The best books on really helpful psychology

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been fascinated by human behaviour since going to a school where we were told there was a right and a wrong way to do everything. That never felt right to me – human beings are much bigger than that! I studied Counselling and Therapy at Norwich City College in the 1990s and later specific courses on Transactional Analysis. Many years on, I am still learning…


I wrote...

Book cover of The Karpman Drama Triangle Explained: A Guide for Coaches, Managers, Trainers, Therapists – and Everybody Else

What is my book about?

The Karpman Drama Triangle is a psychological model used in counselling, therapy, and management. It is simple but extremely powerful. It makes sense of a lot of the stuff we see going on around us and also of our own motivations, especially at stressful times. 

In essence, the Triangle is about how we play the roles of Victim, Persecutor, or Rescuer and how we switch between them and rope other people into the drama. This book describes how the roles are learnt in childhood, why we keep playing them as adults, and how we can stop playing them, protect ourselves from other players, and move on to be bigger, better people.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Games People Play

Chris West Why did I love this book?

This is the classic book on "mind-games" by the great Eric Berne. This really opened up a window to me on how people manipulate others – and how I had done this to other people, too.

Although its tone is a bit dated and can be irritating, the material remains as relevant and insightful as ever.

By Eric Berne,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Games People Play as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In excellent condition


Book cover of The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want

Chris West Why did I love this book?

This book is based on the science of Positive Psychology, not just helpful tips from someone nice.

Since 1980, lots of serious research has been done on what behaviours and mindsets really make people happy – and the results are all here, in this clear, well-presented book. I dip back into this book regularly.

By Sonja Lyubomirsky,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The How of Happiness as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The key tenet of THE HOW OF HAPPINESS is that every human being has a happiness 'set point' which, depending on how high or low it is, can determine how positive or negative they feel. This book offers a practical approach to help readers increase their set point, and find a level of happiness above that which they would normally feel, and feel more satisfaction in life.

Based on scientific research and trials, this is a groundbreaking book that offers a practical plan to enable readers to achieve a more positive outlook at home, at work and in their personal…


Book cover of Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Chris West Why did I love this book?

Another classic from the Positive Psychology stable. "Flow" is that feeling of deep involvement in a task, especially one where our creativity and skill are challenged.

More generally, it is about clearing the mind of clutter and appreciating the moment. Another book I dip back into regularly. 

By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

“Csikszentmihalyi arrives at an insight that many of us can intuitively grasp, despite our insistent (and culturally supported) denial of this truth. That is, it is not what happens to us that determines our happiness, but the manner in which we make sense of that reality. . . . The manner in which Csikszentmihalyi integrates research on consciousness, personal psychology and spirituality is illuminating.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

The bestselling classic that holds the key to unlocking meaning, creativity, peak performance, and true happiness.

Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's famous investigations of "optimal experience" have revealed that what makes an…


Book cover of Narcissism: A New Theory

Chris West Why did I love this book?

Onto the darker side, now. This book outlines how narcissists behave but also posits an opposite force to narcissism (which is why I like it so much).

It’s written by a psychoanalyst, so Freud is lurking in the background, which I don’t always like, but Symington’s ideas are so interesting… Given the plethora of narcissistic politicians in the current world, this book is extraordinarily timely.

By Neville Symington,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The author presents fresh insights into the subject of narcissism, drawing on his vast clinical experience of treating people suffering from this disorder.


Book cover of A Game Free Life

Chris West Why did I love this book?

This isn’t the easiest of reads, but it is the Real Thing – the work of the man who discovered the Triangle itself.

I love its density and the fact that I can come back to it over and over again and find new ideas. Dr Karpman’s long experience as a working therapist speaks out from every page. 

By Stephen B. Karpman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Game Free Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


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Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

Book cover of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

Jim Brown Author Of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have spent my entire professional life quietly patrolling the frontiers of understanding human consciousness. I was an early adopter in the burgeoning field of biofeedback, then neurofeedback and neuroscience, plus theory and practices of humanistic and transpersonal psychology, plus steeping myself in systems theory as a context for all these other fields of focus. I hold a MS in psychology from San Francisco State University and a PhD from Saybrook Institute. I live in Mount Shasta CA with Molly, my life partner for over 60 years. We have two sons and two grandchildren.

Jim's book list on brain, mind, and consciousness

What is my book about?

In this thoroughly researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development.

He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind.

Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through lifelong brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.

Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

What is this book about?

In this thoroughly-researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development. He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to truly engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind. Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through life-long brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.


5 book lists we think you will like!

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