Best self-help books for mental health (7 therapist recommendations) 

You are so generous to put this list together from the video. Thank you, it’s an active of service and I appreciate it.

The authors?....

Thanks!:)

Arigatho

Steven Hayes’ book is the only one evidence based.

This is glorious, I been tryin to find out about "best self help books audible" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Penabriel Noteworthy Precedence - (search on google )? It is a smashing exclusive guide for discovering how to manifest money and success minus the normal expense. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my colleague got cool success with it.

This was great, I been tryin to find out about "self help reading" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Penabriel Noteworthy Precedence - (search on google )? It is a good one of a kind product for discovering how to manifest money and success minus the normal expense. Ive heard some great things about it and my m8 got great results with it.

Joseph Jaganathan Thank you!!!

Cheers for the summary..

@@trieucao2328 p

8 Best self-help books for mental health 1.Living beyond your pain 2.The mindfulness and acceptance 3.Get out of your mind and into your life 4.Life Map 5.Living with your body and other things you hate 6.For depression 7.Feeling Good 8.Thing might go terribly horribly wrong

Dhanyawaad

Thank you

Soumya, I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s diagnoses of cancer and how much this is impacting you. I think rather than one of these books on this list, reading something like Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now or John Kabit-Zinn’s Full Catastrophe Living might help. I say this because each is a gentle, compassionate guide to working with the difficulties you’re being dealt from moment to moment. Which leads me to say, please seek out supports in your area of the world if you’re able to; books are not a substitute for professional help. Please let me know what happens in some way. I will do my best to be here for you. 🙏🏼

@@TimothyGordon I am really thankful and glad that you replied to my comment. I live in India and my country has been under lockdown for around 60 days due to Covid-19. Had this been not there I surely would have seen a psychologist by now. But since I have no other option right now, I will be reading "The power of Now" as you have suggested. I hope that it improves my mood a bit and bring back some worth in me which I previously had.

Soumya Mallick I’ve been following the news in India, I’m sending you good wishes. I’ve spent some time in India and had many positive experiences. Where do you live? Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

Appreciate Video clip! Apologies for chiming in, I would appreciate your thoughts. Have you tried - Peyadison Initial Principality (probably on Google)? It is a smashing exclusive product for discovering how to get rid of depression without the normal expense. Ive heard some amazing things about it and my best friend Jordan after many years got cool results with it.

Soumya Mallick I hope your Mom recovers soon. May she be healthy and happy again. Sending you lots of prayers and good wishes.

Chris Henderson thank you Chris!! Honestly, your positive feedback means a lot to me. Thanks for taking the time to write. :) Just as a heads up: I recommend ACT self-help books all the time because generally they’re written in a colloquial way.. the way we would talk to people normally. Which is helpful and (I believe) encourages people to access and use the material. For example, when someone I love struggles with chronic pain and I notice them do something that is a values driven behaviour I wouldn’t say “wow! You’re so defused from all that aversive content in putting your behaviour under appetite control. I’m proud of you!” These self-help books make this really technical stuff accessible and I’d argue is a necessity for us as clinicians because we want to learn how to actually use this work with people. Empowering us to do ACT rather than teach ACT. :) Again, thanks so much for your awesome comment!

Thank you kindly for saying so!!

Thanks for taking the time to write Rafe. My favourite book for social anxiety and working with those unwanted feelings is by Jan Fleming and Nancy Kocovski called “The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety and Shyness: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Free Yourself from Fear and Reclaim Your Life” The whole premise of the book is to embrace those unwanted feelings as a navigator towards what matters (assuming meeting new people is important in some way) and learning how to live your best life with those feelings rather than against them. Please feel free to follow-up and let me know how it goes. I’d also be down for making a video about working social anxiety!

@@TimothyGordon Thanks, I'll check it ;)

Yes! This is an excellent resource: Mindfulness & Acceptance for Social Anxiety www.newharbinger.com/9781608820801/the-mindfulness-and-acceptance-workbook-for-social-anxiety-and-shyness/ The authors really know their stuff and are clinicians who actually practice in the field. Just as a heads up, I have a new self-help book coming out. Are you on my mailing list? I might be able to send you an advance copy to get your feedback on it if you’re interested!?

