Why am I passionate about this?

As a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist, I have dedicated my life to understanding and healing the wounds of trauma and stress. My passion comes from witnessing the power of blending neuroscience with therapy in my personal and professional life. The resilience and healing I see daily inspire me. My work empowers individuals to reclaim their mental health and build resilient minds. This curated book list reflects my commitment to accessible, actionable tools for self-healing and growth. I believe mental health is a human right, though access to therapy is a privilege. These authors offer empowering, insightful works to put healing into everyone’s hands.


I wrote

Healing In Your Hands: Self-Havening Practices to Harness Neuroplasticity, Heal Traumatic Stress, and Build Resilience

By Kate Truitt,

Book cover of Healing In Your Hands: Self-Havening Practices to Harness Neuroplasticity, Heal Traumatic Stress, and Build Resilience

What is my book about?

Written by Dr. Kate Truitt, a psychologist, neuroscientist, and trauma expert, Healing in Your Hands is the first book of…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body

Kate Truitt Why did I love this book?

This book offers a practical, step-by-step guide to overcoming trauma by reconnecting with the body’s innate healing wisdom while building a loving relationship with oneself. I love this book because Levine’s somatic experiencing approach emphasizes the importance of body awareness, which is crucial in trauma recovery.

His gentle techniques for releasing trauma stored in the body are both simple and profound, making complex concepts easy to understand and implement. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to heal from trauma and build healthier relationships with their bodies.

By Peter A. Levine,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Healing Trauma as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An indispensable guide offers methods to overcome the challenges faced after experiencing a traumatic situation--such as an accident, disaster, or childhood trauma--helping survivors heal their traumas rather than relive them. Original.


Book cover of The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook: Practical Mind-Body Tools to Heal Trauma, Foster Resilience and Awaken Your Potential

Kate Truitt Why did I love this book?

This one provides a structured program for transforming trauma into an opportunity for growth. I personally appreciate Schwartz’s compassionate advice and actionable steps, which make the healing process approachable and empowering.

Her emphasis on posttraumatic growth rather than just recovery inspires me, encouraging readers to find meaning and purpose in their experiences. This guidebook is filled with practical exercises and strategies that have been invaluable in my work. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to turn adversity into strength and thrive in the face of challenges.

By Arielle Schwartz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Traumatic life experiences can be devastating and they inevitably shape who you are. Such events can also become a powerful force that awakens you to an undercurrent of your own aliveness. Trauma recovery involves learning to trust in your capacity for new growth. In order to grow, we must make use of our suffering in order to find our happiness.

Within these pages, you will find an invitation to see yourself as the hero or heroine of your own life journey. A hero's journey involves walking into the darkness on a quest for wholeness. This interactive format calls for journaling…


Book cover of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness

Kate Truitt Why did I love this book?

This book offers practical strategies for building inner strength and emotional stability. I love how Hanson combines the science of neuroplasticity with accessible, actionable steps for fostering resilience. His warm and engaging writing style makes complex concepts relatable, and the exercises can be easily integrated into daily life.

I find Hanson’s emphasis on the power of small, consistent practices to create lasting change both encouraging and motivating. This book has been a valuable companion in my personal and professional life, and I strongly recommend it for building resilience and finding calm amidst life’s challenges.

By Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Resilient as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Your key to lasting happiness, self-love and inner peace

'A master of his craft' - Prof Mark Williams, bestselling author of Mindfulness: a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world

Rick Hanson, author of the New York Times bestselling Hardwiring Happiness, is known for his trademark blend of neuroscience, positive psychology and contemplative practices. In Resilient, he explains how to build the very foundations of well-being by harnessing the power of positive experiences to build an unshakeable core.

Dr. Hanson poses that anyone can build up resilience, the key to a positive mindset, unshakeable sense of self and…


Book cover of The Anxiety Healer's Guide: Coping Strategies and Mindfulness Techniques to Calm the Mind and Body

Kate Truitt Why did I love this book?

This book offers a practical and holistic approach to managing anxiety. I love that this book has actionable coping strategies and mindfulness techniques designed to calm the mind and body. Seponara’s compassionate and accessible writing provides readers with tools to address anxiety in their daily lives.

