Our go-to books recs!
Books are a great way to take in information at your own pace, alone or in conjunction with therapy. There are some go-to books we tell clients about again and again, and may be useful to you:
1) Parenting from the Inside Out
Registered psychotherapist Yzobela Hyett recommends: One of my favourite books for parents (brand new or "old-hands") is Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell. Becoming a parent can powerfully, and sometimes unexpectedly, evoke our own experiences of being parented. Learning how to recognize when our past hurt or invalidated feelings from childhood are being pulled into our interactions with our children can be incredibly empowering. It is difficult work to break intergenerational patterns, but this book helps us understand how emotion regulation can impact attachment, from a compassionate and evidence-based perspective. It includes reflection exercises to help us untangle the past from the present, stay calm, and learn to understand our children's behaviour more clearly, so that we can show up as the kind of parents we really want to be.
2) The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook
Registered psychotherapist Yolanda Testani recommends: The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance by Jeffrey Brantley, Jeffrey C. Wood, and Matthew McKay. DBT is a therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, originally for Borderline Personality Disorder, and has now been extended to use for a range of issues including: suicidal ideation, self-harm, intense emotions, impulsive behaviours, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use problems. While DBT is a comprehensive therapy program including individual therapy and group skills training, the skills can be applied to manage intense emotions. This skills workbook could be an adjunct to therapy or used on its own to increase one’s range of coping strategies.
3) Fair Play
Registered psychologist Dr. Jillian Satin regularly refers to the book Fair Play by Eve Rodksy. It’s a book that clearly lays out a system to balance household tasks between partners. It is particularly helpful for balancing after a new baby or a return to work after maternity leave. The book is practical in terms of changing the division of labour, and it can also help improve individual well-being and relationship satisfaction. It also has the bonus of making the reader feel less alone, learning that it is common for partners to struggle with the balance.
4) BURNout
Registered psychologist Dr. Samantha Waxman recommends Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski. In this book, you will learn the causes of burnout (particularly for women), the impact that burnout and stress have on our bodies, and how to get out of that cycle. The Nagoski sisters have an incredible gift for taking complex concepts (e.g., stress response cycle, body image, sleep, self-compassion) and making them easy to understand. The topic of burnout is not particularly funny, and yet, this book is filled with humour and very relatable personal stories. The authors have also included science-backed practical strategies to help you translate the information for your daily life.
Books like these can be transformative in your parenting journey, offering new perspectives and practical strategies to enhance your family’s well-being. For more personalized guidance, visit our Psychotherapy services or couples therapy page to see how we can support your specific needs.