Thanks! I’ve got to get making videos more frequently.

Yes! That’s why I made this video. I’ll make a follow-up soon. 🙏🏼

Timothy Gordon that would be amazing thank you!

Thank you so much for saying so. :)

Totally agree with you. Also, just as a quick tip from someone who’s been working in the counselling world for a long time: ask around if any local counsellors offer low-cost, sliding scale sessions, or if they have any spots for free sessions in their practice. I work a lot and reserve about 5 spots in my practice for low-cost, sliding scale fees when someone can’t afford my full fee.

Glad you like them!

Thanks so much for saying so Lucas! Yes, I have read it and used it with clients as well, it’s actually written by some local Canadians!! It’s a good book and is helpful for dealing with the difficult thoughts and feelings that make shyness and social anxiety difficult. There is however, a book that focuses on social skills and has examples of practical behaviours like how to maintain conversations that is super helpful, I’ll try find the name of it for you today!

I'd be glad! Thanks for your helpfulness.

Sorry it took so long! It's the "Shyness & Social Anxiety Workbook" by Antony and Swinson. It's in its second edition and it's very good. The social skills chapter alone is worth the price of the book.

Timothy Gordon You are the best! Thank you very much

Great question!!! This video was about mental health books that are empirically supported or based on an empirically supported program. However, I’d be down for making a video more focused on spiritual and philosophical content for sure! 👍🏼

@@TimothyGordon They say the stoics were like the first psychologists

Yes! There’s a lot of historical interest in understanding our internal suffering long before the formal discipline of psychology. Sometimes philosophers did treat people in a way. There’s a really cool book by Yalom called the Schopenhauer Cure that’s on this subject. The same gets said of Buddhism and other early texts including the yoga sutras. I also think philosophy can be useful in understanding interventions and ways to work with people.

This is me

How are you doing now?

No reply still...go and use search box of google or youtube..u will get instant result...

It hurts my heart to read your words. I will pray and meditate for you today. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle helped me with overthinking. Life Visioning from Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith helped me greatly in one of the darkest times of my life. I haven’t read any of these books he suggested but I have read many. Veronika decides to die by Paulo Coelho was good for showing me the beauty in day-to-day life. My mother committed suicide so this is close to my heart. I pray you move towards healing today and ever day beyond. I’m so sorry you’re hurting. ❤️

Hello, I’m just seeing your comment now. I hope you will reach out to let us know that you’re safe and share about your journey. Please understand that I am limited in how I can respond here, I recommend you reach out for professional help. When I speak with my clients about suicide, most often it’s exactly as you describe, life circumstances that lead us to want to escape. Please know that your life is precious and I know that you’re lovable. Your successes in life don’t determine who you are or what your value is. My suggestion isn’t a book, it’s to meet with a professional who can help you accept your experience, connect with your values and move toward a life of meaning. There’s also been some good recommendations here and I hope you will write back and tell us more about you and how you’re doing. 🙏🏼

@@tawnydannybell2617 thanks uh so much for this, really means alot

@@TimothyGordon My condition is getting more worst but it's okay sometimes to be the part of test. But now I have the believe what is happening is just happening for mine betterment. I don't I will be happy again or not but yes one day I will manage myself to be completely fit to every circumstances To everyone who is suicidal there, please don't take any unccessary step, I know no one understand yuh but yaaa you can understand yourself, you can only help yourself. I know everything seems invisible. it's okay to be not okay but yes things will change. I can't make you sure for a happier life but yaa I can wish uh for good journey PLEASE PLEASE AND PLEASE DON'T TRY TO CONTROL YOUR TEARS, LET THEM FLOW PLEASE LET THEM FLOW. I m sorry for everything happened to uh I m sorry for that but please don't take your life. Save yourself please save youself. Don't think you are not good, you are a beautiful soul dear. Try and understand. I will not say anyone will understand yuh, I know no one can be the friend to moon sky stars they are too good man! Believe me, you will feel better on day. It's okay if someone left uh, it's okay if someone died, its okay if you are depressed enough, everything is okay until you are safe. I know sometimes you even can't cry ,I know sometimes crying also don't make yuh relax but trust me yuh will be adapted to this one day. I believe uh, you will save yourself. I know you want to end those pain believe me it will end on day. I know overthinking hurts but it's okay if uh are not alive uh can't even think for those shits, you can't think for once please don't anything. I know you can't sleep at night, it feels like you are under burial. I know no one can relate uh. I know you have to fake emotions. I know life is tough,I have suffered, I m suffering but I have the trust as I can overcome to this or adapt myself to this like that you can also beautiful soul. Help yourself help yourself save yourself. Just be selfish enough to save yourself. Listen, you are too good ♥

