Here are some of my favorite resources. Naturally there is some overlap between sections, so you may find resources in one section that could also be in another one. Click on a section title to jump down to that part of the list:

Psychological Counselling

Bass, Ellen and Davis, Laura. Courage to Heal. 2008

Beattie, Melody. Co-dependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself. 1986

Brown, Brené. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. 2010. and her TED talks!

Blackstone, Judith. Belonging Here: A Guide for the Spiritually Sensitive Person. 2012

Blackstone, Judith. Trauma and the Unbound Body: The Healing Power of Fundamental Consciousness. 2018

More Judith Blackstone

Brown, Byron. Soul Without Shame: a Guide to Liberating Yourself from the Judge Within. 1998

Caudill, Margaret A. Managing Pain Before It Manages You. 2015

Curable App for Pain Relief. On Android, iOS and your computer. Utilizing the most up-to-date research to offer education, special meditations, expressive writing, and brain training to reduce or heal from chronic pain — with a dash of AI to easily tailor the program to your preferences.

Epstein, Donald (with Altman, Natheniel). The 12 Stages of Healing: a Network Approach to Wellness. 1994

Hanson, PhD., Rick (with Mendius, M.D., Richard). Buddha’s Brain: the Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom. 2009

Healing Touch offered in Vancouver at Knox United Church by donation

Levine, Peter. Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in Search for the Living Past: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Working with Traumatic Memory. 2015

Marchiano, Lisa. Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself. 2021

McLaren, Karla. The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You. 2010

for Men: Online resource for men wondering if they need help with depression.

Poole-Heller, Diane. The Power of Attachment: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships. 2019

More Diane Poole-Heller

Richardson, Dr. Ronald W. Family Ties that Bind: A Self-Help Guide to Change Through Family of Origin Therapy. 2011

SAFER – Suicide Attempt Follow-Up, Education & Research. S.A.F.E.R. is a free of charge, time-limited counselling service offered at Mental Health and Substance Use Outpatient Services of Vancouver Coastal Health

Satir, Virginia. Your Many Faces: The First Step to Being Loved. Updated from the original 1978 version

Siegel, Daniel J. The Neurobiology of “We”: How Relationships, the Mind, and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. 2008

Williams, Mark et al. The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness. 2007

Coaching

Assertion Skills Workbook. Great free resource. View individual modules online or download the whole manual.

Beck, Martha. The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life. 2003

Bridges, William, PhD. Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, Revised 25th Anniversary Edition. 2004

Carson, Richard D. Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way. 2003

Covey, Stephen R., et al. First Things First: Coping with the Ever Increasing Demands of the Workplace. 1999. Practical time management wisdom and strategies.

Doidge, M.D., Norman. The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. 2007

Freed, Rachel. Women’s Lives, Women’s Legacies: Passing Your Beliefs & Blessings to Future Generations by Creating Your Own Spiritual–Ethical Will. 2003

Kondo, Marie. the life-changing magic of tidying up: the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. 2014

McNally, David & Speak, Karl D. Be Your Own Brand: Achieve More of What You Want by Being More of Who You Are. 2011

O’Neill, Mary Beth. Executive Coaching with Backbone and Heart: A Systems Approach to Engaging Leaders with Their Challenges. 2007

Diversity and Inclusivity: BIPOC and more

Abel, Jordan. Nishga. 2021. A Nisga’a writer and professor of Indigenous Literatures and Creative Writing (U of Alberta). “Nishga is a deeply personal and autobiographical book that attempts to address the complications of contemporary Indigenous existence.” – CBC Books

Butler, Octavia. Kindred. 1979. Butler, a ground-breaking Afro-American author, combines realism with science fiction to explore Black identity and slavery–and creates a gripping, thought-provoking, emotive novel. Also check out her Xenogenesis trilogy (aka Lillith’s Brood) and Parable of the Sower.

Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. 2013. A mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

Lorde, Audre, Zami: A New Spelling of My Name. 1982. Lorde coined the term biomythography, a combination of history, biography, and myth, to describe her memoir of coming of age as Black and lesbian in post-World War II USA.

Menakem, Resmaa. My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies. 2017. A black American author, artist and psychotherapist specializing in the effects of trauma on the human body and relationships in black families and black society.

Owens, Lama Rod. Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation through Anger. 2020. A Buddhist teacher who “invites you into the cross sections of his life as a Black, queer male, born and raised in the South, and heavily influenced by the church and its community.”

Patterson, Kevin A. Love’s Not Color Blind: Race and Representation in Polyamorous and Other Alternative Communities. 2018. A Black educator, writer, and activist, part of the polyamory community.

Dreams & Intuition

Aizenstat, Stephen. Dream Tending: Awakening to the Healing Power of Dreams. 2001

Barasch, Marc Ian. Healing Dreams: Exploring the Dreams that Can Transform you Life. 2001

Dale, Cyndi. Energetic Boundaries: How to Stay Protected and Connected in Work, Love and Life. 2011

Dale, Cyndi. The Subtle Body: an Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy. 2009

Eden, Donna. Energy Medicine: Balancing Your Body’s Energies for Optimal Health, Joy and Vitality. 2008

Gee, Judee. Intuition: Awakening Your Inner Guide. 1999

Harary, Keith and Weintraub, Pamela. Lucid Dreams in 30 Days: the Creative Sleep Program. 1999

Ingerman, Sandra. Shamanic Journeying: A Beginner’s Guide. 2004

LaBerge, PhD, Stephen. Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming. 1991

LaBerge, Stephen YouTube 5 minute interview excerpt. 2010

LaBerge, Stephen. Lucid Dreaming Techniques, 15 minute interview goes beyond technique to the tremendous potential of lucid dreaming on a spiritual path. Science and Non Duality Conference. 2015

The Lucidity Institute, founded by Dr. Stephen LaBerge, with a wealth of articles and resources on lucid dreaming.

Ma Deva Padma. Tao Oracle: An Illustrated new approach to the I Ching, 64 cards and a book. 2002

Mindell, Arnold. The Quantum Mind and Healing: How to Listen and Respond to Your Body’s Symptoms. 2004

Moss, Robert. Active Dreaming: Journeying Beyond Self-Limitation to a Life of Wild Freedom<. 2011

Namkhai Norbu, Chogyal. Dream Yoga: and the Practice of Natural Light. 2002

Pierce, Penney. The Intuitive Way: The Definitive Guide to Increasing Your Awareness. 2009

Schulz, MD, PhD, Mona Lisa. Awakening Intuition: Using Your Mind-Body Network for Insight and Healing. 1998

Upledger, D.O., O.M.M., John E. Cell Talk: Talking to Your Cell(f). 2003

Whitton, Joel and Fisher, Joe. Life Between Life. 1988

Spiritual Growth

Almaas, A.H. Personality & Essence. Great 5 minute YouTube video. (nd, likely from late 1980’s)

Almaas, A.H. Diamond Heart Book One: Elements of the Real in Man. 1987 (a lovely primer if you are interested in learning more about the Diamond Approach – don’t let the sexist title put you off, Almaas began to write in non-sexist language a few years later)

Almaas, A.H. The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence. 2008

More A.H. Almaas

Anand, Margot. The Art of Everyday Ecstasy: the Seven Tantric Keys for Bringing Passion, Spirit, and Joy into Every Part of Your Life. 1998

Douglas-Klotz, Neil, trans. Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus. 1990

Dzogchen Ponlop. Wild Awakening: the Heart of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. 2003

Johnson, Karen. The Jeweled Path: the Biography of the Diamond Approach to Inner Realization. 2018

Ladinsky, Daniel, trans. A Year with Hafiz: Daily Contemplations. 2011

Liber, Dominic, with a forward by AH Almaas–Highly recommended. Diving in the Inner Ocean: An Introduction to Personal Transformation through Diamond Inquiry. 2021

Prager, Marcia. The Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine. 1998

Rumi, Jelaluddin. The Essential Rumi. 1995

Tarthang Tulku. Gesture of Balance: A Guide to Awareness, Self-healing and Meditation. 1977

Winston, Diana. The Little Book of Being: Practices and Guidance for Uncovering Your Natural Awareness. 2019

Dying, Death, and Afterlife

Almaas, AH. Wisdom of Life and Death. 1999

Botkin, Allan L and Hogan, Craig. Induced After Death Communication: A Miraculous Therapy for Grief and Loss. 2014

Didion, Joan. A Year of Magical Thinking. 2005

Heath, Pamela Rae and Klimo, Jon. Handbook to the Afterlife. 2010

Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth and Kessler, David. On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss. 2005. Includes Kübler-Ross’s later findings and wisdom about the afterlife.

