This list is not comprehensive, and includes both books and audio and video lecture series. If you are aware of any supplemental media materials that you feel will be beneficial to others, please let Dr. Emick know!
The Great Courses offers various lecture series, typically done by experts in their fields of study. They’re pricey, whether you purchase by the series or sign up for a monthly subscription via Great Courses Plus. The Austin Public Library carries most of the lecture series and will allow nonresidents to apply for an eCard, which grants you access to their entire digital library, for $22.00 per year (as of 2023). http://library.austintexas.gov/mylibrarycard
A list of the lecture series Dr. Emick owns and can vouch for is listed at the very bottom of this page. Feel free to ask her about any that interest you.
The Smithsonian Institution offers both in-person and online classes and lectures. You do not need to be a member to purchase a ticket. Here’s a link to their latest offerings: Smithsonian Program Guide
Supplemental Reading Materials and Workbooks
Depression
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
Feel the Way You Want to Feel…No Matter What! by Aldo R. Pucci
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D.
I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
The 60 Second Shrink: 101 Strategies for Staying Sane in a Crazy World by Arnold Lazarus, PhD & Clifford Lazarus, PhD
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris
Out of the Woods: A Journey Through Depression and Anxiety by Brent Williams
Overcoming Depression One Step at a Time: The New Behavioral Activation Approach To Getting Your Life Back by Michael E. Addis, Ph.D. & Christopher Martell Ph.D., ABPP
Grief and Coping with Loss
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts by Guy Winch, Ph.D.
Feel the Way You Want to Feel…No Matter What! by Aldo R. Pucci
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D.
I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One by Brook Noel & Pamela D. Blair PhD
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One by Carla Fine
The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
The Grief Journal by Stephanie Greer
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
Where Reasons End: A Novel by Yiyun Li
Anxiety, Stress, and Burnout
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, PhD & Amelia Nagoski, DMA
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness by Melissa Dahl
Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind: How to Stop the Cycle of Anxiety, Fear, and Worry by Jennifer Shannon, LMFT
Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict by Tsultrim Allione
Feel the Way You Want to Feel…No Matter What! by Aldo R. Pucci
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D.
Find Your Calm: A Workbook to Manage Anxiety by Jaime Zuckerman, Psy.D.
Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now by Dr. Claire Weekes
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
The 60 Second Shrink: 101 Strategies for Staying Sane in a Crazy World by Arnold Lazarus, PhD & Clifford Lazarus, PhD
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris
The Worry Trap: How to Free Yourself from Worry & Anxiety Using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy by Chad LeJeune, Ph.D.
Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode-and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber, MA, LPC
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
Schizophrenias
The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays by Esmé Weijun Wang
Self-Care & Self-Compassion
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person by April Snow, LMFT
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines
Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want by Alexandra H. Solomon PhD
Negative Self-Talk & How to Change It by Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Rainbow in the Word: LGBTQ Christians’ Biblical Memoirs by Ellin Sterne Jimmerson
Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery by bell hooks
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Gifts of Imperfections: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron Ph.D.
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher K. Germer, PhD
The Self-Care Prescription Journal: Powerful Prompts to Manage Emotions, Cultivate Well-Being, and Achieve Your Goals by Robyn L. Gobin, PhD
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
Unclobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT community by Kathy Baldock
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
Mindfulness & Self-Reflection
Most books by Thích Nhất Hạnh. However, I do recommend the audio books over the written ones. Since English is his second language, the books that directly quote him can be a bit difficult to read. His voice is also quietly commanding. A word of caution, when you choose a book, be careful that it does not have multiple authors or say “Thích Nhất Hạnh with so and so” or “edited by.” Those were done in his advancing years and really don’t capture his presence or his teachings.
Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself by Mark Epstein, M.D.
All These Rivers and You Choose Love by Jaiya John
Beginning Mindfulness: Learning the Way of Awareness by Andrew Weiss
Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do by Jennifer Eberhardt, PhD
Empowered Boundaries: Speaking Truth, Setting Boundaries, and Inspiring Social Change by Cristien Storm
Find Your Peace: A Workbook for a More Mindful Life by Kiki Ely
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Steve C. Hayes, Ph.D. & Spencer Smith
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines
Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson, Ph.D.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
My Inner Sky: On Embracing Day, Night, and All the Times in Between by Mari Andrew
No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism by Chris Niebauer, Ph.D.
One Question a Day for Self-Care: A Three-Year Journal by Aimee Chase (a five-year version is available as well)
Rainbow in the Word: LGBTQ Christians’ Biblical Memoirs by Ellin Sterne Jimmerson
Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way by Rick Carson
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu & Douglas Abrams
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould
The Socrates Express: Searching for Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers by Eric Weiner
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam M. Grant
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
Unclobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT community by Kathy Baldock
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
Creating and Navigating Interpersonal and Romantic Relationships
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love by Amir Levine. M.D. & Rachel S. F. Heller, M.A.
