Books & Websites
Scientists, clinicians, spiritual practitioners have written brilliantly about the tools and techniques that reliably lead to our psychological “growing up” and spiritual “waking up,” the integration of paths and practices from Western psychology and Eastern spiritual traditions increasingly validated by modern neuroscience.
My own book, Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being, attempts to integrate all three paradigms. This list is organized by clinical, spiritual, and neuroscience references and updated every six months as new resources become available. May you find these resources helpful.
Clinical
Badenoch, Bonnie, PhD. (2008). Being a Brain Wise Therapist: A Practical Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology. NY: W. W. Norton. www.mindgains.org
Bonanno, George. The End of Trauma: How the New Science of Resilience is Changing How We Think about PTSD. Basic Books, 2021. tc.columbia.edu/ltelab
Bridges, William. (2004) Transition: Making Sense of Life’s Changes. Perseus Books. https://wmbridges.com/
Brown, Brene, PhD. (2010) The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Center City, MN: Hazelden. www.brenebrown.com
Brown, Stuart, M.D. (2009) Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Avery. www.nifplay.org
Bush, Ashley Davis. (2015) Simple Self-Care for Therapists: Restorative Practices to Weave through Your Workday. W.W. Norton. http://www.ashleydavisbush.com/
Carter, Christine, PhD. (2010) Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. NY: Ballantine Books. www.christinecarter.com
Carter, Christine, PhD. (2015) The Sweet Spot: How To Find Your Groove at Home and Work. Ballantine Books. www.christinecarter.com
Choudhury, Shakil. Deep Diversity: Overcoming Us v. Them. Toronto: Between the Lines, 2015. animaleadership.com/about/team/shakil-choudhury
Csikszentmihalyi, M (1991) Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper Collins. positivepsychology.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-father-of-flow
Dana, Deb. The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy. New York: W.W. Norton, 2018. rhythmofregulation.com
Dana, Deb. Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory. Sounds True. 2021. rhythmofregulation.com
Davenport, Leslie. (2009) Healing and Transformation through Guided Imagery . Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts. http://www.lesliedavenport.com/
Dunckley, Victoria, M.D. (2015) Reset Your Child’s Brain. New World Library. http://drdunckley.com/
Dweck, Carol, PhD. (2006) Mindset. Ballantine Books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-71zdXCMU6A
Ecker, Bruce,PhD. (2012) Unlocking the Emotional Brain: Eliminating Symptoms at Their Roots Using Memory Reconsolidation. Routledge. http://www.coherencetherapy.org/
Ekman, Paul, PhD. (2003) Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life. New York: Henry Holt and Company. www.paulekman.com
Fisher, Janina. (2015) Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment. Norton. www.janinafisher.com
Fisher, Janina. Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation. Routledge, 2017. janinafisher.com
Fisher, Janina. Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists. PESI, 2021. janinafisher.com
Fosha, Diana, PhD (2000). The Transforming Power of Affect: A Model for Accelerated Change. New York: Basic Books. www.aedpinstitute.org
Foster, Rick and Hicks, Greg (2004) How We Choose to be Happy. NY, Penguin Group. www.choosetobehappy.com
Frederick, Ron, PhD. (2009) Living Like You Mean It: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. www.cfcliving.com
Frederickson, Barbara, PhD. (2009) Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive. New York: Crown Publishers. positivityratio.com
Gendlin, Eugene. (1996). Focusing-oriented psychotherapy: A manual of the experiential method. www.focusing.org
Gilbert, Daniel (2006) Stumbling on Happiness. Vintage Books. gilbert.socialpsychology.org
Gilbert, Paul, PhD. (2009) The Compassionate Mind. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. www.compassionatemind.co.uk
Gilbert, Paul, Phd. (2014) Mindful Compassion: How the Science of Compassion Can Help You Understand Your Emotions, Live in the Present, and Connect Deeply with Others. New Harbinger Publications. www.compassionatemind.co.uk
Goleman, Daniel, PhD. (2005) Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than I.Q. New York: Bantam Books (10th anniversary edition) www.danielgoleman.info
Goleman, Daniel, PhD. (2006) Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships. NY, Bantam. www.danielgoleman.info
Hayes, Stephen et al. (2004) Mindfulness and Acceptance: Expanding the Cognitive-Behavioral Tradition. New York: Guilford Press. http://www.stevenchayes.com/
Hayes, Stephen et al, editor. (2005) A Practical Guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New York: Springer. http://www.stevenchayes.com/
Henderson, Lynne, PhD. (2011) The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Building Social Confidence: Using Compassion-Focused Therapy to Overcome Shyness and Social Anxiety. New Harbinger Publications. http://www.shyness.com/
Hone, Lucy. Resilient Grieving: Finding Strength and Embracing Life after a Loss That Changes Everything. New York: The Experiment, 2017. ted.com/speakers/lucy_hone
Johnson, Sue, PhD (2004). The Practice of Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, NY, Brunner-Routledge. www.iceeft.com.
