Here are some books and resources which you may find helpful or inspiring. I’ll keep adding to this as I come across them.

On Finding purpose

Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor E. Frankl: Psychiatrist and therapist Frankl recounts his experiences in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust, and harnesses the power of finding meaning in life in the most difficult of circumstances.

On Relationships

Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship, Terrence Real: exploring how relational trauma and social and cultural issues affect our romantic partnerships and some tools we can use to work through together.

On Self Compassion

The Compassionate Mind: Paul Gilbert: a comprehensive exploration of the power and challenges of offering compassion to ourselves and others. It combines evolutionary theory, mindfulness and practices from cognitive and behavioural therapies to help us learn to overcome threat responses and become more compassionate.

The Compassionate Mind Workbook: Chris Irons and Elaine Beaumont: a practical companion to The Compassionate Mind, offering useful exercises and reflective exercises.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind To Yourself, Kristin Neff: a great starting place if you recognise that you are your own worst critic.

On Self-Esteem

The Myth of Self Esteem, Albert Ellis: the founder of Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (a form of CBT) explores why he thinks the very idea of self-esteem is useless! A philosophical but also humorous and challenging read.

On Trauma

The Body Keeps the Score: Bessel van der Kolk: the now iconic book exploring the lasting impacts of trauma on mental and physical health, from one of the world’s pioneering trauma experts. Content warning: this book contains case studies and descriptions of traumatic events and abuse.

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture, Gabor Mate with Daniel Mate: accessible text presenting the growing body of evidence for the connections between trauma, life experiences and emotional distress and physical illness.

On Vulnerability

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead, Brene Brown: another inspirational offering from the force of nature that is Brene Brown, exploring how being vulnerable is essential for emotional health and connection.