Being and Loving: How to Achieve Intimacy with Another Person and Retain One’s Own Identity by Althea J. Horner
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Empowered Boundaries: Speaking Truth, Setting Boundaries, and Inspiring Social Change by Cristien Storm
Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives by Pia Mellody
Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse by Shannon Thomas, LCSW
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sue Johnson
Love Cycles: The Five Essential Stages of Lasting Love by Linda Carroll
Love Skills: The Keys to Unlocking Lasting, Wholehearted Love by Linda Carroll
Love is a Choice: The Definitive Book on Letting Go of Unhealthy Relationships by Dr. Robert Hemfelt, Dr. Frank Minirth, & Dr. Paul Meier
Love’s Not Color Blind: Race and Representation in Polyamorous and Other Alternative Communities by Kevin Patterson
Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb, PhD
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
The 60 Second Shrink: 101 Strategies for Staying Sane in a Crazy World by Arnold Lazarus, PhD & Clifford Lazarus, PhD
The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond by Patricia Evans
Your Brain on Love: the Neurobiology of Healthy Relationships by Stan Tatkin PsyD, MFT (audio only)
For Survivors of Childhood Trauma and/or Abuse
A Child Called “It”: One Child’s Courage to Survive, The Lost Boy, & A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives by Pia Mellody
Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse by Shannon Thomas, LCSW
It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, SEP
Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb, PhD
Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano & Marietta Collins
The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
The Child in You: The Breakthrough Method for Bringing Out Your Authentic Self by Stefanie Stahl
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller
The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould
The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame by Pete Walker
Toxic Childhood Stress by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
What Happened to You? by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. & Oprah Winfrey
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner
For Survivors of Adult Trauma and/or Abuse
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives by Pia Mellody, Andrea Wells Miller and J. Keith Miller
Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse by Shannon Thomas, LCSW
Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, SEP
Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano & Marietta Collins
The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
What Happened to You? by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. & Oprah Winfrey
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner
The Mind-Body Connection
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, SEP
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation by Stephen W. Porges
The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation by Deb Dana
Creating Effective Life Strategies
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success by Amy Morin
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
Empowered Boundaries: Speaking Truth, Setting Boundaries, and Inspiring Social Change by Cristien Storm
Find Good Habits: A Workbook for Daily Growth by Jaime Zuckerman, Psy.D.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD By Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
The 60 Second Shrink: 101 Strategies for Staying Sane in a Crazy World by Arnold Lazarus, PhD & Clifford Lazarus, PhD
The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success: How to Use Your Brain’s Executive Skills to Keep Up, Stay Calm, and Get Organized at Work and at Home by Peg Dawson EdD, Richard Guare PhD
LGBTQ+
Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Continuum by Chella Man
Convenience Store Woman: A Novel by Sayaka Murata
decolonizing trans/gender 101 by b. binaohan
Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse & Julia Sadusky
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines
Love’s Not Color Blind: Race and Representation in Polyamorous and Other Alternative Communities by Kevin Patterson
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Rainbow in the Word: LGBTQ Christians’ Biblical Memoirs by Ellin Sterne Jimmerson
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love, and So Much More by Janet Mock
She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan
Stuck in the Middle with You: A Memoir of Parenting in Three Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan
The New Queer Conscience by Adam Eli
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals by Stephanie A. Brill and Rachel Pepper
This Is How It Always Is: A Novel by Laurie Frankel
Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue by Nicholas Teich
Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens by Stephanie Brill
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Unclobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT community by Kathy Baldock
Addiction Recovery
Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D. & Cory F. Newman, Ph.D.
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Maté, MD
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life by Catherine Gray
Parenting
Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be Dr. Becky Kennedy
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.
Toxic Childhood Stress by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
For Those Who Like a Good Mystery and Want to Mess with Their Future Healthcare Providers (as in, NOT Dr. Emick!)
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Great Courses Lecture Series That Dr. Emick Owns
Physical Health
- How to Stay Fit as You Age
- Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong
- Mastering Tai Chi
- The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief
- The Science of Integrative Medicine
- Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body
- Understanding and Applying Self-Defense Strategies
- Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong
Cognitive Health
- Boosting Your Emotional Intelligence
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Techniques for Retraining Your Brain
- Effective Communication Skills
- Optimizing Brain Fitness
- Outsmart Yourself: Brain-Based Strategies to a Better You
- Scientific Secrets for a Powerful Memory
Mindfulness
- Masters of Mindfulness: Transforming Your Mind and Body
- Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation
- The Science of Mindfulness: A Research-Based Path to Well-Being
Human Nature
- Understanding the Brain
- Understanding the Dark Side of Human Nature
- Why You Are Who You Are: Investigations into Human Personality
Philosophy and Religion
- Moral Decision Making: How to Approach Everyday Ethics (audio only)
- Questions of Value (audio only)
- Great World Religions: Christianity
- Great World Religions: Judaism
- Great World Religions: Buddhism
- Great World Religions: Islam
- Great World Religions: Hinduism
- Mystical Traditions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
- Lost Christianities: Christian Scriptures and the Battles over Authentication
- The Apocryphal Jesus
- The Dead Sea Scrolls
- The Fall of the Pagans and the Origins of Medieval Christianity
- The Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity
- Gnosticism: From Nag Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas
- Death, Dying, and the Afterlife: Lessons from World Cultures
- Exploring the Mayan World
- The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe
- The Cathedral
Culinary
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: Baking Pastries and Desserts
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: Essential Secrets of Spices in Cooking
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: How to Master Outdoor Cooking
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: Making Great Meals in Less Time
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: Making Healthy Food Taste Great
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: Rediscovering the Lost Art of Cooking
- The Culinary Institute of America’s: The Joy of Mediterranean Cooking