Thanks for checking it out Lise!!! :)

Thanks for the positive feedback. I’m not aware of any novels for mental health but that’s a great idea! Please let me know if you find anything, I can do an updated video!

Thanks Lou!!

I agree. Search for the hapiness trap by him.

I agree. He is great

Thanks for taking the time to write; I have two suggestions for you: 1) it sounds like meditation would be a big help (or some reflective process) to help you slow down 2) some practical skills to assist you in letting of your reactions and trying some new behaviours. Try mindful self-compassion to help you with the first point and maybe ‘ACT on Life Not on Anger’ - although your issue isn’t necessarily anger, the tools are transdiagnostic and can be applied to any issue. Ultimately though, there’s no substitute for good therapy.

Thanks for saying so!!! I’m working on getting back into producing videos regularly. Tell me what you’d like to see!?

​​@@TimothyGordonlike videos on How to practice mindfulness in daily life , mental therapy videos , videos on overcoming mental challenges like (fear , procastination , anxeity issues , depression , stage fear, pain, for example you can take a act practice from those books and explain how to apply them in daily life and how it changes our life) .you know melrobbins(youtube) she makes videos on this kind of things but im not connected to her (cuz i feel like she is talking to some one else) and there is tealswan(youtube) her videos are little good . i know you did "Brief Act practices" series but they are not long enough to connect with us (as it lacks explanation of problems and how this solution solves problem .....) if you dont mind refer their videos but i love to see your videos and 1m subscribers cuz your explanation is good . Brother i downloaded your 30 day yoga challenge videos and i watch them in free time so that i get motivated to do yoga and how to be present while doing so . Thank you from bottom of my heart for your work

I completely agree with you! I think it’s all in how the book presents the activity: is this something I legitimately NEED to write down or is it being written for the sake of writing. One of my favourite written activities I use with my clients is the Life Map and I can honestly say the diagram (even if you just depict things or use symbols) without writing any words does make a big difference for most. Only because it gives you the unique perspective of looking at experiences rather than from experiences, which is what we’re used to. Stay in touch and let me know what works for you!

I’d like to make two recommendations, self-help books (ones that I’ve mentioned in this video) that are evidence-based to alleviate psychological suffering and try local universities with counselling programs or searching for charities that provide low or no cost therapy. I can appreciate that funding is limited, I want you to know there’s no substitute for getting professional, qualified help.

@@TimothyGordon Thank you ever so much for responding Sir! I'll be sure to check out the books that you've recommended and explore local counselling opportunities. Again, Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it! Warmth!

Thanks for sharing Lee, I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time. I hope your operation works out. Have you seen my free ebook? Alternatively, try Russ Harris’ The Happiness Trap, it’s excellent. For something a little more immersive, Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” is excellent.

Same😥

🙂

Samee i can understand it sucks😣😣😣😣😣

Enjoy!! It’s a GREAT book and helped me a lot. It’s a little bit dry, little bit nerdy, and kind of explaining focused. Think of that as the quirks of ACT being relatively new and still trying to figure out whether or not it needs to be explained upfront: what the approach is specifically.

Hey...can i know where did you find it..

Hi Tina, I’m so sorry for the delay in responding. I’d recommend Where You Go, There You Are or the Happiness Trap. Both are practical, excellent books for living in the moment with our hurts. Please update me on how you and your mother are doing. Your mom is blessed to have a considerate daughter who is concerned about her welfare. I’d bet she’s very proud of you.

