I Read ALOT. Growing up in remote Yukon we had with fewer resources than urban settings. I started my healing journey early and this special interest wasn’t shared by most people my age. As a result, books! I’ve always turned to books; they provide a space for learning, community, advice, escapism, and reflection. Books are easy to get—free with a library card, cheap at thrift stores, and now available as audiobooks through apps.

When you work with me, you can expect to hear phrases like, “I read a book this weekend that reminds me of _,” or “I have a book recommendation for you.” I frequently recommend books to friends, family, colleagues, and clients. And now, I want to share my personal library of recommended books with you. Some of the books are textbook form, some are self-help, memoirs and others are poetry; all have helped me in some way.

Below you will find helpful categories and reading recommendations. I’ll be adding to this list overtime so it will be good to check back.

Books on Stress and the Body

When the body says no - Gabor Maté

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle - Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski

Anchored: How to Befriend your Nervous System Using Polyvagel Theory- Deb Dana

Books on Indigenous Knowing

Healing the Soul Wound: Trauma-Informed Counselling for Indigenous Communities - Eduardo Duran

Buddha in Redface: Third Edition - Eduardo Duran

Braiding Sweet Grass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific knowledge and the Teachings of Plans - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations - Richard Wagamese

One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet - Richard Wagamese

Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies - Renee Linklater

Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma and Politicizing your Practice - Jennifer Mullan

Grandmothers Counsel the World: Women Elders Offer Their Vision for Our Planet - Carol Schaefer

One Story, One Song - Richard Wagamese

Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Volume one: Summary: Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Books on Trauma

***some of the books listed here can be triggering - please read with care ***

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma - Stephanie Foo

My Grandmothers Hands: Radicalized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies - Resmaa Menakem

Healing Trauma: Restoring the Wisdom of your body - Peter Levine

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma - Peter Levine

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel va Der Kolk

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with addiction - Gabor Matê

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma - Pete Walker

The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing and Social Justice - Staci Haines

Anti-Oppressive Books

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto - Tricia Hersey

Who is Wellness for?: An Examination of Wellness Culture and Who it Leaves Behind - Fariha Roisin

Beyond the Gender Binary: AlokVaid-Menon & Ashley Lukashevsky

Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics - Bell Hooks

Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good - Adrienne Maree Brown

The Good Aly - Nova Reid

Books on Body Neutrality

The Body is not an Apology: The power of radical self-love - Sonya Renee Taylor

Step Aside Barbie! You’re blocking my view… of Me!: Women and Body Image in North America - Suzann Kingston

Books on Self-Compassion

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to yourself - Dr. Kristin Neff

Books on Introversion

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking - Susan Cain

Books on Sex & Sexuality

Come as you are: The Surprising New Science that will Transform your Sex Life - Emily Nagoski

Want Me: A Sex Writer’s Journey into the heart of Desire - Tracy Clark-Flory

Books on Polyamory & Open Relationships

Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogomy - Jessica Fern

Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships - Tristan Taormino

The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love - Janet W Hardy & Dossie Easton

Books on Relationships

5 Love Languages: the Secret to Love that Lasts - Gary Chapman

The Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert - John Gorman PhD & Nan Silver

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How it Can Help you Find - and Keep - Love - Amir Levine & Rachel Heller

The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity - Esther Perel

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling others and start caring for yourself - Melody Beattie

I Love you But I don’t trust you: The Complete Guide to Restoring Trust in Your Relationships - Mira Kirshenbaum

Books on ADHD

A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD: Embrace Neurodiversity, Live Boldly and Break Through Barriers - Sari Golden, Michelle Frank, Ellen Littman

Books on Psychedelics and Psychedelic Therapy

How to Change your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence - Michael Pollen

Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: The Healing Potential of Expanded States - Tim Read, Maria Oaoaspyrou, Gabor Matê and others

The Ethics of Caring: Finding Right Relationship with Clients for Profound, Transformative Work in Professional Healing Relationships - Kyle Taylor (For Practitioners)

Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine: Creativity, Ecstasy and Healing - Allyson Grey, Maria Papaspyrou, Chiara Baldini and David Luke

Good Chemistry: The science of Connection from Soul to Psychedelic - Julie Holland

Books on Spirituality & Soul Purpose

Soul Therapy: The Art and Craft of Caring Conversations - Thomas Moore

A New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose - Eckhart Tolle

Soul Mates: Honouring the Mysteries of Love and Relationship - Thomas Moore

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - Michael Singer