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Therapy doesn't only happen during our sessions. Developing a deeper understanding of trauma, relationships, attachment, grief, and the ways our nervous system responds to difficult experiences can be an important part of the healing process.

I've gathered resources that may help you better understand what you're experiencing and support the work you're doing both inside and outside of therapy. These resources are intended for educational purposes and are not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment.

rauma can continue to affect how we feel, respond, connect with others, and experience ourselves long after a difficult experience has ended. Understanding these responses can be an important part of the healing process.

Recommended Resources:

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

Learn more about EMDR therapy, how it works, and how EMDR is used to address trauma and other concerns.

National Center for PTSD

Educational information about trauma, PTSD, treatment options, and recovery.

The ways we learned to experience closeness, safety, conflict, and vulnerability can greatly influence our relationships throughout adulthood. Understanding attachment and relationship patterns can help us recognize the cycles that keep us feeling disconnected and begin creating healthier, more secure connections.

Recommended Reading

Hold Me Tight — Sue Johnson, PhD

An accessible introduction to attachment, emotional connection, and the patterns that can keep couples feeling disconnected.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work — John Gottman, PhD & Nan Silver

Practical strategies for strengthening relationships, navigating conflict, and building greater connection.

Attached — Amir Levine, MD & Rachel Heller

An introduction to adult attachment and how attachment patterns can influence romantic relationships.

Many of the ways we learned to cope, protect ourselves, or relate to others developed for a reason. Healing often involves understanding these patterns with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment. Learning more about trauma, shame, vulnerability, and self-compassion can provide additional insight and support as you work toward healing.

Recommended Reading:

The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk, MD

Explores the impact of trauma on the brain and body and approaches to trauma recovery.

What My Bones Know — Stephanie Foo

A personal exploration of complex trauma, its effects, and the process of healing.

The Gifts of Imperfection — Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW

Explores shame, vulnerability, authenticity, and developing a greater sense of worthiness.

Self-Compassion — Kristin Neff, PhD

Explores how developing a more compassionate relationship with ourselves can support emotional well-being.

Grief doesn't follow a predictable timeline. Loss can affect our relationships, identity, routines, sense of safety, and even how we imagine the future. There is no single “right” way to grieve. Learning more about grief and loss can help you better understand what you're experiencing and feel less alone in the process.

Recommended Resources:

It's OK That You're Not OK — Megan Devine

A compassionate approach to understanding grief without treating it as something that needs to be fixed.

What's Your Grief

Education, articles, and practical resources for people navigating grief and loss.

Refuge in Grief

Resources based on Megan Devine's work supporting people living with profound loss.

Perimenopause and menopause can affect much more than physical health. Changes in mood, anxiety, sleep, concentration, relationships, and your sense of yourself can make this transition feel confusing or overwhelming. Learning more about what is happening during this stage of life can help you better understand your experiences and advocate for the support you need.

Recommended Reading

The New Perimenopause — Mary Claire Haver, MD
A comprehensive, science-based guide to the hormonal transition of perimenopause, including changes in mood, sleep, energy, cognition, sexual health, and overall well-being. 

The New Menopause — Mary Claire Haver, MD
An accessible guide to navigating menopause and midlife health, including psychological, neurological, sleep, sexual, and physical changes and options for managing symptoms. 

The Menopause Brain — Lisa Mosconi, PhD
Explores what happens in the brain during the menopause transition, including changes involving cognition, mood, sleep, and brain health.

For Clients Interested in Faith-Integrated Resources

For some people, Christian faith is an important source of meaning, identity, comfort, and hope. When desired, therapy can provide space to explore emotional healing alongside faith and spirituality.

Recommended Reading

The Soul of Shame — Curt Thompson, MD

Explores shame, relationships, neuroscience, and spiritual formation from a Christian perspective.

Try Softer — Aundi Kolber, MA, LPC

A trauma-informed exploration of compassion, boundaries, emotional health, and faith.

Strong Like Water — Aundi Kolber, MA, LPC

Explores a more compassionate understanding of strength, resilience, and emotional healing.

Faith integration is always based on your preferences and is never required as part of therapy.