NOTE:
The following books and corresponding links to Amazon are NOT affiliate links, but provided for your convenience.
Recommended books are books that I’ve personally read. Suggested books are books that I’ve not yet read but have excellent reviews.
Be aware that some books will share stories that may be triggering for the reader. If you have a concern, please go to Amazon and read the reviews for guidance in making your decision to read.
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Recommended Books
A seminal work on how trauma affects the body and mind, with insights into therapies like EMDR and somatic experiencing. Widely praised for its accessibility and depth. (4.8 stars, 80,000+ reviews)
A survivor-focused guide to understanding and healing C-PTSD, with practical tools for managing emotional flashbacks and self-criticism. A staple in trauma recovery. (4.8 stars, 10,000+ reviews)
Offers exercises and mindfulness techniques to heal C-PTSD, emphasizing somatic and cognitive strategies. (4.7 stars, 2,000+ reviews)
Explores betrayal trauma theory, explaining why people deny or minimize betrayal in relationships or institutions. Offers insights for survivors of abuse and manipulation to process and heal. (4.6 stars, 300+ reviews on Amazon)
A practical guide to recognizing and recovering from narcissistic abuse, with tools to navigate gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional confusion. Emphasizes rebuilding clarity and self-worth. (4.7 stars, 1,400+ reviews on Amazon)
A compassionate dialogue on how childhood trauma shapes us, with practical recovery insights. Accessible and validating. (4.8 stars, 25,000+ reviews)
Levine’s earlier work on how the body holds trauma, with a focus on natural healing processes. (4.7 stars, 4,000+ reviews)
Explores how ACEs impact health, with scientific insights and recovery tools. Engaging and hopeful. (4.7 stars, 2,500+ reviews)
Examines generational trauma and its epigenetic effects, with tools to break cycles. (4.6 stars, 3,000+ reviews)
Explores subtle narcissistic abuse, including gaslighting and emotional neglect. (4.7 stars, 1,200+ reviews)
Examines abusive behaviors, including gaslighting, with insights for survivors. (4.8 stars, 5,000+ reviews)
Suggested Books
A foundational text on trauma, introducing C-PTSD concepts and recovery phases. Still relevant for its historical and clinical insights. (4.7 stars, 3,000+ reviews)
Introduces Somatic Experiencing to release trauma stored in the body. Includes practical exercises. (4.6 stars, 1,500+ reviews)
A practical workbook with exercises for PTSD symptom management, useful for self-help or therapy. (4.6 stars, 1,000+ reviews)
A newer guide to healing childhood PTSD with culturally sensitive, practical strategies. (4.8 stars, 500+ reviews)
A blend of memoir and history, exploring PTSD’s impact and treatments. Strong on post-traumatic growth. (4.5 stars, 600+ reviews)
Addresses the invisible trauma of emotional neglect, with strategies to rebuild self-worth. (4.6 stars, 4,000+ reviews)
Links childhood trauma to physical and mental health, offering healing practices. (4.7 stars, 1,200+ reviews)
Links childhood trauma to physical and mental health, offering healing practices. (4.7 stars, 1,200+ reviews)
Helps readers understand the impact of emotionally unavailable parents and set boundaries. (4.8 stars, 10,000+ reviews)
A classic on healing from abusive or neglectful parenting, with practical advice. (4.7 stars, 2,000+ reviews)
Focuses on the trauma of maternal disconnection, with steps to heal. (4.7 stars, 1,000+ reviews)
Explores how childhood repression affects adult life, with a focus on emotional abuse. (4.6 stars, 1,500+ reviews)
Links chronic stress and trauma to illness, with a trauma-informed lens. (4.7 stars, 3,500+ reviews)
Maté’s groundbreaking book on ADHD, linking it to childhood stress and trauma. Offers compassionate healing strategies. (4.7 stars, 2,000+ reviews)
Expands on trauma’s societal and personal impacts, with insights relevant to ADHD and C-PTSD. (4.8 stars, 4,000+ reviews)
Explores addiction as a response to trauma, blending patient stories, science, and policy critique. (4.4 stars, ~2,000 reviews)
A classic on ADHD, touching on emotional challenges that overlap with trauma. (4.6 stars, 3,000+ reviews)
Connects childhood emotional wounds to adult struggles, including ADHD-like symptoms. (4.6 stars, 800+ reviews)
A lifeline for those raised by narcissistic mothers, with tools to rebuild self-esteem. (4.7 stars, 4,000+ reviews)
Focuses on healing from narcissistic and sociopathic abuse, including gaslighting. (4.7 stars, 3,500+ reviews)
Essays on overcoming narcissistic abuse, with a focus on gaslighting and manipulation. (4.7 stars, 1,500+ reviews)
Guides survivors through recovering from psychological abuse, with a focus on covert tactics. (4.8 stars, 1,000+ reviews)
A workbook with exercises to recognize and heal from gaslighting in relationships. (4.7 stars, 800+ reviews)
Focuses on navigating relationships with borderline or narcissistic traits, addressing emotional abuse. (4.7 stars, 3,000+ reviews)
A classic on recognizing and escaping verbal and emotional abuse. (4.6 stars, 2,000+ reviews)