Explore a growing
library of resources on trauma and healing.
This is a living, evolving collection — many of these resources have guided and supported my own healing journey. I hope something here meets you wherever you are and offers support along the way. If you’re not sure where to begin, start with what feels most accessible — there’s no right place to start.
Body-based trauma; our bodies keep the score.
Somatic Experiencing; trauma in the nervous system.
Polyvagal Theory; safety and the autonomic nervous system.
Foundational trauma framework.
Trauma and the developing brain; children and resilience.
Trauma, stress, and chronic illness/addiction.
Interpersonal neurobiology; attachment and integration.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); links between early trauma and long-term physical health.
Complex PTSD; highly relatable for survivors.
Foundational Trauma + Understanding
- The Body Keeps the Score— Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
The modern cornerstone of trauma understanding. Explains how trauma lives in the body—and why healing requires more than just talking about it.
- Healing Trauma— Dr. Peter Levine
A short, practical guide with exercises to help release trauma stored in the nervous system.
- Waking the Tiger— Dr. Peter Levine
A deeper dive into somatic healing—how the body processes and resolves trauma when given the right conditions.
- The Myth of Normal— Dr. Gabor Maté
A powerful exploration of how chronic stress and trauma shape our health—challenging what we consider “normal” in modern life.
- When the Body Says No— Dr. Gabor Maté
Explores the connection between stress, emotional patterns, and physical illness—highlighting the body’s signals when boundaries are ignored.
- What Happened to You?— Dr. Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
A compassionate, story-driven introduction to trauma and the brain—helping readers understand how past experiences shape behavior, emotions, and relationships.
- The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Child Adversity— Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
A powerful look at how childhood adversity (ACEs) impacts lifelong health—and why early intervention matters.
Understanding Complex Trauma + Emotional Patterns
- Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving (+ Workbook)— Pete Walker, LCSW
A go-to guide for anyone navigating complex trauma. Compassionate, validating, and incredibly practical.
- The Tao of Fully Feeling— Pete Walker, LCSW
A deeper, more emotional exploration of grief, anger, and what it means to truly feel and heal.
- The Dance of Anger— Harriet Lerner
A powerful guide to understanding anger as a signal—not a problem—especially in relationships where patterns of over-giving, silence, or resentment show up.
- The End of Trauma— Dr. George Bonanno
A refreshing, research-based perspective on resilience—challenging the idea that trauma always leads to long-term damage.
- The Drama of the Gifted Child— Alice Miller
A classic exploration of how early emotional environments shape identity and self-worth—best for readers ready to explore deeper roots of childhood adaptation.
Breaking Cycles + Rewriting the Story
- It Didn’t Start with You— Mark Wolynn
A compelling look at how trauma can be passed down through generations—offering insight and tools to help break inherited patterns and create change.
- Break the Cycle— Dr. Mariel Buqué
A clear, empowering guide to understanding and healing intergenerational trauma—so patterns don’t keep repeating.
- No Bad Parts— Dr. Richard Schwartz
An accessible introduction to “parts work”—helping you understand the different pieces of yourself with compassion instead of judgment.
The Body, Food + Emotional Coping
- Healing Emotional Eating for Trauma Survivors— Diane Petrella, MSW
A gentle, insightful look at the connection between trauma and eating patterns, with tools for healing without shame.
- Nourish: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food, Body, and Self— Heidi Schauster, MS, RDN
A beautiful integration of trauma-informed nutrition + embodiment. Schauster draws on decades of clinical work in disordered eating and helps readers move from control-based eating to self-trust and self-compassion through a structured, holistic process.
- Eating in the Light of the Moon— Anita Johnston, PhD
A more narrative, symbolic approach that explores the emotional and cultural roots of disordered eating—helping readers understand why their relationship with food exists, not just how to change it.
Relationships, Attachment + Nervous System Regulation
- Attached— Dr. Amir Levine + Rachel Heller
Helps make sense of how we connect, attach, and sometimes struggle in relationships—through the lens of attachment science.
- Anchored— Deb Dana, LCSW
A practical, user-friendly guide to understanding your nervous system and creating a sense of safety from within.
Inner Child + Deep Emotional Work
- The Inner Child Workbook— Cathryn Taylor
A hands-on, reflective guide to reconnecting with and healing younger parts of yourself.
- The Loving Parent Guidebook— ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families)
A deeply practical, step-by-step guide to reparenting yourself—learning how to build an internal sense of safety, structure, and compassion when it may not have been there growing up.
Parenting, Caregiving + Development
- Nourished— Dr. Deborah MacNamara
A beautiful exploration of attachment, development, and what children truly need to feel safe and supported.
- The Parenting Tao Te Ching— William Martin
Gentle, grounding wisdom for raising children with presence, patience, and perspective.
Reflection, Meaning + Daily Grounding
- The Book of Awakening— Mark Nepo
A daily companion for reflection and presence—less about trauma directly, more about staying connected to yourself as you heal.
Understanding Difficult Family Dynamics
- It’s Not You— Dr. Ramani Durvasula
A clear, compassionate guide to understanding and healing from narcissistic relationships—helping readers make sense of confusion, self-doubt, and emotional harm without blame.
- Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents— Lindsay C. Gibson
Helps readers understand the impact of emotionally unavailable or immature caregivers, offering insight, validation, and tools for healing and boundary-setting.
Where healing becomes practice—not just information.
Immersive + Experiential
Intimate, guided group experiences rooted in storytelling and connection—offering a safe space to process trauma, be witnessed, and heal in community.
An integrative, personalized approach that weaves together nourishment, personal story, and emotional healing—supporting lasting change from the inside out.
A powerful storytelling-based approach to healing—helping individuals process lived experiences, find meaning, and feel seen, heard, and understood.
Renowned for its immersive workshops and retreats, Onsite offers deep, in-person healing experiences focused on trauma, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
Education + Training
Founded by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, this organization bridges cutting-edge trauma research with education—bringing science-informed healing to clinicians and the public.
Offers training and resources grounded in somatic and experiential trauma healing—supporting a deeper understanding of the body’s role in recovery.
Provides accessible education on the nervous system and the science of safety—helping people understand how to regulate, connect, and build resilience.
A comprehensive, science-based resource offering education, screening tools, and guidance on understanding and addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress.
Simple, supportive ways to build awareness, connection + daily change.
Self-Assessment + Awareness
A foundational tool that helps you understand how early life experiences may influence your current health, stress responses, and behavioral patterns. It’s not about labeling—it’s about awareness.
Offers a deeper look at your relationship with food—highlighting patterns like emotional eating, hunger sensitivity, and how you respond to food cues.
Mindful Eating + Food Awareness
A photo-based food journal that encourages mindfulness without judgment—helping you observe patterns, habits, and emotions around eating in a more intuitive way.
A simple scanning tool that breaks down ingredient quality in packaged foods—supporting clearer, more informed choices without overwhelm.
