Learning & Recommended Resources
Learning can be an important part of the counseling process. The resources gathered here include books, guided journals, trusted websites, educational organizations, and other materials that may help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and the experiences you are working through.
These resources are offered as a starting point rather than a substitute for individualized professional care. Not every resource will be the right fit for every person, and you are always welcome to talk with me about whether a particular resource may be helpful for your needs.
Relationships, Boundaries & Relational Healing
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents
Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD
About the book:
A foundational guide to understanding how emotionally immature or unavailable parents can shape adult relationships, self-doubt, emotional loneliness, and the tendency to take on too much responsibility. It also offers a framework for healing, responding differently, and building healthier relationships.
Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents
Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD
About the book:
A practical guide for recognizing emotionally immature relationship patterns, establishing healthier boundaries, and reclaiming confidence in your own thoughts, feelings, and needs.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?: Surviving a Relationship with a Narcissist
Ramani Durvasula, PhD
About the book:
A realistic guide for understanding narcissistic relationships and navigating the difficult question of whether to remain in or leave one, with strategies for protecting well-being and reclaiming a more authentic life.
The New Codependency: Help and Guidance for Today’s Generation
Melody Beattie
About the book:
An updated exploration of codependency that helps readers distinguish healthy caring from patterns such as rescuing, controlling, overfunctioning, and neglecting their own needs.
The Let Them Theory
Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins
About the book:
A practical approach to letting go of attempts to control other people’s opinions, reactions, and choices so you can redirect your energy toward your own goals, decisions, relationships, and well-being.
It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People
Ramani Durvasula, PhD
About the book:
A guide to recognizing narcissistic relationship patterns and healing from chronic invalidation, gaslighting, trauma bonds, and self-blame while rebuilding boundaries and a stronger sense of self.
Addiction & Recovery
Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men
Anonymous
About the book:
A collection of daily meditations for men focused on recovery, emotional awareness, relationships, spirituality, integrity, and building a more balanced life.
Perfect Daughters: Adult Daughters of Alcoholics
Robert J. Ackerman, PhD
About the book:
An exploration of the perfectionism, over-responsibility, relationship patterns, and struggles with self-worth that can develop in women who grew up in families affected by alcoholism.
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
Gabor Maté, MD
About the book:
A compassionate exploration of addiction that examines the connections among pain, trauma, development, relationships, and addictive behavior while challenging shame-based views of substance use.
Parenting and Family
Parenting with a Toxic Partner: Helping Our Kids Survive and Thrive Amidst Emotional Abuse
Renee Swanson
About the book:
A resource for parents navigating emotionally harmful co-parenting dynamics, with an emphasis on helping children build emotional strength, feel supported, and develop a greater sense of safety.
The Incredible Years: A Trouble-Shooting Guide for Parents of Children Aged 2–8 Years
Carolyn Webster-Stratton, PhD
About the book:
A practical parenting guide focused on strengthening the parent-child relationship, preventing behavior problems, and helping young children develop social, emotional, and academic skills.
Guided Journals
The Better Boundaries Guided Journal
Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW
About the journal:
A guided journal for identifying your needs, practicing healthier boundaries, communicating more confidently, and reducing patterns of people-pleasing and over-responsibility.
The Self-Compassion Daily Journal
Diana Hill, PhD
About the journal:
An evidence-informed journal designed to help soften self-criticism, build greater self-compassion, and develop a kinder, more accepting relationship with yourself.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents Guided Journal
Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD
About the journal:
A companion resource with reflective writing exercises focused on strengthening self-awareness, reconnecting with your authentic needs and feelings, and developing healthier, more reciprocal relationships.
Trusted Websites & Organizations
The organizations below offer educational information, tools, and resources related to mental health, trauma, recovery, neurodivergence, and emotional well-being. External resources are provided for educational purposes and may change over time
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
A professional organization dedicated to EMDR therapy. EMDRIA offers information about how EMDR works, what clients can expect from treatment, research and educational resources, and a directory for locating EMDR-trained therapists.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
A reliable source of mental health information from the National Institutes of Health, including information about mental health conditions, treatments, therapies, research, statistics, and educational fact sheets.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A federal resource for mental health and substance-use information, recovery resources, treatment education, and tools for locating mental health and addiction treatment services.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
A national mental health organization offering education, peer and family support, community programs, informational resources, and connections to local NAMI organizations and support groups.