Recommended Reading - New Leaf Resources

New Leaf Resources - Hope. Help. Healing.

Recommended Reading

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
by Dr. John Gottman

“Many couples think of counseling or “self-help” books as resources for people who are struggling. While true, there are a number of resources that are designed to actually help prevent problems before they happen, rather than waiting to deal with them after they crop up. Gottman’s book is one such gem, and a book I highly recommend for couples at any stage of their relationship.” - Associate Therapist Leah Travis

Available at Amazon.com

Under the Influence
by James R. Milam & Katherine Ketcham

"I first read this work in 1977 as a monograph titled, The Emerging Comprehensive Concepts of the Disease of Alcoholism, and it was my first experience, as a recovering alcoholic, with a work that covered the disease as a disease and not a moral failing. It explains in easily understood language the physiological as well as the psychological effects of the disease on the body, mind, brain and spirit. The monograph was expanded into this book and first published in 1983. It is still relevant today and can benefit those who are new to recovery. And it will also offer hope and understanding to the families and friends who are left confused and baffled by the behavior of the active alcoholic." - Dick L., a recovering alcoholic

Available at Amazon.com

I often work with parents, and recommend these books, but I have also been known to read them to clients…

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst

“…is one of my all time favorite books for children old enough to sit through it (and even for all adults)! It's really helpful to acknowledge that sometimes we all have days when everything that could go wrong does, and can help a child to talk about the things that go wrong in their world and how they feel about it. As a counselor, I've come to firmly believe that when we talk about problems and concerns, we are then better able to cope with them--the burden is acknowledged and shared. Children do not instinctively know how to deal with feelings, so this book is a tool for helping them talk and normalizing a really bad day--and a great choice for the children you buy for at Christmas!” - Staff Therapist Linda Culver

Available at Amazon.com

Secret of the Peaceful Warrior

by Dan Millman

“…is ideal for school age children. It tells the story of a boy who encounters a school bully and learns to work through his fear, but peacefully and without resorting to violence. He makes a few helpful friends with insights along the way. It shows how one can learn problem solving and is helpful to see things a different way. (This one is actually also really good for adults too!) This book is a Benjamin Franklin Award winner.”
- Staff Therapist Linda Culver

Available at Amazon.com

Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps
Richard Rohr

In his latest book, Fr. Rohr, a contemplative Roman Catholic priest and Founding Director of the Center for Action and Contemplation, a Retreat Center located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, uses well known Scriptural texts that parallel each of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous shows that the Steps are spiritually and Biblically founded. That the daily use of this inspired program will lead to a life of recovery, wholeness and gratitude. The fact that the Steps are Biblical based should be welcomed by those church members that tend to be suspect of any influence that may be outside of their own confession. The Twelve Steps when applied through grace to an open-mind and heart heals both and restores broken people to wholeness. As a recovering person coming up on thirty five years in the Fellowship of AA I found value in this book and recommend it to all recovering people no matter how long they have been in recovery. I also recommend this to family, friends, therapists and clergy that may be in a position to support recovering people. - Dick L., a recovering alcoholic

Available at Amazon.com