Thanks for the question and pardon my delay in responding. I’ve read the book a couple of times. It’s a simple read, easy to understand (unlike ACT, haha!) and integrates smoothly into most peoples lives but misses the mark for many, myself included. I think it could easily be chalked up to: different strokes for different folks. For example, some people don’t “struggle” with negative thinking, they need exposure, perhaps an interoceptive approach or simply prolonged exposure. As rich and nuanced as our mental health struggles and personal lives are, so is the need for good interventions with methodological rigour and accessibility. Said more simply, there’s lot of room in the market for other approaches.

Try my free ebook to start, it’s an easy ready and will help give structure around where you are and where you want yo go.

That’s great feedback.

Thank you for writing and sharing about your journey. It’s heartbreaking you’re dealing with these mental health diagnoses and the loss of your brother. As far as books go: I love Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” but your best bet is to find a qualified therapist who really knows their stuff and can guide you through what you need to thrive.

Thank you for writing and sharing a little about you. I’m honoured that you’d write me and be curious about my recommendations. I’d like to learn about you and come to understand your journey as a social worker. My favourite social work book is “Beginnings, Middles, & Ends” by Ogden Rogers. It’s a beautifully written book by a social worker and I return to it often as a source of strength and inspiration.

Thanks for writing Cassie. I don’t have a blanket recommendation because trauma effects us all so differently. Some of us feel shame, others are cautious and find ourselves having a sort-of relationship PTSD. If you’d like to follow-up with me; I’d be happy to hear more about you and make a recommendation. Ultimately though, trauma in ones adolescence is best managed with a regulated professional. From there, a self-help book can augment your treatment, helping you to find new, skillful ways to manage the difficulties you’re facing now.

@@TimothyGordon thanks for your swift reply, my concern is for my son. Currently in prison, suffering from CPTSD as a result if sssault in his teens that none of us knew about. He has no access to therapy or electronic resources. I have a MPsychMed and I'm trained in CBT (recently retired), and I'm his only resource (by mail, no visiting at present). Am currently educating myself on the ACT approach which resonates with me, and looking for something to help me apply it to the trauma domain.

Cassie Oz wow Cassie, that’s incredibly difficult. My heart goes out to your son. Can you contact me directly and perhaps we can talk on the phone about this? Email me: tim@thezensocialworker.ca

@@TimothyGordonthanks, I'm in Australia so I'll email you

Hey Emma. I’m not Tim and literally this is a video a found randomly but my guess is look up “Great books to help with anxiety” or social anxiety and then watch that. Anxiety has been worse for me since I was diagnosed with PTSD. On top of that I have ADHD and OCD. So the anxiety goes really high if I’m going bad so I do know how bad the anxiety can get

@@tipoftheiceberg7034 Hey Tim, thank you for replying. I have found a few books and have been feeling better. It still depends on the day if I’m being honest. Anxiety can mess up everything really, and I hope that you find a way to cope. You are definitely not alone. Have a good day/evening.

Thanks for writing and sharing your struggle. My favourite book on this is written by Emily Sandoz. She has a workbook for eating disordered behaviour that is fantastic and a book called “Living with Your Body and Other Things You Hate” that is brilliantly, poetically written. Please know that self-help is likely not a substitute for qualified, professional services from a regulated health professional. I’d recommend finding someone who has experience working with long-standing histories of eating disordered behaviour. They will likely also have an understanding of the predisposing issues that can evoke and maintain eating disorders. Please feel free to stay in touch as you progress on your journey. I’m honoured that you reached out. 🙏🏼

Hahaha! You’re awesome Uma. Not inappropriate at all. You’ve made me feel very handsome today and that’s a gift. 🙏🏼

I haven’t read it yet. I’ve seen Mel Robbins’ videos and they’re excellent.

That’s great to hear. What stood out to you that really helped?

@@TimothyGordon Well, he doesn't pull any punches. Sometimes life sucks and learning to deal with the suckage is how we grow. I find his writing style to also be very humorous and digestible. Also, thanks for this list. I have already started preparations to get them. I use audible mostly anymore because I can do chores and listen but my research is showing that a few of these books are recommended as hard copies and not audio. Thanks again!

Thank you for writing Ratan. I’m honoured that you reached out. 🙏🏼 The Life Map book might be useful in listing some values that you hold close to your heart and figuring out how to act on those values. A better recommendation, not on this list would be a boon that teaches interpersonal skills, setting boundaries and enforcing them.

Thanks so much Tim. The title also seems interesting I will surely read and come back to you ❤️🤩

Hi thanks for the recommendation from this list. Could you please help me with the name of author of book which you recommended out of this list

1.Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman 2.Working with emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman 3.The seven habits of highly effective people by Stephen R.Covey 4.How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie

I haven’t read it. Sorry.

Can you send me the pdf link?

Not that I can think of specifically for that issue BUT the ACT books: Life Map, Get Out of Your Mind & Into Your Life are generic and will for sure help with test taking anxiety: an area that ACT is evidenced to help with. 🙏🏼

Sorry for the delay in responding! You can try NLP or classic CBT. Often though, trying to control for thoughts can inadvertently reinforce them, giving them more power of us.

Yes! I believe that used to be true and I hope it’s not as true today and will continue to be less and less true. Evidence-based therapies had a very top down approach, dictating what to do and how to do it; evidence-based approaches are being developed with process as the focus, more bottom up and reticulating models of science, which should help innovation, spur along new ways of doing things. And let’s not forget, just because something is not evidence-based, does not mean it doesn’t work. New interventions and applications get experimented with in research settings all the time, look at all the craze about yoga, etc.

Oh no. A dear friend of mine had a dry socket condition and it was very painful. Have you reached out for individual counselling close to you?

You're welcome 😊

Yes! Especially the ACT materials because they’re process-based, which means the same strategies apply across different mental health presentations. Focusing on processes means the work applies to people not symptoms; the work applies to symptoms and helps. Please keep in mind that self-help books are not a substitute for good assessment and treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Although some of the books are evidenced to work themselves in studies, I’d still recommend having supports locally. Please don’t hesitate to follow-up! Your questions and comments are welcome here.

@@TimothyGordon Ok Thanks

Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. Are you still looking for help?

@@TimothyGordon Yes I am. 👋

If it’s accessible to you, please consider counselling with a qualified professional. There truly is no substitute for a well trained counsellor doing the work directly with you. If individual therapy is not accessible, there are groups online that may suit your needs. Please follow-up and let me know how it goes for you, what you found and what worked.

I could do a video on getting to sleep if you’re interested!?

Let me know how it goes. 🙏🏼

@@TimothyGordon bet! Thanks mate

@@IMVeer0072 how are you?

@@kaisanwonk I doing OK, hanging in there taking one day at a time, thanks for asking. I got started with the Steven Hayes book but it's difficult to process at times (few instances in the book get too personal or dark), though I plan to get back to completing it someday.

Thanks for your interest! You can get a copy by signing up for my mailing list. Don’t worry, there’s no spam. thezensocialworker.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=20962719b959184f062793a61&id=2002fef199

Thanks so much for saying so!

Thank you Sean! Let me know if there’s any resources you’d like to see.

Thank you for dropping me a message and enjoying my content. 🙏🏼

You might find this interesting, September release ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a8QEJrVWevk.html

Cool!! Thanks a lot. I’ll try to keep the content coming. 👍🏼

This is embarrassing, I forget which are two and three!! Remind me and I’ll give you my thoughts. Haha, unless you’ve had enough of me from the video. :D

@@TimothyGordon "the mindfulness and acceptance workbook for anxiety" and "get out of your mind and into your life" im new to CBT and learning to work on my mental health.

@@aaronvillanueva8749 thanks for following up! I’d definitely recommend the workbook, it’s fantastic and immediately accessible. Get Out of Your Mind & Into Your Life is a little more intellectual. Maybe see if you can get the audiobook version of it. That might make it more accessible. Let me know how it goes.

@@TimothyGordon ok thanks so much

@@TimothyGordon Hello so I been reading the workbook and they keep mentioned that it should be read at a slower pace. How slow are we talking? Should I read only so many chapters a week?

I’m planning on doing a separate video on the happiness trap. Russ’ work is quite brilliant.

@@TimothyGordon hiya.. Have you done this on russs stuff?

Jason D not yet, soon!

@@TimothyGordon what's soon mean 😜.. When can we expect it realistically..

Jason D the new year. I’m going through hell right now. Will you bug me around New Years and check in? Maybe you and I can talk about ACT books for a video!?