A collection of books reflecting my current therapeutic interests. Not meant to be comprehensive or complete.
Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt, 2006.
Children’s book with excellent adult appeal. The story about how a squirrel inadvertently faces his fears, with positive results.
The Assertiveness Workbook by Randy Patterson, 2000.
Practical workbook for understanding and improving assertiveness.
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison,1995.
A personal account of bipolar disorder.
The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships by Michael P. Nichols, 1995.
Also includes chapters on childbearing loss and raising children with disabilities.
When Baby Brings the Blues: Solutions For Postpartum Depression by Ariel Dalfen, 2009.
Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields, 2005.
“Between Depression and a Hard Place” by Anna Blackman Moore (2009).
www.brainchildmag.com/essays/winter2009_moore.asp
This article chronicles the author’s agonizing decision about whether or not to treat her depression with antidepressants during her preganancy. Cites U.S. data.
The Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children and Struggling With Depression by Tracy Thompson, 2006.
The author interweaves her personal experiences, the voices of the women she interviewed and recent research to paint a portrait of maternal depression.
Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Shoshanna Bennett and Pec Indman, 2003. Updated version published June, 2006.
Clear, concise information about perinatal mood changes and anxiety. Intended for laypeople and professionals.
A Deeper Shade Of Blue: A Woman’s Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Her Childbearing Years by Ruta Nonacs, 2006.
This book is jam-packed with information on perinatal depression. While informative, it may be overwhelming to read if depressed as concentration is often impaired.
Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression by Marie Osmond, 2001.
An early celebrity account of the experience of postpartum depression. Marie’s story will especially appeal to those seeking alternative treatments for PPD.
The Smiling Mask: Truths About Postpartum Depression and Parenthood by Carla O’Reilly, Elita Patterson, Tania Bird et al, 2008.
Three Saskatchewan women tell their personal stories of postpartum depression including postpartum psychosis. The authors also have their own website, which includes postpartum resources.
Women’s Moods: What Every Woman Must Know About Hormones, The Brain and Emotional Health by Deborah Sichel and Jeanne Watson Driscoll, 1999.
Although now a decade old, this oft-quoted book covers a lot of ground by understanding women’s moods across the life cycle. The authors also introduce readers to their self-care mood management program.
It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had A Baby, A Breakdown and A Much-Needed Margerita by Heather B. Armstong, 2009.
The author of the popular blog shares her experience of first-time motherhood and subsequent postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide for Mothers (4th edition)
This gentle guidebook, published by the Pacific Postpartum Support Society, offers encouragement, support and helpful advice to mothers experiencing postpartum mood changes. Recommended.
Fit From Within: 101 Simple Secrets to Change Your Body and Your Life—Starting Today and Lasting Forever by Victoria Moran, 2002.
A sensible approach to eating and living healthfully. Takes the position that diets are ineffective and body acceptance is key.
Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America by Steve Almond, 2005.
Part memoir, part travelogue, about the author’s lifetime obsession with chocolate and his trip to various US chocolate destinations. Filled with humour and unabashed chocolate eating, helping to take the sting out of the guilt we often impose on ourselves for eating sweets.
Parenting stories, not parenting techniques. Literary essays on a wide range of parenting issues.
Blindsided by a Diaper Dana Bedford Hilmer (Ed.), 2007.
Tales of first-time parenthood.
The Mother Zone by Marni Jackson, 2002.
Personal account of first-time motherhood. Author asks the question, “why didn’t anybody tell me it would be like this?”
Mothers Who Think: Tales of Realife Parenthood by Camille Peri and Kate Moses (Eds.), 2000.
Anthology of stories about motherhood. Pieces range from tender to provocative.
Sleep is for the Weak: The best of the mommybloggers including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101, and more! By Rita Arens (Ed.) (2008).
Short essays on motherhood’s many aspects; some you will relate to, some you won’t.
Mother Shock: Loving Every (Other) Minute of It by Andrea J. Buchanan, 2003.
One woman’s account of the rigours (and joys) of first-time motherhood, told in a series of essays.
I Was A Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile, 2007.
Quotes from hundreds of mothers across the US about their experiences and perceptions of motherhood with “mom-to-mom” advice from the authors, both mothers themselves.
Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood by Cori Howard (Ed.), 2007.
Canadian anthology of tales of motherhood. Honest and riveting.
The Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children and Struggling With Depression by Tracy Thompson, 2006.
The author interweaves her personal experiences, the voices of the women she interviewed and recent research to paint a portrait of maternal depression.
Operating Instructions: A Journal Of My Child’s First Year by Anne Lamott, 1993
A humorous and unflinchingly honest description of first-time motherhood. Lamott writes with a unique level of candour, wit and vibrancy.
Mothering the New Mother: Women’s Feelings and Needs After Childbirth: A Support and Reference Guide by Sally Placksin, 2000.
The author honours the experience of new motherhood and the need for nurturance and care for the mother at a time when all attention is on baby. Combines women’s comments, resources and practical strategies in the text.
It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had A Baby, A Breakdown and A Much-Needed Margerita by Heather B. Armstong, 2009.
The author of the popular blog shares her experience of first-time motherhood and subsequent postpartum depression.
Between Parent and Child by Haim Ginott, 1965, revised in 2003 by Alice Ginott and H. Wallace Goddard.
This parenting classic and pioneering work emphasizes a humanistic approach to parenting, rooted in empathy and respect. Also offers practical tips complete with many examples.
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, 1999.
This book teaches practical, respectful parenting strategies.
Liberated Parents, Liberated Children: Your Guide to a Happier Family by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish ,1990.
The authors bring to life the work of the late child psychologist, Dr. Haim Ginott, using examples from their own family lives.
Breaking the Good Mom Myth: Every Mom’s Modern Guide to Getting Past Perfection, Regaining Sanity and Raising Great Kids by Alyson Shafer, 2006.
Not for the faint at heart, the author asks us to look at our expectations of ourselves as mothers and to take responsibility for them. She offers alternative strategies for making changes, intermingled with humourous dialogue.
Honey, I Wrecked the Kids by Alyson Shafer, 2009.
How to understand your children’s misbehaviour and elicit their cooperation.
Bestfeeding: How to Breastfeed Your Baby by Mary Renfrew, Suzanne Arms and Chloe Fisher, 2004.
Comprehensive information about breasfeeding.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League, multiple editions.
A breastfeeding classic which includes special situations such as tandem nursing and nursing children with disabilities.
Everyday Risks in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Answers to Your Questions About Morning Sickness, Medications, Herbs, Diseases, Chemical Exposures and More by Dr. Gideon Koren, 2004.
Published by the Motherisk program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman and Nan Silver, 2000.
Professor of psychology, John Gottman, shares the principles for successful marriage, culled from his years of longitudinal research on couples.
And Baby Makes Three: The Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rebuilding Romance After the Baby Arrives by John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman, 2007.
Tips from the author’s research and experience navigating from a twosome to a threesome.