Levine, Stephen. A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If it were Your Last. 1997Moody, Raymond. Many books, a pioneer in near death experiences (NDEs).Pearson, Patricia. Opening Heaven’s Door: What the Dying May Be Trying to Tell Us About Where They’re Going. 2014

Peters, William J. At Heaven’s Door: What Shared Journeys to the Afterlife Teach About Dying Well and Living Better. 2022Schlitz, Marilyn. Death Makes Life Possible: Revolutionary Insights on Living, Dying, and the Continuation of Consciousness. 2015Shinoda Bolen, M.D., Jean. Close to the Bone: Life–Threatening Illness as a Soul Journey. 2007Sogyal Rinpoche. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. 2020Yalom, Irvin D. A Matter of Death and Life. 2021Yalom, Irvin D. Staring at the Sun. Overcoming the Terror of Death. 2009

Relationships

Anand, Margot. The Art of Sexual Ecstasy: The Path of Sacred Sexuality for Western Lovers. 1989

Bayder, Ellen and Peter T Pearson, et al. Tell Me No Lies: How to Stop Lying to Your Partner—and Yourself–in the 4 Stages of Marriage. 2001

Chapman, Gary. The 5 Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. 1992

DeAngelis, PhD, Barbara. Are You the One for Me?: Knowing Who’s Right and Avoiding Who’s Wrong. 1993

Easton, Dossie and Hardy, Janet W. The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships & Other Adventures, 2nd Ed, Updated & Expanded. 2009

Engel, Beverly. The Emotionally Abusive Relationship: How to Stop Being Abused and How to Stop Abusing. 2002

Evans, Patricia. The Verbally Abusive Man Can He Change?: a Woman’s Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go. 2006

Fern, Jessica. Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogomy. 2020

  • Hendrix, Harville and Hunt, Helen. Getting the Love You Want Workbook. 2003
  • Perel, Esther. Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence. 2006Perel, Esther. The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity. 2017Schnarch, Dr. David. Intimacy & Desire: Awaken the Passion in Your Relationship. 2011Schnarch, Dr. David. Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love & Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships. 2009Tatkin, Stan. Wired for Dating: How Understanding Neurobiology and Attachment Style Can Help You Find Your Ideal Mate. 2016Taormino, Tristan. Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships. 2008

    Flourishing in Community

    Family, Nature & Systemic Constellations

    Another Self. Turkish Drama on Netflix weaves family constellations into the story of each of the main characters. Season 1 2022. Season 2 expected July 2023.

    Boring, Francesca Mason. Connecting to Our Ancestral Past: Healing through Family Constellations, Ceremony and Ritual. 2012

    Boring, Francesca Mason and Sloan, Kenneth E, Ed’s. Returning to Membership in Earth Community: Systemic Constellations with Nature. 2013

    Hellinger, Bert & Gabriele ten Hövel. Acknowledging What Is: Conversations with Bert Hellinger. 1999

    Hellinger, Bert, Weber, and Beaumont. Love’s Hidden Symmetry: What Makes Love Work in Relationships. 1998

    The Knowing Field Journal, an online journal dedicated to developments in systemic constellation work.

    Manne, Joy. Family Constellations: A Practical Guide to Uncovering the Origins of Family Conflict. 2009

    Sex, Love & goop, Episode 5 on Netflix. Constellation Facilitator Kato Wittich does a fine job leading two family constellations, one for each member of a romantic couple.

    van Kampenhout, Daan. Images of the Soul: the Workings of the Soul in Shamanic Rituals and Family Constellations. 1997

    Wolynn, Mark. It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle. 2016

    Climate Anxiety Resources

    Climate Cares

  • Hickman, Caroline.Climate Psychology
  • UBC Climate Hub. Climate Doom to Messy Hope: Climate Healing & Resilience A Practical Handbook for Climate Educators and Community
  • Wray, Britt. Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis. 2022. Refreshingly objective and wise. Not depressing!

 

 

 

Group Work & World Work

Fuller, Robert W and Gerloff, Pamela. Dignity for All: How to Create a World Without Rankism. 2008

Group Pattern Language Project. Group Works: A Pattern Language for Bringing Life to Meetings and Other Gatherings. A card deck for working with groups. 2012

Kaner, Sam, et al. Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. 2007. Tips and tricks illustrated with many straightforward diagrams.

Macy, Joanna and Brown, Molly. Coming Back to Life: The Updated Guide to the Work That Reconnects. 2014

Mindell, Arnold, PhD. The Leader as Martial Artist: Techniques and Strategies for Resolving Conflict and Creating Community. 1992

Senge, Peter, Scharmer, C Otto, Jaworski, Joseph and Flowers, Betty Sue. Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future. 2004

Sutherland, Kate. Make Light Work in Groups: 10 Tools to Transform Meetings, Companies and Communities. 2012

Wilber, Ken. A Theory of Everything: an Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science and Spirituality. 2000