At IRETA, we are committed to supporting clinicians with tools and resources that enhance their ability to provide compassionate, evidence-based care. Books can be powerful tools in this journey, offering insights, strategies, and moments of reflection.
This curated list highlights impactful books that span trauma, addiction, therapy techniques, and clinician self-care, with a special focus on addiction. These reads are sure to deepen your understanding and enrich your practice.
Books on Addiction and Substance Use Disorders
1. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Maté, M.D.
Dr. Maté offers a deeply empathetic exploration of addiction through his work with individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. He examines the root causes of addiction, such as trauma, stress, and early childhood experiences, while challenging societal stigma.
Why we recommend it: This book emphasizes compassion over judgment and offers a biopsychosocial approach to understanding addiction—a perspective critical for clinicians.
2. The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease by Marc Lewis, Ph.D.
Dr. Lewis, a neuroscientist and person in recovery, argues that addiction is a learned behavior rather than a disease. He supports his claims with neuroscience and personal stories.
Why we recommend it: This thought-provoking book challenges conventional views and offers alternative frameworks for understanding addiction, sparking important dialogue among clinicians.
3. Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction by Judith Grisel, Ph.D.
Dr. Grisel, a neuroscientist and former addict, combines her expertise and lived experience to explain how substances alter the brain and drive compulsive behaviors.
Why we recommend it: This book provides a clear, science-based understanding of addiction while underscoring the importance of empathy and recovery support.
4. Addiction Treatment: A Strengths Perspective by Katherine van Wormer and Diane Rae Davis
This book presents a strengths-based approach to addiction treatment, emphasizing resilience and empowerment over pathology.
Why we recommend it: Its practical strategies and focus on client strengths make it a valuable guide for clinicians working in diverse treatment settings.
Books Addressing Trauma and Mental Health
1. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
A foundational work in understanding trauma, this book explores the ways in which trauma is stored in the body and its long-term effects on physical and mental health. Dr. van der Kolk combines scientific research with clinical anecdotes, making this essential for anyone working with trauma survivors.
Why we recommend it: Its holistic approach to healing integrates neuroscience, attachment theory, and innovative treatments, offering practical insights you can apply in therapy.
2. Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick
This classic text introduces the principles of motivational interviewing (MI), a collaborative and goal-oriented counseling style designed to elicit and strengthen motivation for change.
Why we recommend it: MI is a cornerstone in addiction and mental health treatment, and this book provides clear guidance for implementing it effectively in practice.
3. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., and Amelia Nagoski, DMA
Burnout is a growing concern among mental health clinicians. This book offers science-backed strategies to address chronic stress and reconnect with purpose.
Why we recommend it: It not only helps you understand the mechanisms of stress but also provides actionable tools for self-care and resilience—essential for those caring for others.
4. Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman, M.D.
This groundbreaking book provides a framework for understanding the complex nature of trauma and its impact on individuals and communities. Dr. Herman’s work remains a cornerstone in trauma-informed care.
Why we recommend it: The book’s detailed exploration of trauma dynamics and recovery phases makes it invaluable for clinicians working in diverse settings.
5. No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy has gained significant traction for its compassionate approach to understanding and healing the mind. This book introduces the model and its potential to transform lives.
Why we recommend it: IFS emphasizes self-compassion and the multiplicity of the human psyche, providing a refreshing perspective for mental health professionals.
6. Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche by Ethan Watters
This thought-provoking book examines how Western approaches to mental health are exported globally, often overshadowing local cultural understandings of mental illness.
Why we recommend it: It challenges clinicians to consider cultural competence and the broader implications of mental health treatment in a globalized world.
7. What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., and Oprah Winfrey
A deeply empathetic exploration of trauma, this book blends neuroscience and storytelling to shed light on the profound effects of childhood experiences.
Why we recommend it: Its conversational style and practical insights make it accessible and relevant for clinicians across disciplines.
8. The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom, M.D.
This collection of insights and anecdotes from Dr. Yalom’s decades of practice offers wisdom on the art and science of psychotherapy.
Why we recommend it: Yalom’s reflections on the therapeutic relationship provide inspiration and practical advice for clinicians at any stage of their career.
Books can inspire growth, challenge perspectives, and provide fresh tools to improve your practice. We hope these recommendations resonate with you and enhance your work in supporting individuals through addiction and mental health challenges.
We’d love to hear from you: What books have had the greatest impact on your professional journey? Email us your book recommendations at info@ireta.org. We’ll compile a list of reader recommendations for a future blog.
