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Recommended Readings

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Books, Articles, Related Readings
Recommended Readings
These books are recommended by Heather to complement and further inform your healing journey.

Books on Healing and Trauma Recovery

Live Beyond Your Label by Erin Kerry

A blend of science, scripture, and personal experience by a functional nutritionist in remission from her own illness for over a decade. Erin has developed a holistic process to help you change your perspective.

The Christian’s Guide to Psychedelics by Wendi Rees
Explores the intersection of faith and alternative healing, offering a thoughtful and discerning perspective on the use of substances like Ibogaine, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine.

Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro
Offers practical EMDR-based techniques for managing distressing memories and emotions, with clear guidance on how to break free from old patterns.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A foundational work examining how trauma leaves its mark on the body and mind, and how to reclaim wholeness through various somatic and therapeutic approaches.

No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with Internal Family Systems (IFS) by Richard Schwartz
Introduces the IFS model, showing how understanding and caring for each of your “parts” can lead to profound emotional and spiritual transformation.

Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
Encourages a kinder, more compassionate approach to personal growth. Provides exercises and reflections on how to navigate trauma and stress without self-criticism.

The Wisdom of the Body by Christine Valters Paintner
Explores contemplative practices that help you reconnect with your physical self, inviting spiritual integration and deeper awareness.

The Theradelic Approach: Psychedelic Therapy—Perspective, Preparation, and Practice by Sunny Strasburg
Examines the role of psychedelics in therapy, offering insights on how careful preparation and integrative practice can facilitate healing and personal evolution.

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
A deeply personal account of living with and recovering from C-PTSD, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and the power of storytelling in trauma work.

Dissociation Made Simple by Jamie Marich
Breaks down the concept of dissociation into accessible language, guiding readers through practical strategies for coping and integrating fragmented experiences.

Faith and Spirituality

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reflects on themes of forgiveness, grace, and belonging inspired by Rembrandt’s painting, offering a transformative view of God’s love and mercy.

The Spirit-Led Life: A Christian Encounter with Internal Family Systems
Bridges Christian spirituality with the IFS model, suggesting ways to invite the Holy Spirit into the healing process of your “inner parts.”

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Calhoun
Provides a wide array of disciplines—such as prayer, fasting, and meditation—to help deepen your relationship with God and nourish spiritual growth.

Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by Richard Rohr
Explores the transformative power of contemplative prayer, encouraging readers to embrace all aspects of life within the loving presence of God.

Creativity, Art, and Healing

Art and Faith: A Theology of Making by Makoto Fujimura
Discusses the sacred nature of creativity, showing how artistic expression can be an act of worship and spiritual renewal.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
A step-by-step approach to unlocking creativity through daily exercises, journaling, and self-reflection, often leading to both artistic and personal breakthroughs.

Somehow: Thoughts on Love by Anne Lamott
Shares Lamott’s signature wit and candor about love, healing, and the messy truths of being human, offering hope in the midst of everyday challenges.

Nature and Restorative Practices

The Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
A timeless resource offering guidance on observing and appreciating the natural world, encouraging childlike wonder and outdoor exploration.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World by Julia Rothman
A visually engaging guide that details the intricacies of nature, helping readers cultivate a deeper connection to plants, animals, and landscapes.

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws
Combines art instruction with scientific observation, teaching how sketching and journaling can foster mindfulness and an intimate bond with creation.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Weaves Indigenous wisdom and scientific perspectives to illustrate the reciprocal relationship between humanity and the Earth.

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Argues the importance of reconnecting children (and adults) with nature, exploring how time outdoors can boost emotional health and well-being.

Exploration, Reflection, and Growth

Living Like Weasels by Annie Dillard (Essay)
A short, reflective piece urging deeper engagement with the wildness of life and the instinctive, unselfconscious nature within ourselves.

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
A contemplative novel set in rural Kentucky, celebrating community, faith, and the quiet revelations found in ordinary life.

Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski
An evidence-based exploration of human sexuality that empowers readers to understand and embrace their unique experiences and needs.

The Poetry Remedy: Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind, and Soul by William Sieghart
A collection of poems and reflections designed to comfort, inspire, and spark conversation around universal themes of love, loss, and growth.

Journaling Resources

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