Recommended Reading

Boundaries offers clear, practical guidance on setting healthy limits in relationships, work, and faith. Drawing from Christian principles and psychological insight, Cloud and Townsend help readers understand personal responsibility, overcome guilt, and navigate conflict. The book addresses common struggles like people-pleasing and burnout, offering tools for emotional and relational growth. With relatable examples and actionable steps, it’s a valuable resource for clients in therapy and those seeking personal development. Highly recommended for anyone learning to say no without guilt and yes to a healthier life. A foundational read for emotional and relational well-being. 

Changes That Heal offers a compassionate, biblically grounded approach to emotional and spiritual growth. Dr. Henry Cloud outlines four key areas of healing: bonding with others, setting boundaries, accepting both the good and bad in ourselves and others, and taking responsibility for our lives. Through practical insights and relatable examples, Cloud helps readers understand the roots of emotional pain and how lasting change is possible. This book is especially helpful for clients working through past wounds, unhealthy patterns, or identity struggles. A highly recommended resource for personal growth and healing in the context of faith and counseling. 

Codependent No More is a foundational resource for understanding and overcoming codependency. Melody Beattie compassionately explores how caring for others can become unhealthy when it leads to neglecting one’s own needs. Through personal stories, practical tools, and reflective exercises, Beattie guides readers toward reclaiming their identity, setting boundaries, and fostering self-care. This book is especially valuable for clients in relationships affected by addiction, dysfunction, or control issues. It encourages emotional freedom and healthier patterns of relating. A powerful and accessible guide for anyone seeking healing from codependent behaviors and a must-read for personal and relational growth in therapy.

The Conquering Codependency Workbook is an easy-to-use and supportive guide for anyone who wants to create healthier, more balanced relationships. It helps readers recognize patterns of codependency, understand where they come from, and learn practical ways to set boundaries and build confidence. The workbook includes simple exercises and reflections that make the process feel clear and manageable. Written with warmth and encouragement, it invites readers to grow at their own pace while gaining tools for lasting change. A great resource for anyone looking to strengthen self-worth and develop more fulfilling, connected relationships. 

Stay in Your Lane by Kevin A. Thompson offers down-to-earth, faith-informed guidance for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or pressured to overperform. Thompson uses the metaphor of traffic lanes to help readers identify where their focus and energies belong — staying in their own “lane” rather than being distracted by comparison, others’ expectations, or past regrets. With short essays, reflection prompts, and gentle reminders, this book encourages emotional clarity, peace, and purposeful living. It’s especially helpful for clients coping with anxiety, seeking direction, or trying to practice healthier boundaries. A practical, refreshingly simple read that inspires doing less but living more. 

The Best of You by Alison Cook is a compassionate and empowering book that helps readers discover their true identity beyond people-pleasing, perfectionism, and unhealthy patterns. Blending personal stories, faith-based wisdom, and practical tools, Cook guides readers toward healing, setting boundaries, and embracing their God-given worth. The book encourages honest self-reflection while offering hope and encouragement for lasting growth. With its approachable style and relatable examples, it speaks to anyone seeking freedom from old struggles and a deeper sense of purpose. This book is a valuable resource for clients who want to strengthen self-awareness, relationships, and overall emotional well-being. 

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller is a short but powerful book that invites readers to experience true freedom by shifting the focus away from constant self-evaluation. Keller explains how much of our stress, insecurity, and striving comes from being overly concerned with how we measure up in the eyes of others—or even ourselves. Drawing on biblical wisdom, he shows that lasting peace comes from finding identity and value in God’s love rather than performance or approval. Accessible and encouraging, this book offers practical insight for anyone seeking greater confidence, joy, and relief from the pressure of self-focus. 

The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson is a thoughtful and compassionate exploration of how shame shapes our lives, relationships, and sense of self. Blending neuroscience, psychology, and faith, Thompson explains how shame disrupts connection and keeps us from living fully. He offers practical tools and hopeful insights for recognizing shame’s voice and replacing it with truth, grace, and healthier patterns of relating. Through stories and gentle guidance, the book invites readers into healing and deeper connection with themselves, others, and God. A valuable resource for anyone seeking freedom from shame and a more wholehearted, authentic way of living. 

Try Softer by Aundi Kolber is a gentle and encouraging guide for anyone feeling weighed down by stress, trauma, or the pressure to “push through.” With warmth and compassion, Kolber invites readers to move away from harsh self-criticism and instead learn how to listen to their bodies, honor their emotions, and practice kindness toward themselves. Blending personal stories, practical exercises, and insights from faith and psychology, she offers tools for healing and resilience. This book is especially helpful for clients who want to find healthier ways to cope, set boundaries, and experience greater peace and freedom in daily life.

Created for Connection by Dr. Sue Johnson is a warm and practical guide to building stronger, more secure relationships. Based on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the book helps couples understand the deep need for emotional connection and how disconnection can create cycles of conflict or distance. Through real-life stories, exercises, and clear explanations, Johnson shows how partners can repair hurts, rebuild trust, and nurture lasting closeness. Written in an accessible and encouraging way, it gives couples practical tools to strengthen their bond. This book is an excellent resource for clients seeking deeper intimacy, healthier communication, and a more loving partnership. 

From Broken Vows to Healed Hearts by Rebecca L. Mitchell is a gentle, faith-centered devotional guide for anyone navigating divorce and its aftermath. Over twelve chapters, Mitchell walks readers through the stages of grief, loneliness, guilt, forgiveness, hope, and restoration. Each chapter is structured with five days of Scripture readings, reflections, journaling prompts, and prayer, creating space for honest emotion and spiritual growth. Mitchell combines her own experience, gracious honesty, and encouragement to help readers realize that brokenness is a stage—not an identity. This book offers hope, comfort, and practical tools for healing, for individuals or those in small groups. 

Words to Love By is a heartfelt book that highlights the power of kind, affirming words in building strong and healthy family relationships. Using simple stories and practical examples, Walton shows how words can either hurt or heal, and they encourages families to practice speaking in ways that nurture love, respect, and connection. The book is easy to read and accessible for clients of all ages, making it especially helpful for parents and caregivers who want to model positive communication. This resource offers gentle wisdom and practical tools for creating a more supportive and loving home environment. 

The Faithful and True Workbook by Mark Laaser is a practical and supportive resource for individuals seeking healing from sexual addiction and its impact on relationships. It offers structured exercises, reflective questions, and spiritual insights to guide readers through the recovery process. The workbook encourages honest self-examination, accountability, and the development of healthier patterns, while grounding the journey in hope and faith. Written with compassion and clarity, it balances the reality of recovery challenges with encouragement for lasting change. This resource is an excellent tool for clients looking for structure, guidance, and encouragement in their healing journey. 

Facing Heartbreak is a compassionate and practical workbook designed to support partners of those struggling with sexual addiction. It helps readers process the pain of betrayal, understand the impact of addiction, and begin the journey of healing. Through guided exercises, reflections, and educational insights, the book provides tools for coping with overwhelming emotions, setting healthy boundaries, and rebuilding a sense of safety and self-worth. Written with empathy and clarity, it normalizes the difficult experiences partners face while offering hope for recovery. This resource is ideal for clients seeking guidance, validation, and a pathway toward healing. 

Unwanted by Jay Stringer is a powerful and compassionate book that explores the deeper stories behind unwanted sexual behaviors. Rather than focusing on shame or quick fixes, Stringer invites readers to understand how past experiences, trauma, and unmet needs shape current struggles. Drawing on research, personal stories, and therapeutic insights, he offers a pathway to healing that emphasizes curiosity, self-compassion, and lasting change. The book encourages readers to face their struggles honestly while discovering greater freedom and purpose. This resource is especially helpful for clients seeking hope, understanding, and practical tools for overcoming destructive patterns in their lives. 

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen A. Jenson is a clear, age-appropriate resource designed to help children understand what pornography is and what to do if they see it. The book uses simple language and helpful analogies—like comparing the “thinking brain” and “feeling brain”—to explain how porn can trick the brain, and it offers a memorable action plan for children to “turn, run, and tell.” It’s sensitive without shaming, enabling open discussion between parent and child, and equips young readers with tools of protection and trust. [ages 6-11]

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds by Kristen A. Jenson is a gentle, age-appropriate picture book designed for children ages 3–6, helping them understand what to do if they see something uncomfortable or inappropriate. Using clear language, the book introduces the idea of “good pictures” and “bad pictures” in ways young kids can grasp, without shame. It provides a simple action plan—Turn, Run, Tell—and reassures children that if they ever see a bad picture, it’s not their fault. With helpful illustrations and a caregiver’s guide, this book makes a difficult topic approachable and practical for families. [ages 3-6]

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley is a faith-filled, practical guide for parents who want to turn ordinary family life into moments of spiritual formation. Bridging theology with day-to-day rhythms, Earley takes readers through waking, mealtimes, discipline, screen time, bedtime, play, work, and more. Each chapter ends with actionable patterns, prayers, or liturgies that families can begin using immediately. Honest about the messiness of parenting, he encourages grace as much as consistency. This book is ideal for clients wanting to build healthier, more intentional routines that shape both character and connection. 

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish is a timeless, practical guide for parents and caregivers who want to improve communication with children. It teaches empathetic listening, respectful expression, and clear, effective discipline—without yelling or shaming. Using concrete examples, role-plays, and exercises, the authors help adults see how acknowledging children’s feelings can lead to better cooperation, trust, and emotional safety. The ideas are accessible for all types of families, and many readers report noticeable changes almost immediately. Recommended for anyone wanting more connection, calm, and understanding in their parenting approach. 

