Five Books for Trauma Survivors
I get asked for book recommendations ALL the time - consider this the first in a series of recommendations!
These are all books that I would recommend to trauma survivors who want to better understand their experiences and learn more about what the path to healing looks like.
Note: I am using Amazon affiliate links in this post as a way of supporting my work - please feel free to search for the titles if you aren’t comfortable with that! No hard feelings. :)
This is a classic in the trauma healing space for a reason. Herman beautifully weaves in the stories of survivors while providing a clear guide on the steps to heal from trauma.
Dann’s workbook is easy to digest and full of practical skills with the reasoning behind them. This would be a great pick for folks who want a workable text that will guide them through specific practices.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is one of the most trauma-informed approaches to counseling that I have encountered and you can absolutely apply the principles and perspectives on your own. I incorporate techniques from IFS with almost all of my clients and reading Schwartz changed the way I understand myself and others.
This book is intense, dense, and thorough. If you’re scientifically-minded or deeply curious about the scientific evidence behind trauma and its impact, this book is the right choice for you.
This book is a solid introduction to EMDR therapy (which I use regularly with clients) and can help you to better understand the connection between your past experiences and your present behavior.