A Therapist’s Top Three Recommended Resources
If you happen to be on a journey of personal growth and self-empowerment, here are three titles I highly recommend to help you along the way.
#1: "Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice"
What it is: a 3 hour recording of Brené Brown's 2017 presentation about using the process from her book "Rising Strong" to cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and others.
Why I recommend it: I have personally listened to this recording more times than I can count, each time taking away something new that I can apply in my personal life. In the vulnerable way Brené Brown tells her stories, she helps listeners learn how to find a meaningful way through the messiness of life ("embrace the suck") and provides tools to derive more spiritual fulfillment from each day.
If you're fairly new to the treasure trove that is everything Brené Brown, these are two other titles I would also recommend looking up:
• "The Power of Vulnerability" (20min) - her first TED Talk that quickly went viral
• "Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart" - a 5-part docuseries streaming on HBO Max
#2: "Untamed"
What it is: a candid memoir by Glennon Doyle (bonus: the audiobook is read by the author) about how she learned to listen to herself, embrace authenticity, and create healthier relationships with herself and those she loves.
Why I recommend it: I've spent countless hours re-listening to this audiobook because it's funny, soulful, and touches on so many important life lessons including self-acceptance, listening to your intuition, holding healthy boundaries, and self-empowerment. I think people from all different backgrounds can find encouragement from this book to break free from unhelpful societal expectations and live more fulfilling, authentic lives.
#3: "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents"
What it is: a book by Dr. Lindsay Gibson about the profound effects of being raised by emotionally immature parents and how we can heal from the resulting neglect.
Why I recommend it: This book is transformative! That being said, it is NOT a "weekend read" kind of book; it has a tendency to elicit a lot of uncomfortable emotions, so please take it 10 minutes at a time with mindful breaks in between if you decide to pick it up. Dr. Gibson helps us recognize how our parents' emotional limitations have nothing to do with our individual lovability. She also provides us with practical strategies for navigating healthier relationships moving forward.
