Wendy Molinaroli, Ph.D.
Wendy’s Bookshelf
A curated reading list for deeper reflection and support.
Welcome to my bookshelf! Here you’ll find books I’ve read on recovery, relationships, trauma, spirituality, and more. Explore by topic, and follow the linked titles to learn more or purchase a copy.
Some book links are Amazon affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.
These books are optional resources for reflection and learning. They are not a substitute for individualized care. If you have a question about a book, please contact me.
Recovery, shame & mindfulness
- Johnson, Robert A. Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche. Harper Collins, 1993. ↗
- Brown, Brené. The Gifts of Imperfection: Letting Go of Who You Think You’re supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. ↗
- Ford, Deborah. The Dark Side of the Light Chasers. ↗
- Ruiz, Don Miguel, Mills, Janet. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom ↗
- Weiss, Robert. Prodependence: Moving Beyond Codependency. ↗
- Hamilton, B. Twelve Step Sponsorship: How It Works. Hazelden Publishing.
- Mackesy, Charlie. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse.
- Glossinger, JB PhD. The Sacred 6. ↗
- Welch, Caroline. The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women. ↗
- P., Bill, W., Todd, S., Sara. Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects - Steps Six and Seven. ↗
- H., Fred. Drop the Rock - the Ripple Effect: Using Step 10 to Work Steps 6 and 7 Every Day.
- Hanson, Rick, Siegel, Daniel J. Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom.
- Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out. ↗
- Hanson, Rick, Hanson, Forrest. Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. ↗
- Victore, James, LaPorte,Danielle. Feck Perfuction. ↗
- Ledoux, Joseph. The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life. Simon and Schuster. ↗
- Claiborne, Shane. The Irresistible Revolution, Updated and Expanded: Living as an Ordinary Radical. ↗
- Freeman, Arthur, PhD. Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: Overcoming Regrets, Mistakes and Missed Opportunities ↗
- Frankl, Viktor, E. Man’s Search For Meaning ↗
- Carroll, A. & Gregory, C. Exhale: Lose Who You’re Not, Love Who You Are, And Live Your One Life Well. House, MN, 2019 ↗
- Panksepp, J. Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human And Animal Emotions. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. ↗
Trauma
- Carnes, Patrick. The Betrayal Bond: Breaking Free of Exploitive Relationships. ↗
- Fisher, Janina. Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists. PESI Publishing and Media ↗
- Fisher, Janina. Healing the Fragmented selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation. ↗
- Sweeton, Jennifer, PsyD. Trauma Treatment Toolbox: 165 Brain-Changing Tips, Tools & Handouts to Move Therapy Forward. ↗
- Dana, Deb, Porges, Stephen W. The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology. ↗
- Perry, Bruce D., Szalavitz, Mala. The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook - What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing. ↗
- McBride, Phd, Karyl. Will I Ever Be Good Enough?: Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers. ↗
- Rothbaum, Barbara, Foa, Edna, Hembree, Elizabeth. Reclaiming Your Life from a Traumatic Experience: A Prolonged Exposure Treatment Program. ↗
- Van der Kolk, MD, B. The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, And Body In The Healing of Trauma. New York: Viking Penguin, 2014. ↗
- Kuhn, PhD, C., Swartwelder, PhD, S., &Wilson, PhD,W. Buzzed: The Straight Facts About The Most Used and Abused Drugs From Alcohol to Ecstacy. Duke University Medical Center. ↗
Attachment theory
- McDaniel, Kelly. Mother Hunger: How Adult Daughters Can Understand and Heal from Lost Nurturance, Protection, and Guidance. ↗
- Johnson, Sue M. Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Individuals, Couples, and Families. ↗
- Siegel, Dan J., Hartzell, Mary. Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive. ↗