Johnson, Sue, PhD (2008) Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. New York: Little, Brown and Company. www.iceeft.com
Kashdan, Todd, PhD. (2014) The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why Being Your Whole Self - Not Just Your “Good” Self - Drives Success and Fulfillment. Hudson Street Press. http://www.toddkashdan.com/
Keltner, Dacher, PhD (2009) Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life. NY, W.W. Norton. www.greatergood.berkeley.edu
Kessler, David: Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. Scribner, 2020. https://grief.com/
Levine, Peter, PhD (2010) In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books. https://traumahealing.org
Lyubomirsky, Sonja, PhD. (2007) The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. New York: Penguin Press. http://drsonja.net/
Ogden, Pat, PhD. (2006) Trauma and the Body: a Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy. New York: W.W. Norton. www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org
Ogden, Pat, PhD. (2015) Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment. Norton. www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org
Paquette, Jonah, PsyD. (2015) Real Happiness: Proven Paths for Contentment, Peace, and Well-Being. PESI http://www.jonahpaquette.com/
Porges, Stephen. The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe. New York: W.W. Norton, 2017 .stephenporges.com
Psychotherapy Networker magazine. www.psychotherapynetworker.org
Real, Terry. Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. Rodale, 2022. https://terryreal.com/
Rosenberg, Marshall, PhD. (2003) Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. http://www.nonviolentcommunication.com/index.htm
Sandberg, Sheryl, and Adam Grant. Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017.
Schiraldi, Glenn. The Resilience Workbook: Essential Skills to Recover from Stress, Trauma, and Adversity. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 2017. newharbinger.com
Schwartz, Richard, PhD. (1995) Internal Family Systems Therapy. New York: Guilford Press. www.selfleadership.org
Schwartz, Richard. No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Sounds True. 2021. soundstrue.com
Seligman, Martin (2002) Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press. www.authentichappiness.com
Siegel, Ronald D. The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary: Finding Happiness Right Where You Are. Guilford, 2022. https://drronsiegel.com/
Southwick, Steven and Charney, Dennis. Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges. Cambridge University Press. 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLsGfEzR_X0
Stern, Daniel. M.D. (2004) The Present Moment in Psychotherapy and Everyday Life. New York: Norton.
Tedeschi, Richard, PhD. and Moore, Bret, PsyD. (2016) The Post-Traumatic Growth Workbook. New Harbinger Publications. https://ptgi.uncc.edu/ptg-research-group/
Turkle, Sherry. (2011) Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Basic Books. http://www.mit.edu/~sturkle/
Turkle, Sherry. (2015) Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. Penguin. http://www.mit.edu/~sturkle/
Van der Kolk, Bessel, M.D. (2015) The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin. www.traumacenter.org
Vieten, Cassandra, PhD and Scammell, Shelley, PsyD. (2015) Spiritual and Religious Competencies in Clinical Practice. New Harbinger Publications. www.noetic.org
Wehrenberg, Margaret. (2008) The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques. W.W. Norton. http://www.margaretwehrenberg.com/
Add Zylowska, Lidia. The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD. Trumpeter Books. 2012. https://lidiazylowska.com/
Spiritual
Barasch, Marc Ian. (2005) Field Notes on the Compassionate Life. Rodale.
