PTSD Living With The 11 Best Books for PTSD of 2023, According to an Expert Get the help you need from authors you can trust By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist and has worked in the field of psychology for over 15 years, with seven years in the private practice setting. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 06, 2023 Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Mind Close Trauma refers to an emotional wound. Because emotional wounds are not visible like physical wounds, the healing process can be complicated and confusing at times. Trauma can create painful symptoms and emotions, such as nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or physical pain such as headaches. Depending on the type and severity of trauma symptoms experienced, a person may benefit from multiple recovery techniques. Books can be a very helpful tool on the road to recovery. They give us stories to relate to, and a format in which to document and record our experiences and insights to help promote more in-depth discussions during therapy sessions. Here are the best books for PTSD, according to a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Transformed by Trauma by Richard G. Tedeschi & Bret A. Moore Pros Science-backed techniques Well researched Informative and hopeful Cons Long length at 292 pages Not individualized No specific exercises given It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that trauma will make a person weaker and damaged for life. Authors Dr. Tedeschi and Dr. Moore have devoted their lives and careers to teaching people how to turn their pain into purpose and growth. They combine stories and positive psychology concepts to increase hope and positive coping skills. Price at time of publication: $16 for paperback Expert Advice “When looking for the best resources related to PTSD recovery, it is imperative that you do some homework to ensure that the material has empirical research, utilizes evidence-based techniques, and supports the mind and body connection. Therefore, optimal resources used to navigate resolving the effects of trauma incorporate nervous system regulation in order to seek and establish safety and connection in the mind and body.”—Angela Walker, LMHC, MCAP, ICADC, ACS, Trauma Therapist at Sozo Wellness Struggle Well by Ken Falke and Josh Goldberg Pros Tailored to veterans Helpful for family members of veterans Science-backed techniques Cons Population-specific Single type of trauma addressed Does not replace therapy Struggle Well focuses on teaching combat veterans specifically how to achieve post-traumatic growth instead of post-traumatic stress following war and military experiences. This book specifically targets the unique traumas and experiences of military veterans. Price at time of publication: $16 for paperback Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa Terkuerst Pros Important topic addressed Easy-to-read format Spiritually based Cons Some may not benefit from religious focus Topic specific Not individualized For those who benefit from a religious perspective, Lysa Terkuerst uses her theological training to discuss different aspects of forgiveness when the person who caused the pain is not sorry or willing to acknowledge the wrongdoing. Lysa teaches readers how to heal and move on with life despite a wrongdoer's lack of remorse or acknowledgment. Price at time of publication: $27 The 10 Best Mental Health Books to Read This Year The Complex PTSD Workbook by Dr. Arielle Schwartz Pros Effective techniques Expertly-written and educational In-depth healing activities offered Cons May be overwhelming for beginners Best used with therapy Workbook style requires time and focus Dr. Arielle Schwartz expertly pairs education, activities, and therapy techniques to create an in-depth and thorough workbook. Complex trauma can involve a complicated recovery process, and this book helps make sense of all the layers and possible confusion. Price at time of publication: $16 The Best Meditation Books and How to Use Them The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook by Dr. Arielle Schwartz Pros Effective techniques Holistic lifestyle approach Easy-to-read format Cons Does not address specific traumas Does not replace benefits of therapy Not a workbook A guidebook is very different from a workbook in the fact that following a guidebook does not involve all the prompted writing that a workbook requires. This guidebook takes a holistic approach by incorporating yoga and mindfulness, somatic psychology, and EMDR therapy techniques. Price at time of publication: $25 Whole Again by Jackson Mackenzie Pros Topic affects many Informative Well-written Cons Long length at 304 pages Not individualized Abusive relationships can create some of the most confusing trauma and, therefore, complex healing journeys. Bestselling author Jackson Mackenzie discusses different types of personality disorder traits that can lead to toxic relationships and how to heal from them. Price at time of publication: $17 for paperback Behavioral Activation for PTSD by Lisa Campbell Pros Science-backed techniques Good for beginners Informative and motivating Cons Gender-specific Specific trauma type addressed Works best with therapy Written as almost a beginner’s guide to PTSD recovery, Behavioral Action for PTSD pairs education with actionable steps to begin the healing process. Written specifically for men, this workbook is a great option for those who are struggling with the idea of going to therapy. Price at time of publication: $20 The Beauty of a Darker Soul by Joshua Mantz Pros Very inspirational Helpful for war veterans Well written, entertaining read Cons Not a replacement for therapy Not individualized Single story, not evidence-based Not all traumas involve near-death experiences, but some most certainly do. Shot by a sniper in Baghdad, author Joshua Mantz was dead for 15 minutes before being brought back to life. Written as an inspirational narrative, this book is meant to help find purpose in the pain and implores readers to never lose sight of hope. Price at time of publication: $15 for paperback The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger The Choice Embrace the Possible PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Pros Deeply moving story Inspirational and hopeful Very well written Cons Some scenes may be triggering Long length at 320 pages Doesn't include