Best Books for Healing Childhood Trauma
Healing from childhood trauma is a long road, and therapy is just one part of that journey. Therapy sessions are typically only an hour once a week, and while we, as therapists, wish we could be there for you all the time, the reality is we can’t. That’s where books come in. They can give you additional insights, deepen your understanding, and provide practical tools to apply when you’re not in the therapy room.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
This book is dense, basically a textbook. The Body Keeps the Score is the book to read if you want to understand how trauma impacts not only the mind, but the body too. If you’ve been wondering why you can’t shake those triggers or why you seem to freak out when you’re just trying to relax, this book will give you some answers.
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
Peter Levine takes a look at how animals handle trauma and what we can learn from them. This book shows how trauma shows up in your body and how to release it. This is about reembodying your physical self and starting to heal from the inside out.
Trauma and Recovery by Judith L. Herman
If you’re in the mood for a deep dive into the psychology and history of trauma and recovery, this one’s a must. Judith Herman explains trauma in a way that actually makes sense, focusing on the recovery process. It’s not light reading, but if you’re ready to understand trauma from all angles, including how society impacts it, this is the one. As a trauma therapist, I re-read this book once a year as a reminder to myself of the far-reaching impacts of trauma. It's a tough read, but it's essential for understanding the full scope of trauma’s effects, and the possibility of recovery.
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris
This getis to the nitty-gritty science of how childhood trauma messes with your brain and body. The Deepest Well by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is your textbook, but in a way that doesn’t feel like a lecture. She goes through the research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how they affect everything from your health to your relationships.
What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Instead of asking "what’s wrong with you?"; What Happened to You? flips the script. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey team up to explore the science behind trauma and how it affects your brain and behavior.
Healing Tools & Practical Guides
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
If you’re dealing with CPTSD (yep, that’s a real thing and we’ve got a blog post about it here!), Pete Walker’s got you covered. From Surviving to Thriving isn’t just for those who’ve survived the impossible; it’s for people who want to break the cycle and start truly living again. Walker breaks down how childhood trauma leads to CPTSD, and then gives you the tools to fix your brain. Seriously, if you feel stuck, this is the book you need.
The Trauma Recovery Toolkit by Susan Pease Banitt
This book is full of “okay, let’s actually do something” exercises. If you’re tired of reading about trauma but never actually feeling like you’re getting anywhere, The Trauma Recovery Toolkit is a must. It’s packed with exercises to help you process and manage those overwhelming emotions.
The CPTSD Workbook: Your Guide to Healing from Trauma and Reclaiming Your Life by Arielle Schwartz
Looking for something more hands-on? This workbook is packed with exercises to help you work through CPTSD. It has tools for managing emotional regulation, addressing triggers, or navigating the healing process. Arielle Schwartz breaks down trauma symptoms into three major categories: avoidance symptoms, intrusive symptoms, and depressive symptoms. It’s a practical, easy-to-follow guide that helps you identify and address your unique set of trauma reactions and symptoms, giving you clear steps to move forward.
Healing the Child Within by Charles L. Whitfield
In Healing the Child Within, Charles Whitfield takes a deep dive into reconnecting with that part of yourself and healing from the wounds of your childhood. If you’ve ever felt like your inner child is running the show, this book will help you re-parent yourself and start healing that deep, old pain.
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach
Healing from trauma often means learning to stop beating yourself up. This book helps you leave the shame and self-criticism behind and start embracing who you are. If you struggle with self-judgment or find it hard to give yourself the compassion you need, this book will make a huge difference.
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
If you’ve experienced childhood sexual abuse, The Courage to Heal is essential reading. It’s real, and it’s packed with practical exercises that can help you reclaim your power This book is a lifeline for women survivors who need support and a roadmap for healing.
Generational & Family Trauma
It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
Spoiler alert: you might not just be dealing with your own trauma. It Didn’t Start with You digs into the idea of generational trauma. Mark Wolynn explores how emotional baggage from your ancestors can show up in your life, and how you can break the cycle. If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this all feel so familiar?” this book is for you.
Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life by Susan Forward
This book is like a wake-up call. It helps you recognize harmful behaviors and understand how they’ve shaped you as an adult. The book is split into two parts: the first focuses on different types of family dysfunction and forms of abuse, with individual chapters dedicated to each. The second half is more like a workbook, offering structured steps on how to heal and reclaim your life. It's a powerful resource for breaking free from the hold your parents may still have on you and starting the journey toward healing.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
If your parents were emotionally immature (and we’re talking about the ones who can’t handle their feelings or treat you like an emotional adult), this book is a solid read. Lindsay Gibson dives into how these types of parents affect your adulthood, and gives you the tools to create healthier relationships moving forward.
Memoirs of Survival and Recovery
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
Stephanie Foo’s memoir What My Bones Know is a raw, personal account of her own trauma recovery. It’s like reading a friend’s story of survival and healing—and she doesn’t hold back. This book is brutally honest, powerful, and a must-read if you want to hear someone else’s story that feels like your own.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Chanel Miller’s Know My Name tells the story behind the Stanford sexual assault case—from the night of the attack to the aftermath and her fight to reclaim her voice. It’s powerful, poetic, and deeply human. A must-read for anyone who’s ever felt silenced. Her writing doesn’t just tell the truth—it demands to be heard.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy’s I'm Glad My Mom Died is sharp, painful, and surprisingly funny. It’s her story of growing up as a child actor under the control of an abusive, narcissistic mother—and what it took to start healing once she was gone. McCurdy’s voice is honest and unflinching, making space for the complexity of grief, anger, and freedom. If you've ever struggled with a parent’s expectations or felt trapped in a role that wasn’t yours to play, this memoir will hit hard—and stay with you.
