Supplemental reading materials can be a valuable resource in learning how to support a family member or friend as they navigate mental health issues -- managing mood, anxiety or trauma-related conditions.
While the insights shared in these books can help individuals and families gain a deeper understanding of these conditions, no single book can fully capture the unique experience of living with mental health concerns. Additionally, these books are not a substitute for professional treatment or meaningful human connection.
We recommend discussing the key takeaways from these books with your loved one's treatment team. Feel free to save, copy or bookmark this page for future reference.
Mental health books to support children and teens
- The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive by Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
- What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work by Dr. Adele Lafrance and Dr. Ashley Miller
- Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child With Confidence and Hope by Deborah Reber
- Freeing Your Child From Negative Thinking (Second Edition) by Dr. Tamar Chansky
- Coping Cat Workbook (Second Edition) by Dr. Philip Kendall and Dr. Kristina Hedtke
- The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook (Second Edition) by Dr. Matthew McKay, Dr. Jeffrey Wood and Dr. Jeffrey Brantley
OCD-specific books
- Talking Back to OCD by Dr. John March
- Freeing Your Child From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Dr. Tamar E. Chansky
Mental health books to support adults
- A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters by Dr. Steven Hayes
- The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris
- Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think (Second Edition) by Dr. Dennis Greenberger and Dr. Christine Padesky
- The Worry Trap: How to Free Yourself From Worry and Anxiety Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Dr. Chad LeJeune
- The Positivity Effect: Simple CBT Skills to Transform Anxiety and Negativity Into Optimism and Hope by Dr. Dan Tomasulo
- The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook (Second Edition) by Dr. Matthew McKay, Dr. Jeffrey Wood and Dr. Jeffrey Brantley
- The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer
Mental health books to support a partner or spouse
- The Mindful Couple by Dr. Robyn Walser and Dr. Darrah Westrup
- ACT With Love (Second Edition) by Dr. Russ Harris
OCD-specific books
- Getting Over OCD (Second Edition) by Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz
- Brain Lock, Twentieth Anniversary Edition: Free Yourself From Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz
- Freedom From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Personalized Recovery Program for Living With Uncertainty (Updated Edition) by Dr. Jonathan Grayson
Trauma-specific books
- Getting Unstuck From PTSD: Using Cognitive Processing Therapy to Guide Your Recovery by Dr. Patricia A. Resick, Dr. Shannon Wiltsey Stirman and Dr. Stefanie T. LoSavio
- Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Dr. Peter Levine
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
If you or someone you care about needs more support and wants information about our treatment options, please contact our confidential and compassionate admissions team:
- Call 877-825-8584
- Reach out to us by filling out this form
This list has been reviewed by Natalie Goodwin, PhD, Leslee Marcom, PhD, CEDS-C, Kim Anderson, Ph.D., CEDS and Katie Bendel, LCSW.