science-backed healing techniques Sometimes we begin healing when we can identify with another person’s story. Endorsed by Oprah, The Choice follows a young Jewish prisoner through her experience and near death in a concentration camp, the experience of PTSD symptoms and flashbacks that followed, and how she freed herself from the prison of her own mind. Price at time of publication: $18 The Attachment Theory Workbook by Annie Chen, LMFT Pros Effective techniques Topic useful for many Educational and individualized format Cons Trauma not addressed directly Best used with therapy Workbook style requires writing In psychology, attachment theories explore the way we either attach or struggle to attach to others. While supportive people can be a foundationally healing aspect to trauma recovery, the trauma can keep us from being able to healthily attach to others, heightening the pain. Marriage and family therapist Annie Chen explores these attachment issues. Price at time of publication: $16 The Addiction Recovery Workbook by Paula A. Freedman Pros Individualized workbook Effective techniques Cons Does not replace therapy or sober support Requires time and focus to complete Audience-specific Addiction to substances or other self-destructive behaviors is often fueled by past trauma. Achieving and maintaining sobriety is the first step to giving ourselves the space and sound-mindedness needed to address and properly treat any underlying traumas. Price at time of publication: $23 Final Verdict Transformed by Trauma is a good place to start as it uses science-backed Positive Psychology techniques. The Complex PTSD Workbook is a very helpful option for those who need more in-depth concepts, education, and writing exercises. Both can be used in conjunction with talk therapy. What to Look for in a Book for PTSD Evidenced-based techniques It’s important to find a self-help book that relies on science and evidence-based techniques to ensure the most success possible from following a book’s guidance. The more progress a person feels like they are making, the more likely they are to continue moving forward in their journey of healing. Targets specific needs There are different ways that people can experience trauma, and a book that speaks to your specific experience is the most helpful. Trauma caused by violence or war is very different from childhood trauma. Fits your current lifestyle Trauma recovery requires time, energy, and focus. However, in real life, things can get very busy. Do what you can. If you only have 15 minutes a day to read, that’s better than nothing. If you have more time and space to focus on your recovery specifically, choose more in-depth resources. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best therapy for PTSD? While the "best" therapeutic method for treating PTSD depends on the individual, certain types of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy are most common. In CBT, patients focus on shifting the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that disrupt their daily lives. Research has shown that exposure therapy in CBT helped between 61-82% of patients in eliminating their PTSD.Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the unconscious aspects of PTSD and how past traumatic events contribute to current behavior. This type of therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Still, other interventions can help treat PTSD, such as cognitive processing therapy, group therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Does PTSD ever go away? There's no cure for PTSD, but it's very treatable. To overcome or lessen the intensity of present symptoms of PTSD, most people must confront, process, and integrate the traumatic experiences of their past. To do this, psychotherapy and/or medication are highly recommended. Keep in mind that it can take time and resources to find the treatment that's right for you, but getting help is the first step toward healing. Is reading good for PTSD? Countless mental health professionals and patients alike point to books as an important part of the healing process for PTSD. A book dedicated to this condition can help you better understand your own experience, relate to the experiences of others, and develop strategies to cope.However, reading isn't easy for everyone living with PTSD. In fact, the level of concentration, retention, and analysis required can make it quite difficult for some. In this case, listening to an audiobook or tackling shorter articles can help you accomplish the same goals without adding further stress to your healing journey. Why Trust Verywell Mind As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience working with clients who struggle with mental health issues, Mary K. Tatum understands the importance of finding quality resources and techniques that work for each person. Not everyone will have the same kind of healing journey, therefore having lots of options to choose from is vitally important in creating an emotionally healthy lifestyle. 5 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Psychological Association. Trauma. American Psychological Association. PTSD treatments. Watkins LE, Sprang KR, Rothbaum BO. Treating PTSD: A Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Interventions. Front Behav Neurosci. 2018 Nov 2;12:258. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258 Paintain E, Cassidy S. First-line therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review of cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic approaches. Couns Psychother Res. 2018 Sep;18(3):237-250. doi:10.1002/capr.12174 Qureshi SU, Long ME, Bradshaw MR, et al. Does PTSD impair cognition beyond the effect of trauma?. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2011;23(1):16–28. doi:10.1176/jnp.23.1.jnp16 By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist with 15 years of experience working in the psychology field. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Bluefield College and a Master of Science in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She began in social work and then moved to drug rehab settings, working as a therapist, group facilitator, and clinical director. She specializes in family dynamic systems, trauma recovery, improving resilience, addiction recovery, and the psychology of successful business management. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit