Book recommendations
Here is a selection of books and cards that I often use with or recommend to clients and/or have found helpful and interesting myself.
- How to Do the Work by Dr Nicole LePera
- How to Meet Yourself by Dr Nicole LePera
- Embracing Our Selves by Hal and Sidra Stone
- Embracing Each Other by Hal and Sidra Stone
- The Emotionally Absent Mother: How To Recognize And Heal The Invisible Effects Of Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jasmin Lee Cori
- The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame by Pete Walker
- Complex CPTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
- Healing the Fragmented Selves of the Trauma Survivors by Janina Fisher
- The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for PTSD: Practical Exercises for Overcoming Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by Kirby Reutter
- Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
- Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
- When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté
- Suicidal Thoughts and You: Escaping the Mental Loop of Wanting to End It All by Ashley McKenna
- The Complete CBT Guide for Anxiety by Roz Shafran
- The Social Skills Guidebook by Chris Macleod
- Quiet Power by Susan Cain
- A Manual for Heartache: How to Feel Better by Cathy Rentzenbrink
- Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change by Pema Chodron
- Start Where You Are: How to Accept Yourself and Others by Pema Chödrön
- The Mood Book: Identify and explore 100 moods and emotions by Andrea Harrn
- The Enchanted Life: Unlocking the Magic of the Everyday by Sharon Blackie
- Enchantment: Reawakening Wonder in an Exhausted Age by Katherine May
- Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa Turner
- Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell
- Shapeshifting into Higher Consciousness by Llyn Roberts
- Gentle Power by Emilia Elisabet Lahi
- Normal Women by Philippa Gregory
- Conscious Creativity: Look, Connect, Create by Phillipa Stanton
- Poetry First Aid Kit by Abbie Headon
- 101 Poems That Could Save Your Life by Daisy Goodwin
- The Live Your Values Deck by Lisa Congdon
- Creative Consciousness Oracle Cards by Johanna Wright
Helpful newsletters (and more beautiful card sets)
- Thera-pets Emotional Support Cards by Kate Allan (Kate also has a beautiful daily newsletter with words and pictures of love and encouragement!)
- Sugar and Sloth (https://www.sugarandsloth.co.uk/) produce so many helpful and caring resources to aid mental health, such as anxiety toolkits and emotional support cards sets such as ‘Frogs for Unkind Days.’
Helpful organisations
Below are a number of agencies and organisations that may be of interest to you, or that you may find support in contacting.
If you are in a crisis or need immediate help, please contact your doctor, ring 999 (UK) or visit your nearest A&E where you can be assessed and supported by the mental health team.
Samaritans: Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Offers 24/7 confidential, emotional support from trained listeners. You can also visit them face-to-face at your local branch: http://www.samaritans.org/branches
Shout: Emotional support helpline, available 24/7 by text message (text 85258 for free) https://giveusashout.org/
Carers UK: 0808 808 7777 or visit http://www.carersuk.org for more information.
Offers information, advice and support for carers
Citizens Advice Bureau: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm
“We help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice”
Have I Got a Problem: Visit http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/
Free resource for mental health and addiction issues, including free online support
Cruse Bereavement Care: 0844 477 9400 or email helpline@cruse.org.uk
Specialist bereavement support and counselling. Visit their website to find your local branch: http://www.cruse.org.uk/cruse-areas-and-branches
Worcestershire Early Intervention Service: visit http://www.hacw.nhs.uk/service-directory/adult-mental-health/worcestershire-early-intervention-service for more information
Addresses the needs of young people (aged 14-35) with a first episode of psychosis or of bipolar disorder (specifically bipolar l). Lots of information on their website. Self-referrals accepted.
Mind, The Mental Health Charity: visit http://mind.org.uk/ for more information
Offers information, advice and support for anyone affected by mental health concerns.
Stroke Association: 0303 3033 100 or visit http://www.stroke.org.uk for more information
Offers information, advice and support for anyone affected by stroke.