What I love about personal development books is that sometimes they hit your soul in just the right spot. It’s like suddenly you feel seen, understood, and now are armed with knowledge on how to better yourself. In shorter terms, there are some books that feel like therapy. The books in this list definitely can be grouped in that category.
A Quick Note About Therapy Before We Begin
Before we get to the books I want to make one thing clear. While the books in this list may feel like therapy, they should not replace therapy. Going to therapy is incredibly important to your mental health. Think of these books not as a substitute, but a supplement.
Whether you read one of these books and decide that you want to work on these topics with a counselor, or you maybe read the books with the help and guidance of a therapist, there are many ways to integrate what you learn through books and what you learn in therapy.
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13 Books That Feel Like Therapy
From learning to have more self-compassion to learning about boundaries, you’ll see an array of topics. Keep reading to see what your next read should be.
1) The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
Best For Learning How To Stop Self-Sabotage
In The Mountain Is You the reader learns how self-sabotaging happens, how to stop it when it does, and how to end self-sabotaging. This book got popular on TikTok and has now been translated in over 40 languages. If you want to learn how to break through the obstacles that you put in front of yourself, this book is for you.
2) Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Best For The Recovering People Pleaser
If you are tired of telling everyone yes all of the time, then Boundaries is the book for you. This book will help you learn when it’s right to say yes, and give you the tools you need to feel comfortable saying no. It’s helped over four million people do the same thing.
3) The Book of Moods by Lauren Martin
Best For Learning How To Break Free From Negative Emotions
Have you felt like negative emotions like anxiety, doubt, and sadness rule your life? If so, you aren’t alone. The Book of Moods will help you learn why you feel this way and how to turn it all around. The author combines her story with science, philosophy, and more to help you feel seen and know what to do next.
4) The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
Best For Anyone Wanting To Heal From Trauma
I’ve personally been learning about the brain and body connection in therapy. In The Body Keeps Score the author discusses this by showing readers how it can help heal trauma. If you are working through healing your trauma this would be a great book that feels like therapy to work through with a counselor.
5) Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff
Best For Learning How To Stop Negative Self Talk
In Self-Compassion Dr. Kristen Neff shares action plans and tips for you to help them learn to be kinder to yourself. Whether you struggle with weight loss, relationships, or something else, she’ll help you reframe those negative thoughts.
6) Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith
Best For Someone That Wants To Improve Their Overall Mental Health
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? is a breath of fresh air for anyone wondering things like is it normal to feel this way?, Is there something wrong with me?, and more. The author breaks down some of the most common mental health struggles and provides tools that can help you overcome what you may be going through. It’s a great introduction to mental health as well.
7) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins
Best For Learning How To Stop Caring What Others Think & Do
In this book Mel Robbins shares a tool that has helped a plethora of people stop wasting their energy on situations and people that they can’t control. The Let Them Theory is a great guide that expands on the viral poem written by Cassie Phillips. If you want more control over your thoughts and your life, this book that feels like therapy is for you.
8) It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn
Best For Anyone Wanting To Heal From Family Trauma
It Didn’t Start With You is a book that explores the connection between a person’s mental health issues and family history. It’s a great resource for anyone ready to break the cycle of generational problems with mental health. You may not be able to change your family’s history, but you can shape your family’s future.
9) How To Be Yourself by Ellen Hendriksen Ph.D
Best For Someone Dealing With Social Anxiety
How To Be Yourself will be your new best friend as it guides you through working through any social anxiety you may have. This book that feels like it oozes therapy is a great resource for learning to quiet your inner critic and become more at ease in social situations.
10) Grief Is For People by Sloane Crosley
Best For Learning To Navigate Greif
Grief Is For People is a memoir that explores the death of a friend. If you’ve lost someone recently you may find that reading about others’ grief will make you feel less alone. In this book the author shares the journey through her grief in an honest and raw way.
11) That Little Voice In Your Head by Mo Gawdat
Best For Anyone Looking To Add More Joy To Their Life
The self-talk loop you have replaying in your head can influence a lot of how you feel and act on a day to day basis. By retraining your brain to speak more kindly to yourself you’ll see a big difference in your life. That is what That Little Voice In Your Head is all about. Learn how to reprogram your thoughts so that you can start living a more joy-filled life.
12) We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle
Best For Anyone That Feels Lost On Their Journey In Life
We Can Do Hard Things is a book full of advice from big names like Sara Bareilles, Jane Fonda, Cheryl Strayed, and more. If you’ve ever felt lost and alone this book that feels like therapy will help you feel less alone. And, hopefully it will guide you forward in this journey called life. As the authors ask these 20 important questions you’ll find some hope in-between the pages.
13) Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield
Best For Learning How To Approach Your Body & Health From A More Loving/Accepting Approach
For anyone that has struggled with an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, or any other kind of unhealthy relationship with food and their body, Body Kindness will help you break through that. This book is full of inspiration, support, and exercises to help you on your path to freedom from your hang-ups.
Final Thoughts On These Amazing Books That Feel Like Therapy
While they discuss different topics, all the books on this list have one thing in common, they help readers feel less alone. I hope one, or more, of these do the same for you. Take care of yourself!
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com