One of my favorite parts of the end of the year is seeing everyone post on social media how many books they read and what their favorite books of the year were. Like most therapists, I am constantly wanting to read more about theories, psychology, mindset, and human behavior, as I want to be able to offer clients recommendations on books to read (if they want to) that I believe are good and could be helpful to augment our work together.

Last year, I reviewed the therapy books that I read, and there were some that I would definitely recommend and others that I would say, don’t waste your time (you can take a look here). While I focused more on reading for fun this year, I did read a few therapy books, and you can find my thoughts below!

A woman wearing a yellow sweater picks up a book from a shelf. This image represents a professional woman reading self-help books on anxiety, trauma, and imposter syndrome.

It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People by Ramani Durvasula

This was, without a doubt, my favorite “therapy” book I read last year. As a psychologist working with clients who have anxiety and trauma, some of my clients have people in their lives with narcissistic tendencies. And while the word narcissist is gaining popularity (hint: not every mean person is a narcissist), Ramani does a great job explaining what narcissistic abuse actually looks like. What I appreciated about this book was that she focused well on identifying narcissistic behaviors, how this abuse affects people in relationships with narcissists, factors that make it difficult to set boundaries with a narcissist, and she provided practical steps for those in relationships with narcissists to heal.

It can be difficult to determine what is real and what is not when you're in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies. Their habit of shifting blame, gaslighting, denying your reality, and swinging between love and rage makes it challenging to trust your own experience. Ramani does an excellent job explaining this pattern while also offering steps and tools to help those who feel stuck.

Sometimes, I felt this book would be most helpful for people in a romantic relationship with a narcissist or who have a parent that might be narcissistic. However, I also believe it remains useful for those in relationships with narcissists outside of romantic or parent-child contexts.

If you believe you're in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies, I strongly recommend seeking professional help for yourself.

A black woman with long braids and glasses holds a coffee cup while reading a book. This image represents a professional woman in Austin, Texas reading self-help books on anxiety, imposter syndrome, and trauma.

Values in Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life by Jenna LeJeune and Jason B. Luoma

As an anxiety and trauma therapist in Austin, Texas, I primarily work with clients to explore how early childhood experiences influence their current relationships with others and themselves. In therapy terms, I’m a psychodynamic therapist. Because of this, I am less familiar with a type of therapy called ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). This book, which is aimed at clinicians and mental health professionals, was very helpful in guiding me to think about my own personal values, my professional values (similar to my personal values), and in assisting my clients to identify their values and lead more meaningful lives.

A big takeaway I learned from the book was that values include the essence of a behavior. So while I personally value my relationships (both personal and professional), it made me think about who I am in those relationships. Do I show up as kind, compassionate, and open? And is having open, reciprocal, and compassionate relationships what helps me lead a fulfilling life? Absolutely! I really loved the question “If you are 80 and looking back on your life, what would tell you you lived a meaningful life?” It’s something I have started using in my work with clients to help them become more connected to what’s important to them.

While this book is for clinicians, there are many tools and websites clients can visit to start examining their values (ADD LINK TO VALUES CARD SORT).

Books lay open on a desk near a window. This image represents how reading self-help books can be helpful in addition to therapy. Dr. Molly Moore is an anxiety and trauma therapist in Austin, Texas who works with professional women.

Memoirs

While these were the only two “therapy” books I read, I also read many memoirs this past year on mental health, trauma, healing, etc. I personally don’t usually rate memoirs because they are deeply personal and subjective. However, below are some memoirs I read and really liked. With memoirs, I recommend being cautious about potential triggers, as reading some of these can be destabilizing if you have similar lived experiences.

Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz (a memoir of One Tree Hill’s Bethany Joy Lenz’s experience in a religious cult)

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Laura Love Hardin (a memoir of motherhood and addiction)

Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner (a memoir of childhood trauma in childhood acting)

Final Thoughts

Reading self-help books can be helpful on your healing journey. Reading can help you gain insight but sometimes that may not be enough. If you are like my clients, you may not need more self-help books. You’re insightful, resourced and knowledgeable, but insight alone hasn’t been enough. I love working with my high-achieving women because they genuinely want to get to the root of their anxiety and trauma and develop lasting healing. If this sounds like you, I would love to hear from you.

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If you are a high-achieving woman who finds herself needing more support beyond mental health accounts on Instagram and self-help books, I would love to hear from you.

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Other Services Offered by Dr. Molly Moore of Moore Psychotherapy, PLLC

Are you a high-achieving woman who struggles with anxiety, impostor syndrome, and burnout? I’m Dr. Molly Moore, a licensed psychologist in Austin, TX, who specializes in working with high-achieving women just like you. In addition to helping clients ditch anxiety with Therapy for Anxiety, I also help women overcome self-doubt and feeling like a fraud with Therapy for Imposter Syndrome. Therapy for Burnout is for women who are exhausted—emotionally and physically—to find relief and be productive without sacrificing their needs. In my practice, I provide Online Therapy in Texas. To learn more about me and the work I do, check out my About Me page and my blog.

My 2025 Therapy Book Review as an Anxiety and Trauma Therapist