Therapy Based Gifts for the Holidays
Every year during the holidays I get inundated with emails about the most popular gifts this year or so-and-so’s must have’s for the holiday season, but I’ve never seen a list that is geared toward therapy and self-growth. So here goes, my first annual holiday gift list.
Books
I read a lot of therapy based and self-help books throughout the year as a way to stay current and in order to make educated recommendations to my clients. This year a couple books stood out as incredibly impactful.
The Love Prescription: Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy by John and Julie Gottman
This is a bite-size read packed full of practical and accessible tips for you and your loved one. It is highly recommended for couples, but so chock full of important tips that everyone can benefit from this read. The Gottman’s are epic in the field of psychology, specifically for their work with couples. Their tips and philosophies are empirically researched and proven to help reduce conflict even in the stickiest relationships. https://a.co/asREo7w
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce D. Perry
What a timely book! Oprah and Dr. Perry have a beautiful conversation about understanding the impact of trauma in the body and mind, how to create a different frame to comprehend trauma, and offer multiple anecdotes deepening the lessons of this book. As the world comes out of a traumatizing, isolating, and unprecedented time this book helps us to ask questions and create perspectives that can begin the healing process for many different situations. The audio book is particularly enjoyable because you are witness to a great conversation between friends. https://a.co/5zA9qQf
Mirror Work: 21 Days to Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
This is an oldie, but such a goodie! Louise Hay was one of the original self-help authors and a key player in establishing the importance of positive affirmations. Mirror work is a founding principle of her teachings and can offer truly transformative insights. This book takes you on a 21-day journey to increased self-love. It is not for the faint of heart as this work can be challenging, but it can also change your life. I recommend this book to anyone genuinely wanting change in their life. https://a.co/d/dCsoKdf
Other Gift Ideas
I have really been enjoying asking friends and family big open ended questions. It is a great way to have a different type of conversation and often goes beyond the small talk. Here are a couple of card decks that can help you have deeper conversations with your loved ones.
Unpack That: Therapy in a Box
The categories in this deck of cards are good, bad, reflection, tough questions and wild cards. Each card prompts a question or an activity. This can be played with your partner or a group of friends or family. All of the questions encourage vulnerability. https://a.co/d/5n47oqn
Vertellis
Vertellis means “tell us more” in Dutch. It is a card game that offers questions to deepen reflection on the past year and inspire discussion of the year to come. It is a terrific game to play as the year comes to a close and it can be repeated every year. The Vertellis brand offers different editions such as the family or relationship edition, as well as a set of coasters that can be left out on the table to generate conversation. https://a.co/d/eunnR0q
May your holidays be filled with growth and vulnerability!