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber & Julie King is a warm, practical guide for parents, caregivers, and anyone who works with young children. It focuses on communication strategies tailored to toddlers through early elementary age, helping adults acknowledge children’s feelings, use play, offer choices, and foster cooperation without threats or harsh discipline. The book is organized around real-life challenges—bedtime struggles, food battles, tantrums, grocery runs—with clear examples, illustrations, and stories. It also includes guidance for children with sensory or developmental differences. This is a helpful tool for client-families seeking gentler, respectful, and more connected ways of relating to young kids. 

Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids: Feeling at Home in One Home or Two by Isolina Ricci is a thoughtful and practical guide written especially for children navigating the separation, divorce, or remarriage of their parents. It offers age-appropriate explanations, reproducible worksheets, exercises, and “train your brain” ideas to help kids manage schedules, emotions, house rules, and stress. Ricci gently affirms that kids are not to blame, encourages them to stay connected with both parents, and helps them find stability even when family life feels unpredictable. With clear, empathic language, this book provides tools for resilience, understanding, and hope during a difficult transition. 

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch is a thoughtful guide for families feeling overwhelmed by the digital age. With research from Barna and vivid personal stories, Crouch helps readers see that using devices isn’t the problem—it’s when screens take over our priorities. He offers ten concrete “Tech-Wise Commitments,” from setting rhythms of work and rest to making car rides conversation time, to help reestablish values like creativity, presence, and relationship. The book isn’t about tech-avoidance, but about living intentionally. Recommended for clients seeking a healthier balance between technology and family life. 

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson is an insightful guide blending child neuroscience with practical parenting tools. It presents 12 strategies—like “Connect then Redirect” and “Name It to Tame It”—that help parents support emotional growth, strengthen reasoning (the “upstairs brain”), and calm overwhelm (the “downstairs brain”). The authors use vivid examples, developmentally appropriate tips, and summary charts to show how everyday moments can become opportunities for connection and brain integration. It’s especially beneficial for parents or caregivers wanting to improve behavior, emotional awareness, and relationship quality with children ages 0-12 years.  

You’re Not Alone: Learn Your Emotions & Connect to the Psalms by Talitha Frankenberger is a gentle, faith-based tool designed for young children and their caregivers to explore emotions together. Through simple, relatable scenarios, it helps children name feelings, understand what emotions look like, and feel safe enough to share with a trusted adult. The book links these moments with passages from the Psalms, offering spiritual comfort and reminding readers that they are seen and supported. Caregivers will appreciate the prompted questions and emotional validation that foster connection. Recommended for families wanting to build emotional awareness, honesty, and faith-filled resilience. 

Grief Day by Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living with Loss by Jan Warner is a compassionate companion for anyone walking through grief. Organized into 52 weekly themes—such as guilt, loneliness, and “things left unsaid”—it delivers 365 brief reflections, meaningful quotes, and gentle guidance. Each week also includes a healing exercise to help readers process emotions, foster coping skills, and gradually make space for peace alongside their pain. Warner’s style is validating and honest, giving permission to grieve without rush or shame. This book is especially helpful for clients wanting daily support, structure, and hope in the long journey of loss. 

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk is a profoundly informative book for anyone wanting to understand how trauma affects not just the mind, but the body. It explores how traumatic experiences imprint on our neural architecture, influencing emotional patterns, stress responses, and bodily sensations. Drawing on years of research and real-life case studies, van der Kolk offers both deep insight into how trauma persists and hope through various healing pathways—such as mindfulness, movement, and body-based therapies. The text is dense and sometimes intense, so clients might prefer to read it slowly or with professional support. 

The Pain Management Workbook by Rachel Zoffness is a supportive, easy-to-use guide for anyone living with chronic pain. It explains how pain affects both the body and the mind, and teaches practical skills to help reduce suffering. Using tools from mindfulness, stress reduction, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the book gives step-by-step exercises for managing pain, improving sleep, calming the nervous system, and reconnecting with meaningful activities. Readers are encouraged to create a personal plan that fits their own needs. This workbook is an empowering resource for clients who want hope, strength, and practical strategies for daily life. 

The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Dan B. Allender is a deeply honest and compassionate resource for those seeking healing from past sexual abuse. Allender blends psychological insight with spiritual truth, helping readers understand not only what has happened to them, but also how trauma shapes self-worth, relationships, and faith. The book acknowledges the pain, shame, guilt, and confusion that survivors often carry, while offering hope through reflection, responsible action, and grace. It’s a challenging read—some sections are intense—but ultimately grounded in a message that recovery and restoration are possible. 

The Wounded Heart Companion Workbook by Dan Allender for use with the Wounded Heart book

Dan Allender’s Healing the Wounded Heart is a compassionate and insightful guide for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and those who walk alongside them. With honesty and sensitivity, Allender addresses the deep wounds of trauma while offering a path toward hope, restoration, and freedom. Grounded in faith yet accessible to all, the book combines clinical wisdom with spiritual truth, helping readers confront pain without shame. Allender’s approach empowers survivors to name their experiences, understand their impact, and embrace healing as a courageous journey. Highly recommended for clients, counselors, and support groups seeking meaningful tools for recovery and growth.