As a therapist, you’re always giving your clients the best advice based on what you learnt at college and through experience. You know what works, what doesn’t, and what works for some and maybe not for everyone. You also know that there’s plenty out there when it comes to supplementing your sessions with clients. Here are some of the best mental health resources I recommend to clients in addition to their therapy sessions.
Treating Anxiety and Stress
Here are a few resources I can highly recommend when it comes to treating stress and anxiety:
Books
The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns
Change Your Brain-Change Your Life by Daniel Amen
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
Anxiety Relief For Teens by Regine Galanti
The Ten Best Ever Anxiety Management Techniques by Margaret Wehrenberg
Apps
Youper
CBT-I Coach
MindDoc
Videos
Lessons from the Mental Health Hospital
Gifts
STRESS RELIEF AND ANTI-ANXITY TOOLS
Treating Grief and Loss
The following supports can help guide your clients when they’re not in sessions with you:
Books
It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler
Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko
The Other Side of Sadness by George A. Bonanno
A Grace Disguised by Jerry L. Sittser
Videos
We don’t move on from grief, we move forward with it
Treating Mood Disorders
These are my best mental health resources when helping clients regain emotional stability in their lives:
Books
Mind Over Mood by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky
The Anger Workbook by Frank Minirth and Les Carter Good
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns
An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison
The Bipolar Survival Guide by David J Milkowitz
I Hate You Don’t Leave Me by Erin Johnston
Apps
MoodTools
FearTools
Videos
How to Practice Emotional First Aid
Gifts
Relationship Advice
These mental health resources explore the dynamics of relationship patterns for growth, clarity, and a deeper understanding of interpersonal communication.
Books
Love is Never Enough by Aaron Beck
Codependent No More by Melody Beattie Marriage by David Schnarch
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
Everybody Wins by Gary Chapman
Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
After the Affair by Janis Abrahms Spring
Love Me Don’t Leave Me by Michelle Skeen
Gifts
OUR MOMENTS Couples: 100 Thought Provoking Conversation Starters
APPS
Treating Trauma
These resources help clients learn skills to help them cope as they process traumatic experiences.
Books
The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro
Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
Healing Collective Trauma by Thomas Hubl
Healing Developmental Trauma by Laurence Heller Ph.D and Aline LaPierre
The Journey from Abandonment to Healing by Susan Anderson
APPS
CPT Coach
Breathe2Relax
Learning and Promoting Self-Care
Books
Give Yourself a Break by Kim Fredrickson
The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care by Anna Borges
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No by Henry Cloud
APPS
Headspace
Calm
Bloom
Gifts
AROMATHERAPY DIFFUSER AND OIL SET
WELLNESS ESSENTIAL OIL ROLLERBALL SET
Podcasts
Imposter Syndrome
These resources offer clients tips and tricks to address their distorted thoughts and tear down the faulty feelings of fraud.
Books
The Middle Finger Project by Ash Ambirge
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Videos
The Surprising Solution to the Imposter Syndrome
Sue English, LCSW, CADC
Sue is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, self-defeating thoughts/behaviors, and mood disorders. She works in private practice in the Chicagoland area. Sue has extensive experience working with teens, adults, couples, and families through counseling, teaching, and in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, including; psychiatric units, detox centers, and a residential treatment facility for women. When not trying to save the world, she enjoys running and, spending time with her children, husband, and retired racing greyhounds.
