4 Self-Help Audiobooks We Love

It's Audiobook Appreciation Month! Whether you’re booking that first session, you’ve been exploring your interior landscape for a while, or you’re thinking about going back into therapy to refresh your “dealing with difficult people” toolkit, audiobooks are a great way to get some perspective about how common and relatable our mental health challenges really are.

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Here are some of Lifeologie's favorite audiobooks to get you started! Listen while you’re alone and you can laugh out loud, sob into a whole box of tissues, or just say hey, that sounds exactly like me!

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD  (Narrated by Sean Pratt)

If you’ve ever wondered how trauma affects not just your mind but your body, this book is a must-listen. Dr. van der Kolk, a pioneer in trauma research, delves into the profound effects of trauma on the brain and body. He explains complex concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, and the narrator’s tone makes the book feel like you’re listening to a conversation about real people who have lived through some really dark times. It’s an enlightening listen that offers hope and understanding for those healing from trauma, and for those who live with loved ones suffering from trauma and post-traumatic stress.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb (Narrated by Brittany Pressley)

Lori Gottlieb, a therapist herself, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a therapist in therapy. