Recommended Readings
Books on Grief, Loss & Bereavement
The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss by Mary-Frances O'Connor
If you’ve wondered why grief feels so disorienting, or why you still expect a loved one to walk through the door, this book explains what’s happening in the brain after a loss. O’Connor frames grief as a form of learning, which can make the experience feel less confusing and more human. I often recommend it to clients who want to understand their grief, not just get through it.
The Grieving Body: How The Stress of Loss Can Be An Opportunity For Healing by Mary-Frances O'Connor
Grief affects more than our emotions. It can show up as exhaustion, sleep changes, getting sick more often, or feeling physically unwell. This follow-up to The Grieving Brain explores how loss and stress affect the body and how we can care for ourselves while grieving. It’s a compassionate, science-based read for anyone coping with loss, as well as the people supporting them
Books on Trauma & Healing
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
In this memoir, journalist Stephanie Foo shares her experience of being diagnosed with complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and her journey toward healing from childhood trauma. She blends her personal story with research on complex trauma and her experiences with different therapy approaches. Clients often find it validating to see their own experiences reflected, and hopeful to see that healing is possible, even when it isn’t a straight line.