Resources

Explore this curated collection of books on attachment, complex relational trauma, somatic therapy, nervous-system regulation, emotional well-being, and rebuilding self-trust. These resources may be especially helpful if you understand your patterns but still find yourself people-pleasing, overfunctioning, shutting down, or losing touch with what you feel and need. Use these recommended reads to deepen your understanding of protective patterns and strengthen your connection with yourself and others. Check your local library for availability, or purchase a copy through the links below!

Check Your Local Library

Access a wide range of free e-book resources through your library! Check below to see which digital platform your local library utilizes and start checking out books today!

Libby
CloudLibrary

Need a Library Card?

Clients in their hometowns can access their libraries for free with proof of residency. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of address to any branch. Use interlibrary loan to borrow from other counties.

If you want expanded access, some libraries offer annual non-resident cards for a small yearly fee). My favorite libraries are Los Angeles Public Library, Houston Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and the DC Public Library.

Most libraries offer free access to digital books and audiobooks through the Libby app (by OverDrive). Once you have a library card, download Libby on your phone, tablet, or computer, sign in with your library card number, and start borrowing eBooks or audiobooks instantly. Libby syncs across devices, works offline, and includes many titles on trauma, self-help, and somatic healing.

The Houston Public Library offers free library cards to all Texas residents with a valid I.D.

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Books For Purchase*

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book titled 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Bessel Van Der Kolk. The cover features an illustration of a black human figure with a red dot on its chest, surrounded by yellow starburst shapes, set against a blue background with orange section headers.

The Body Keeps the Score

Cover of a book titled 'In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction' by Gabor Maté, featuring a white background, red ribbon-like design, and quotes from Naomi Klein and Johann Hari.

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction

A hardcover book titled 'Coping with Trauma: Hope Through Understanding' by Jon G. Allen, Ph.D. with a cover design featuring abstract patterns and soft earth tones.
Book titled "How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving" by David Richo, celebrating its 20th anniversary edition.

Coping with Trauma: Hope Through Understanding

How to Be an Adult in Relationships

Cover of a book titled "The Dance of Connection" by Harriet Lerner, Ph.D., with an illustration of a woman holding a string attached to a man flying like a kite in the sky, mountains in the background.

The Dance of Connection: How to Talk to Someone When You’re Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated,Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate

Book cover titled 'Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect' by Jonice Webb PhD with Christine Musello PsyD, featuring endorsement from Terrence Real.

Running on Empty: How to Overcome Your Childhood Neglect

Cover of a book titled 'Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy' by Jessica Fern.

Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy

Book titled "When the Body Says No" by Gabor Maté, MD, with subtitle "The Cost of Hidden Stress" and a quote from Dr. Peter Levine on the cover.

When the Body Says No

Cover of a workbook titled "The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma" by Arielle Schwartz, PhD, with a subtitle about body-based activities to regulate the nervous system
Book titled 'No Bad Parts' by Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, with a cover illustration of a line drawing of a face and hands in yellow, orange, green, and teal abstract shapes.

The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma

No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model

Book cover titled 'Daring Greatly' by Brené Brown, featuring a colorful title and subtitle about vulnerability and courage.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Book cover titled 'The Lies We Tell Ourselves' by Jon Frederickson, MSW, with subtitle 'How to Face the Truth, Accept Yourself, and Create a Better Life.' The cover features a watercolor painting of yellow trees.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves: How to Face the Truth, Accept Yourself, and Create a Better Life

A book titled 'Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga' by Arielle Schwartz with a watercolor leaf design on the cover.
Book titled 'The Myth of Normal' by Gabor Maté with Daniel Maté, featuring a colorful cover with an abstract human face.

Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga: Therapeutic Practices for Emotional Health

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

Workbooks

A book titled "The Nervous System Workbook" by Deb Dana, LCSW, with a beige cover and wavy lines, featuring practical exercises for anxiety and safety using polyvagal theory.

YouTube and Video Learning Resources

The Nervous System Workbook

Cover of a book titled 'The Audacity to Be You' by Brad M. Reedy, with a yellow background, a dead branch, and red and white text.

The Audacity to Be You: Learning to Love Your Horrible, Rotten Self

Cover of the book titled "Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation" by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., with a quote praising the book at the top.

Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

Cover of the book titled "It Didn't Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle" by Mark Wolynn, featuring illustrations of two human profiles with DNA helix connecting them and a silver Nautilus Book Awards Winner medal.

It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

Book titled "The Nervous System Reset" by Jessica Maguire with a human nervous system illustration on the cover.

The Nervous System Reset

Book titled 'Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving' by Pete Walker, with a dark cover and a colorful mosaic image in the center.

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving

Book titled 'The Polyvagal Theory Handbook' featuring a profile of a woman with a glowing, abstract neural pattern over her head, orange and yellow hues, with a subtitle about trauma-informed polyvagal approach to PTSD recovery, anxiety relief, inflammation reduction, and nervous system regulation.

The Polyvagal Theory Handbook

  • Polyvagal theory technique guided exercise

  • Polyvagal ventral vagal grounding exercise

  • Somatic experiencing pendulation practice

  • Somatic tracking and body awareness

  • Window of tolerance explanation

  • Resourcing exercise somatic therapy

  • Nervous system regulation through breath

  • Deb Dana or Peter Levine interviews

  • Somatic Experiencing International channel

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