This review is a book on two different types of children. Dandelion and Orchid children. W. Thomas Boyce, MD presents to the reader a research-heavy book on what is the difference between orchid and dandelion children. Dr. Boyce is a pediatrician who has done extensive research into what makes a child resilient and what makes a child less likely to thrive. He researched the impact of developmental trauma and stress on children.

This review is for my fellow mental health providers and other providers in the human services and medical field. The book I am reflecting on is Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk. I was personally hooked on this book after reading the first page of the introduction. It resonated with me to the core. This book is broken up into four parts, understanding trauma stewardship, mapping your response to trauma exposure, creating change from the inside out, and finding your way to trauma stewardship. Essentially, this book describes secondary trauma, how to build resiliency from the effects, and what to do when one does experience secondary trauma symptoms. 

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is an area that I am passionate about in the mental health world and increasingly so. A book that spoke about this subject in a more personal way, is Stephanie Foo in her memoir titled, What My Bones Know. Stephanie happened to be at Northern Michigan University recently speaking on her book, which I am so bummed that I was unable to attend.

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion is one of those books that I would read slowly and take the time to absorb the information and practice what is being shared. Part one of the book is discovering what self-compassion is and how and what mindfulness is. Dr. Gremer defines self-compassion as “a form of acceptance…it’s acceptance of ourselves when we’re in pain.” Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment. To be mindful is to wake up, to recognize what is happening in the present moment. The book is scattered with exercises that start as five minutes in length.

This review is on a simple tool book for those who have ADHD. ADHD is a common mental health condition that impacts both children and adults. The Mini ADHD Coach: Tools and Support to Make Life Easier, is a mixture of a book and a visual guide by Alice Gendron. Alice is an author who has lived experience with ADHD and is passionate about sharing tips on how to manage those symptoms to improve overall quality of life.

Close your eyes and think about the hardest winter days. Do you think of warmth and coziness or do you think of depression, cold, isolation, and gray? People’s mental health slips during the winter months, in particular the places that have harsh and long winters. like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One of the antidotes to this depressive feeling is Hygge. Hygge is defined as a cozy and content mood evoked by comfort and conviviality, originating from the Scandinavian countries. American Cozy: Hygge inspired ways to create comfort and happiness by Stephanie Pederson is a charming read about how to incorporate Hygge into the busy and fast-paced society in America. As I read this book, I noticed that a lot of these concepts and simple lifestyle changes are what many mental health therapists would discuss with their clients.

This review is about the human experience and the importance of connection and vulnerability in experiencing emotions. The book that I am referencing is Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown, PhD, MSW. I was more than happy when I saw several of my new co-workers have this book readily in view in their offices. Just another nod to me making the right choice of joining Caught Dreamin’ Therapy. Atlas of the Heart is not like any other “self-help” book that I have ever read. It is beautiful, both the cover and the inside of this book. I can even see this book being a coffee table book for some.

This week's review is on one of my favorite books that I have read in the past six months. The title of this book is Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A guide to reclaiming yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab. Nedra is a licensed clinical social worker who earned her undergraduate and graduate degree at Wayne State University. Based on her bio, she is a sought after relationship therapist that believes that healthy boundaries are the key to a thriving relationship. Nedra also has a wonderful instagram page where she shares videos and posts on tips on how to set boundaries. I truly enjoy and appreciate her delivery on this topic. I just discovered that she also has a podcast!

Our perception acts as a lens through which we interpret the world around us. It's not merely a passive observer but an active creator, molding our reality based on our beliefs, attitudes, and experiences. Embracing the idea that we have the ability to shape our perception is the first step toward unlocking its power.