Here are some suggested therapy and recovery resources, many of which have been helpful for me personally. I plan to update this list from time to time, so check back for any new additions that might interest you. I’ve also included a list of links to various 12-step fellowships. I hope you find something here that supports your recovery journey.
The Language of Letting Go – Melody Beattie
There are not enough great things to say about this book! It’s a daily reader that covers the basics of how to relate to yourself and others in a healthy way. If you’re looking to add a daily reader to your recovery practice, this is a great one to start with.
Strengthening My Recovery– Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families
Each day includes a quote from the ACA Fellowship text followed by some reflection. It is full of gems! It’s applicable to anyone who grew up in a dysfunctional family, even if you aren’t working an ACA program.
In God’s Care – Daily Meditations on Spirituality and Recovery– Hazeldon Meditations
This book is AA based but applicable to anyone in recovery. Another good basic daily reader and one I will return to again and again.
Unspoken Legacy – Claudia Black
Unspoken Legacy is a comprehensive overview of the effects of growing up in an unhealthy family system and what recovery can be like. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to recovery, but those who have been on their journey for years will find it valuable too.
The Soulful Journey of Recovery – Tian Dayton
This is another good overview-type book about growing up in a dysfunctional family. It not only has helpful information but also includes exercises throughout the book to help you think through the content.
True Self Therapy Journal – Beth Ratchford
I created the True Self Therapy Journal to support folks in their therapy process. The Journal is a tool to help you think about how you want to use your sessions, what you’ll take away from each session, and things to work on in between. An intentional focus for the work in and outside of therapy is what makes the difference in your overall process.
The Journal provides a framework that will guide you in your personal growth process, but allows for flexibility for you to use it in a way that works best for you.
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life – Laura McKowen
This gem of a book is beautifully written and provides a window into what early recovery can be like, but also into the richness that ongoing healing and recovery can bring. McKowen’s journey is about recovery from alcoholism, but I think it’s applicable to anyone on a healing path. As she says, we all have a “thing” that’s disruptive to our life, her primary thing was alcohol.
Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety (and Everything Else) – Laura McKowen
Mckowen’s second book is equally as good as her first! I started the audio version and knew pretty quickly I needed a hard copy so I could underline and make notes. Then I was going to take it to the office and realized that I needed to keep it at home so I can refer to it. That’s the kind of book it is. So, so good.
Facing Love Addiction – Pia Mellody
This book offers an explanation of Love Addiction, what recovery looks like, and a perspective on healthy relationships. It also includes practical tools and journaling exercises. It’s a great book for understanding the process of Love Addiction and the childhood trauma at its core.
Ready to Heal: Breaking Free of Addictive Relationships– Kelly McDaniel
Kelly McDaniel has written a book that gets to the heart of Love Addiction—the original attachment wound from childhood. I’ve often had people say to me, “Kelly really gets it and gets me,” when they read this book for the first time. Also, Kelly has a Ready to Heal study guide on her website (the link above will take you to her site).
Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction– Patrick Carnes
Patrick Carnes is a pioneer in the field of sex addiction. Out of the Shadows is a great intro book for those who struggle with sex addiction or know someone who does.
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology and How You Can Heal – Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Based on the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, this book provides a clear, accessible look at the effects of trauma on the body while offering hope for healing.
Mother Hunger: How Adult Daughters Can Understand and Heal from Lost Nurturance, Guidance and Protection – Kelly McDaniel
This book has been a life-changer for so many, including me. Kelly McDaniel gives clear thought and language to the ache that so many of us have. She not only names a deep wound but also explains it so clearly. I read it first for myself (as opposed to as a clinician) and I came to lovingly refer to it as “that damn Mother Hunger book.” 🙂 It’s a hefty read, so take your time with it and have your journal nearby.
The Betrayal Bind: When the Person You Love the Most Hurts You the Worst – Michelle Mays
The Betrayal Bind was written by Michelle Mays and addresses the profound pain of partner betrayal while providing tangible hope for those who have experienced it. I believe it will also resonate with anyone whose primary betrayal stems from childhood. Although the topic is heavy, Michelle balances it beautifully with heart and hope.
The Body Keeps the Score– Bessel van der Kolk
This book offers an in-depth exploration of how trauma affects both the brain and body, highlighting the significance of body-oriented healing methods. While it’s a substantial and thoughtful read, it effectively clarifies the mind-body connection in both experiencing and recovering from trauma. I think this should be on everyone’s trauma recovery reading list.
Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes From and How it Sabotages Our Lives – Pia Mellody
Facing Codependence lays out the foundation of Pia Mellody’s developmental trauma model. Pia describes the symptoms of codependence (What she later referred to as developmental immaturity) where they come from and how to address them. I believe it’s a book that should be a staple on everyone’s recovery bookshelf.
No Bad Parts – Richard Schwartz
If you’re interested in learning about parts work/inner child work, this is a great place to start. And even if you’re familiar with this type of work, it will have something to offer you. I’d been doing inner child work for a long time before I read it, but it helped deepen my understanding of how to work with the different parts inside.
The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse – Wendy Maltz
This is a go-to recommendation for my clients who are sexual trauma survivors. It’s a good balance of information and practical help, all presented in a compassionate and accessible way.
Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life– Emily Nagoski
Another book that I recommend regularly to my clients. Emily Nagoski writes in a conversational style—it’s kind of like you’re chatting with a friend. The book is research based and full of empowering information on women’s sexuality. One of the things I really love about this book is that it normalizes your relationship to your sexual self—whether you struggle with it, are super comfortable with it, and everything in between.
Alcoholics Anonymous – For anyone who would like help with problematic drinking.
Al-Anon – For friends and family members of someone with a drinking problem.
Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families – For adults who grew up in a dysfunctional household that may or may not have included an alcoholic parent.
Love Addicts Anonymous/Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous – For those who have experienced problematic or addictive relationship patterns.
Narcotics Anonymous – For anyone who would like help with problematic drug use.
Recovering Couples Anonymous – For couples who want to experience recovery together and build a healthy connection and emotional intimacy.
Sexaholics Anonymous & Sex Addicts Anonymous – For those who struggle with addiction or dependency with sex and/or pornography use.
S-Anon – For family and friends of sex addicts.
Underearners Anonymous – For anyone who struggles with under-being and staying small (not living into your full self), whether or not you have problems with earning.
This content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy, professional clinical advice or diagnostic purposes. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional about any health condition.