Her emphasis on empirically grounded tools from cognitive behavioral therapy combined with self-care exercises and holistic healing resonates deeply with my own approach to mental health. Seponara’s personal anecdotes and professional insights make the book relatable and motivating.

This guide has been a valuable resource for my clients, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to take control of their anxiety and improve their overall well-being.

By Alison Seponara,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Anxiety Healer's Guide as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Discover practical, natural, on-the-go solutions for combating anxiety with this must-have guide.

How can you begin holistically tackling your anxiety whenever the moment strikes? In The Anxiety Healer's Guide licensed counselor and creator of the Instagram account @TheAnxietyHealer Alison Seponara brings her expertise and commitment to healing anxiety to the world. While the journey toward recovery might look different for everyone, this portable resource is full of concrete activities, tools, and techniques that have been scientifically proven to calm the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system and give sufferers a better sense of control over their minds and bodies.

This comprehensive, easy-to-use…


Book cover of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive

Kate Truitt Why did I love this book?

My last pick is a transformative resource for developing self-kindness and emotional resilience. I love this workbook because it has practical exercises and guided practices that foster self-compassion. Neff and Germer’s approach, which combines mindfulness with self-compassion, offers a powerful framework for personal growth.

Their warm and empathetic writing makes the journey towards self-compassion manageable and rewarding. This workbook has been a treasure trove of tools for building inner strength and finding peace within. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to cultivate a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

By Kristin Neff, Christopher Germer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Are you kinder to others than you are to yourself? More than a thousand research studies show the benefits of being a supportive friend to yourself, especially in times of need. This science-based workbook offers a step-by-step approach to breaking free of harsh self-judgments and impossible standards in order to cultivate emotional well-being. In a convenient large-size format, the book is based on the authors' groundbreaking eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, which has helped tens of thousands of people worldwide. It is packed with guided meditations (with audio downloads); informal practices to do anytime, anywhere; exercises; and vivid stories of…


Explore my book 😀

Healing In Your Hands: Self-Havening Practices to Harness Neuroplasticity, Heal Traumatic Stress, and Build Resilience

By Kate Truitt,

Book cover of Healing In Your Hands: Self-Havening Practices to Harness Neuroplasticity, Heal Traumatic Stress, and Build Resilience

What is my book about?

Written by Dr. Kate Truitt, a psychologist, neuroscientist, and trauma expert, Healing in Your Hands is the first book of its kind to integrate the neuroscience of trauma with cutting-edge research on self-havening—a groundbreaking technique that draws on the power of mindful touch to heal even the most profound traumatic stress. It weaves together powerful client stories, insights from the field of neuroscience, and personalized havening practices to create a complete self-healing program that anyone can use.

With the simple and effective tools in this book, you will learn how to:
Draw upon your brain’s amazing ability to heal itself
Build a trusting relationship with your mind and body
Soothe your nervous system in moments of reactivity
Create feelings of safety, agency, and personal empowerment
...all with the palms of your own hands.

Book cover of Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body
Book cover of The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook: Practical Mind-Body Tools to Heal Trauma, Foster Resilience and Awaken Your Potential
Book cover of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness

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The Last Ranger: Ranger of the Titan Wilds

By J.D.L. Rosell,

Book cover of The Last Ranger: Ranger of the Titan Wilds

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author Hiker Reader Gamer Cat dad

J.D.L.'s 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Betrayed. Hunted. Left for dead. 

But not even death itself can keep the last ranger from vengeance...

Embark on a new epic fantasy tale full of magic, revenge, and rampaging titans in the latest series written by bestselling author J.D.L. Rosell.

The Last Ranger: Ranger of the Titan Wilds

By J.D.L. Rosell,

What is this book about?

Betrayed. Hunted. Left for dead. But not even death itself can keep the last ranger from vengeance.

Leiyn "Firebrand" is no stranger to a fight. A brash ranger of the Titan Wilds, she takes up her bow to ward against the colossal spirit creatures known as titans, ever a threat to the colonies she has sworn to protect.

But no amount of skill can guard against treachery.

When tragedy strikes the rangers' lodge, Leiyn vows to avenge the fallen. But if she is to succeed, she must embrace a power within her she has long denied.

Power to move mountains…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in compassion, Hero's journey, and anxiety?

Compassion 33 books
Hero's Journey 14 books
Anxiety 216 books