- Chen LMFT, Annie. The Attachment Theory Workbook: Powerful Tools to Promote Understanding, Increase Stability, and Build Lasting Relationships. ↗
- Gottman, PhD, John, Declaire, Joan, Goleman, Daniel. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting ↗
- Levine, A. & Heller, R. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment, and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love. ↗
- Flores, P. Addiction As An Attachment Disorder. Plymouth, UK: Jason Aronson, The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2012. ↗
- Brown, Sandra. How to Spot a Dangerous Man Before You Get Involved. ↗
Couples & marriage
- Gottman PhD, John, Silver, Nan. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert. ↗
- Gottman, John. What Makes Love Last? ↗
- Gottman, John. The Science of Trust. ↗
- Gottman, John. The Man’s Guide to Women. ↗
- Johnson, Sue M., Whiffen, Valerie E. Attachment Processes in Couple and Family Therapy. The Guilford Press. ↗
- Johnson, Sue. Hold Me Tight: 7 Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. ↗
- Johnson, Sue. Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships. ↗
- Markman, H., Stanley, S., & Blumberg, S. Fighting For Your Marriage ↗
Sex addiction & recovery
- Carnes, Patrick. Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sex Addiction. ↗
- Carnes, Patrick. Facing the Shadow: Starting Sexual and Relationship Recovery. (workbook) ↗
- Carnes, Stefanie, PhD. Mending a Shattered Heart.
- Carnes, Stefanie, Lee, Mari A., & Rodriguez, A. Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts. (workbook)
- Carnes, Patrick J, Adams, Kenneth M. Clinical Management of Sex Addiction.
- Katehakis, Alexandra. Sex Addiction as Affect Dysregulation: A Neurobiologically Informed Holistic Treatment. Norton. ↗
- Katehakis, Alexandra, Bliss, Tom, Alisa, Ellison, et al. Mirror of Intimacy: Daily While in Recovery from Sex Addiction.Reflections on Emotional and Erotic Intelligence. ↗
- Lobert, Annie. Fallen: Out of the Sex Industry & Into the Arms of the Savior.
- Katehakis, Alexandra. Erotic Intelligence: Igniting Hot, Healthy Sex While In Recovery from Sex Addiction. ↗
- Levy, Ariel. Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture. Free Press. ↗
- Dines, Gail. Pornland: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality. Beacon Press. ↗
- McDaniel, Kelly. Ready To Heal: Breaking Free of Addictive Relationships. ↗
- Weiss, Robert. Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men. ↗
- Feree, Marnie C., Laaser, Mark. No Stones: Women Redeemed from Sexual Addiction. ↗
- Adams, Kenneth, PhD. Silently Seduced: When Parents Make Their Children Partners. ↗
- Sprout, Staci. Naked in Public: A Memoir of Recovery From Sex Addiction and Other Temporary Insanities.
- Hitz, Shelley, Hall, Deb. Broken Crayons Still Color.
- Anonymous. Answers In The Heart: Daily Meditations for Men and Women Recovering from Sex Addiction. Hazelden.
- Kasl, Chalotte. Women, Sex, and Addiction: A Search for Love and Power.
- Ferree, Marnie C. Making Advances: A Comprehensive Guide for Treating Female Sex and Love Addicts.
- Anonymous. Voices of Recovery. SAA.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book, 4th edition
- Anonymous. The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. AA
- Anonymous. Sex Addicts Anonymous: 3rd Edition
- Sexual Anorexia: Overcoming Sexual Self-Hatred. P. Carnes. Hazelden, MN, 1997.
Spirituality
- Nouwen, Henri. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Doubleday.
- Bolz-Weber, Nadia. Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint.
- Bolz-Weber, Nadia. Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People.
- Bolz-Weber, Nadia. Shameless: A Sexual Reformation.
- Bauman, Andrew. Stumbling Towards Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us.
- Higgs, Liz Curtis. Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them.
- Ortberg, John. If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.
- Comer, John Mark, Ortberg, John. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World.
- Goff, Bob. Live in Grace, Walk in Love: a 365 Day Journey. Harper Collins.
- Arterburn, Stephen, Stoop, David. Tyndale NLT Life Recovery Bible: 2nd Edition - Addiction Bible Tied to 12 Steps of Recovery for Help with Alcohol, Drugs, Personal Struggles. Tyndale House Publishers.
- Landlaw, Jonathan, Bodian, Stephan. Buddhism for Dummies.
- Browne, Sylvia. The Two Marys: The Hidden History of the Mother and Wife of Jesus.
- Alcantara, Mrgarita. Chakra Healing: A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Healing Techniques that Balance the Chakras.
- Schwartz, Robert. Your Soul’s Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born.
- Reilly, Patricia Lynn. A God Who Looks Like Me. Ballentine Books
- Grossman, Pam. Waking The Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power.
- Teish, Luisah. Jump Up: Good Times Throughout the Seasons with Celebrations from Around the World.
- DuBose, Heyward. The Half-Pint Flask.
- Pinckney, Roger. Blue Roots: African-American Folk Magic of the Gullah People.
Hypnotherapy
- Nongard, Richard. Magic Words in Hypnosis: The Sourcebook of Hypnosis Patter and Scripts and How to Overcome Hypnotic Difficulties.
- Nongard, Richard. Richard Nongard’s Big Book of Hypnosis Scripts: How to Create Lasting Change Using Contextual Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Meditation, and Hypnotic Phenomena.
- Hammond, PhD, D. Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors.
- Hand, Karen, Marion, Jess. Magic Words and Language Patterns: The Hypnotists Essential Guide to Crafting Irresistible Suggestions.
- O’Hanlon, William Hudson, Hexum, Angels. An Uncommon Casebook: The Complete Clinical Work of Milton H. Erickson, MD.
- Sommer, Carol. Conversational Hypnosis: A Manual of Indirect Suggestions.
Nutrition, herbalism & natural healing
- Fung, Jason, MD. The Obesity Code: Undoing the Secrets of Weight Loss. ↗
- Weed, Susan S. Healing Wise, Wise Woman Herbal. Ash Tree Publishing.
- Swift, Katja, Midura, Ryn. Herbal Medicine for Beginners: Your Guide to Healing Common Ailments with 35 Medicinal Herbs.
- Sams, Tina. Herbal Medicine for Emotional Healing: 101 Natural Remedies for Anxiety, Depression, Sleep, and More. Rockridge Press.
- Morton, Julia Frances, Bangor-Brewer. Folk Remedies of the Low Country.
- Newcomb, Lawrence, Morrison, Gordon. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, An Ingenious New Key System for Quick, Positive Field Identification of Wildflowers, Flowering Shrubs and Vines. Little, Brown, and Co.
- Porcher Jr, Richard Dwight. A Guide to Wildflowers in SC. USC Press.
- Cole, Will. Ketotarian: The Mostly Plant-Based Plan to Burn Fat, Boost Your Energy, Crush Your Cravings, and Calm Inflammation. Avery Press. ↗
- Davis, Claude. The Lost Book of Remedies
- Teish, Luisah. Jambalaya: The Natural Woman’s Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals
- Rouzier, MD, Neal. Natural Hormone Replacement for Men and Women - How to Achieve Healthy Aging, 2nd Ed.
Psychology & personal growth
- Montgomery, Sy. The Soul of an Octopus. ↗
- De Botton, Alain. On Love: A Novel.
- Schiraldi, Glenn R., Kerr, Melissa. The Anger Management Sourcebook.
- Branson, Richard. Screw It, Let’s Do It: Lessons In Life.
- You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy? The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults With ADD by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo- A wonderful book for late teens and adults about ADD and how it affects what you do and what to do about it.
- Mind Over Mood by Dennis Greenberger, Ph.D., and Christine A. Padesky, Ph.D.
- My Anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic by Michael Thompkins, Ph.D. & Katherine Martinez, PsyD. - This is a great book for teens - and adults - that explains and gives usable tools for reducing and managing anxiety and panic.
More reading
- Come as You Are
- The Dance of Anger