I often suggest videos or books to clients to supplement or compliment our counselling work. Here is a list of the resources I most frequently recommend (click item to follow link)
Perinatal Mental Health
Books
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleiman
This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman
What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Alexandra Sacks and Catherine Birndorf
The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook: Practical Skills to Help You Overcome Anxiety, Worry, Panic Attacks, Obsessions, and Compulsions by Kevin Gyoerkow and Pamela Wiegartz
Podcasts
Web Resources
Postpartum Support International
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Line
The Birth of a Mother (New York Times Article by Alexandra Sacks)
Postpartum Pact (Postpartum Stress Centre/Karen Kleiman)
A Note to Dads (Postpartum Stress Centre/Karen Kleiman) applicable to all non-birthing partners but uses heternormitive language
Is Breast Always Best (Postpartum Stress Centre/Karen Kleiman)
Birth Trauma
Birth Trauma: 5 Women Share Their Experiences (Video from The Birth Trauma Association)
What is EMDR Therapy (from EMDRIA)
Experiencing EMDR Therapy (from EMDRIA)
Body Image & Disordered Eating
Books
More Than A Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament by Lexie Kite and Lindsay Kite
The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor
Living with Your Body and Other Things You Hate: How to Let Go of Your Struggle with Body Image Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Emily K. Sandoz and Troy DuFrene
The F*ck It Diet: Eating Should Be Easy by Caroline DoonerIntuitive Eating, 4th Edition: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating by Christy Harrison
Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Lindo Bacon
Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too by Jenni Schaefer
8 Keys To Recovery From an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies From Therapeutic Practice And Personal Experience by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb
Podcasts
Web Resources
Health at Every Size Approach (from ASADH)
The Problem with Poodle Science (video from ASADH)
Self Esteem
Books
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive by Kristin Neff
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown**
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown**
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown **
Videos
Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability **
Brene Brown: Listening to Shame **
Kristin Neff: The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion
Web resources
VIA Character Strengths Survey
Setting Personal Boundaries Blog Post
Self-Compassion Guided Imagery Exercises
Other Women’s Mental Health
Books
Come As You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski
Taking Sexy Back: How to Own Your Sexuality and Create the Relationships You Want by Alexandra Solomon
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger by Soraya Chemaly
Relationships
Books
Loving Bravely: Twenty Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want by Alexandra Solomon
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman and Nan Silver
Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman*
Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay: Decide Whether to Stay In or Get Out of Your Relationship by Mira Kirshenbaum
Healing from Infidelity: The Divorce Busting Guide To Rebuilding your Marriage After an Affair by Michele Weiner-Davis
The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel
After the Affair: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding trust when a partner has been unfaithful by Janis A. Spring
Videos
Brene Brown: Anatomy of Trust **
Esther Perel: The Secret to Desire in a Long Term Relationship
Esther Perel: Rethinking Infidelity... a talk for anyone who has ever loved
Podcasts
Small Things Often by The Gottman Institute
Reimagining Love by Alexandra Solomon
* While many clients resonate with the theory of Love Languages, there have been reports of Gary Chapman sharing homophobic views. I endorse the theory, not the man.
**Brene Brown's work resonates with many clients. There are many areas in which she is groundbreaking in her work and her ability to make it mainstream. That said, she is not without criticism. Some of her work contains fatphobic comments and therefore she might not be a safe person for everyone and contributes to the status quo of fatphobia in society.