Baraz, James, and Alexander, Shoshana (2010) Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness. NY: Bantam. www.awakeningjoy.info
Bennett-Goleman, Tara. (2001) Emotional Alchemy: How the Mind Can Heal the Heart. New York: Harmony Books. tarabennettgoleman.com/emotional-alchemy
Boorstein, Sylvia, PhD. (2008) Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life. NY: HarperCollins. http://www.sylviaboorstein.com/
Brach, Tara, PhD. (2003) Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha. New York: Bantam Dell. www.tarabrach.com
Brach, Tara, PhD. (2012) True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart. New York: Bantam. www.tarabrach.com
Brach, Tara. Radical Compassion. Penguin Random House, 2020. www.tarabrach.com
Chodron, Pema. (2010) Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears. Boston: Shambala. pemachodronfoundation.org/
Coleman, Mark. (2016) Make Peace with Your Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Your Inner Critic. New World Library. markcoleman.org/
Cope, Stephen. (2000) Yoga and the Quest for the True Self. New York: Bantam. www.kripalu.org
Cullen, Margaret, and Gonzalo Brito Pons PhD. (2015) The Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook. New Harbinger Publications. www.newharbinger.com
Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. New York: Penguin Random House, 2016. Use link: https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/28397/the-book-of-joy
Desmond, Tim. (2016) Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy: Mindfulness-Based Practices for Healing and Transformation. W.W. Norton. www.timdesmond.net
Epstein, Mark, M.D. (1998) Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart. New York: Broadway Press. http://markepsteinmd.com/
Flowers, Steve and Stahl, Bob. (2011) Living with Your Heart Wide Open: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Unworthiness, Inadequacy and Shame. New Harbinger Publications. www.newharbinger.com/
Germer, Christopher, PhD editor. (2005) Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. New York: Guildford Press. www,chrisgermer.com
Germer, Christopher, PhD. (2009) The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion. NY, Guilford Press. www.chrisgermer.com
Germer, Christopher, PhD and Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD. (2012) Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy: Deepening Mindfulness in Clinical Practice. New York: Guilford Press. www,chrisgermer.com
Goldstein, Elisha, PhD. (2012) The Now Effect: How This Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life. New York: Atria Books. www.elishagoldstein.com
Goldstein, Elisha, PhD. (2015) Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion. Atria. www.elishaagoldstein.com
Goldstein, Joseph. (2002) One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism. New York: Harper Collins. www.dharma.org
Goleman, Daniel, PhD. (2013) Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence. New York: HarperCollins. www.danielgoleman.info
Greater Good Science Center: The Science of a Meaningful Life. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/
Haas, Michaela, PhD. (2015) Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Breakthroughs. Atria. https://www.michaelahaas.com/
Hobbs, Carolyn (2005). Joy No Matter What: make 3 Simple Choices to Access Your Inner Joy. Boston, Conari Press. https://carolyn-hobbs.com/
Kabat-Zinn, Jon, PhD. (2005) Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness. New York: Hyperion. https://mbsrtraining.com/
Kornfield, Jack, PhD. (2008) Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology. NY, Bantam. jackkornfield.com
Kornfield, Jack. The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace. New York: Bantam, 2002. jackkornfield.com
Kornfield, Jack, PhD. (1993) A Path With Heart: A guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life. New York: Bantam. jackkornfield.com
Lesser, Marc. (2013) Know Yourself, Forget Yourself: Five Truths to Transform Your Work, Relationships, and Everyday Life. New World Library. www.marclesser.net
Makransky, John (2007) Awakening Through Love: Unveiling Your Deepest Goodness. Boston, Wisdom Publications. buddhistinquiry.org/teacher/john-makransky
Neff, Kristin, PhD. (2015) Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. New York: HarperCollins. www.self-compassion.org
O’Donohue, John. (2008) To Bless the Space Between Us. NY, Doubleday. http://www.johnodonohue.com/
Oliver, Mary. (1992) New and Selected Poems. Boston: Beacon Press. http://maryoliver.beacon.org/
Richo, David, PhD. (2002) How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving. Boston: Shambala. www.davericho.com
Richo, David, PhD. (2006) The Five Things We Cannot Change…and the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them. Boston: Shambala. www.davericho.com
Rosen, Kim. (2009) Saved by a Poem: the Transformative Power of Words. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House. www.kimrosen.net
Salzberg, Sharon. (1995) Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Boston: Shambhala. sharonsalzberg.com/compassion-a-way-of-being-in-the-world
Schlitz, Marilyn, PhD, et al. (2007) Living Deeply: The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. www.noetic.org
Segal, Zinder, et al (2002) Mindfulness-based Cognitive-Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse. New York: Guilford Press. http://mbct.com/
Seligman, Martin (2002) Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press. www.authentichappiness.com
Siegel, Ron, PsyD. (2010) The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems. Guildford Press. www.mindfulness-solution.com
Shapiro, Shauna, PhD and Chris White, M.D. (2014) Mindful Discipline: A Loving Approach to Setting Limits and Raising and Emotionally Intelligent Child. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. http://www.drshaunashapiro.com/
Shimoff, Marci, (2008). Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out. NY, Free Press. www.happyfornoreason.com. http://happyfornoreason.com/
Stahl, Bob, PhD and Goldstein, Elisha PhD. (2010) A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook. New Harbinger Publications. https://www.mindfulnessprograms.com/
Watson, G and Batchelor, Stephen, editors. (2000) The Psychology of Awakening: Buddhism, Science, and Our Day-to-Day Lives. York, ME:S. Weiser. http://gaywatson.com/
Welwood, John, PhD. (2000) Toward A Psychology of Awakening. Boston: Shambhala. www.johnwelwood.com
Willard, Chris. Raising Resilience: The Wisdom and Science of Happy Families and Thriving Children. Boulder, CO: Sounds True, 2017. drchristopherwillard.com
Williams, Mark et al. (2007) The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness. New York: Guilford Press. http://franticworld.com/
Neuroscience
Alter, Adam. Irresistible: The Rise of Addiction Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked. New York: Penguin, 2017. https://adamalterauthor.com/
Baniel, Anat. (2009) Move into Life: The Nine Essentials for Lifelong Vitality. New York: Harmony Books. http://www.anatbanielmethod.com/
Begley, Sharon (2007). Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves. NY: Ballantine Books. www.sharonbegley.com
Blackburn, Elizabeth, and Elissa Epel. The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2017. https://amecenter.ucsf.edu/telomere-effect
Cacioppo, John. Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection. W.W. Norton, 2009 youtube.com/watch?v=_0hxl03JoA0
Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. New York: W.<ths>W. Norton, 2011. https://www.nicholascarr.com/
Cozolino, Louis, PhD. (2008) The Healthy Aging Brain: Sustaining Attachment, Attaining Wisdom. W.W. Norton. drloucozolino.com
Cozolino, Louis, PhD. (2006) The Neuroscience of Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain. NY: W.W. Norton. drloucozolino.com
Cozolino, Louis, PhD (2002) The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Building and Rebuilding the Human Brain. W.W. Norton. drloucozolino.com
Damasio, Antonio, M.D. (1999) The Feeling of What Happens: Body and Emotion in the Making of Consciousness. New York: Harcourt. dornsife.usc.edu/cf/faculty-and-staff/faculty.cfm?pid=1008328
Davidson, Richard, PhD., with Begley, Sharon. (2012) The Emotional Life of your Brain: How Its Unique Patterns Affect the Way You Think, Feel, and Live – and How You Can Change Them. NY: Hudson Street Press. http://richardjdavidson.com/
Doidge, Norman, M.D. (2007) The Brain that Changes Itself. Penguin Books. www.normandoidge.com
Doidge, Norman, M.D. (2015) The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity. Viking Press. www.normandoidge.com
Duff, Kat. The Secret Life of Sleep. New York: Atria, 2014. katduff.net
Eagleman, David, PhD. (2011) Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. Vintage Books. www.eagleman.com
Gelb, Michael. (2012) Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age. Novato, CA: New World Library. www.michaelgelb.com
Hanson, Rick. Resilient: How to Grow and Unshakable Core of Calm, Strenghten, and Happiness. New York: Harmony Books, 2018.
Hanson, Rick. (2013) Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence. New York: Harmony Books. www.rickhanson.net
Hanson, Rick, PhD and Mendius, Rick. M.D.. (2009) Buddha’s Brain: the Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom. Oakland, CA, New Harbinger Publications. www.rickhanson.net
Kahneman, Daniel, PhD (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. https://www.princeton.edu/~kahneman/
Kardaras, Nicholas. Glow-Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking Our Kids — and How to Break the Trance. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2016. drkardaras.com
Lehrer, Jonah. (2012) Imagine: How Creativity Works. New York: Houghton Mifflin. www.jonahlehrer.com
Lieberman, Matthew, PhD. (2013) Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. Crown Publishers. http://www.scn.ucla.edu/
MacGilchrist, Iain (2009) The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World. Yale University Press. channelmcgilchrist.com
McGonigal, Kelly. The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You and How to Get Good at It. New York: Penguin Random House, 2016. kellymcgonigal.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. (2013) Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. Penguin Group. www.drdansiegel.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. and Bryson, Tina, PhD. (2011) The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developed Mind. Bantam Books. www.drdansiegel.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. (2010) Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation. NY: W.W. Norton. www.drdansiegel.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. (2010) The Mindful Therapist. NY, W.W. Norton. www.drdansiegel.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. (2007) The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being. W.W. Norton. www.drdansiegel.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. and Hartzell, Mary, M.Ed. (2003) Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive. Penguin Putnam. www.drdansiegel.com
Siegel, Daniel, M.D. (1999). The Developing Mind: Toward a Neurobiology of Interpersonal Experience. New York: Guilford Press. www.drdansiegel.com
Steiner-Adair, Catherine. The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age. New York: Harper, 2013. csadair.com
Suzuki, Wendy. Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better. New York: HarperCollins, 2016. wendysuzuki.com
Walker, Matthew. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. New York: Scribner, 2017. sleepdiplomat.com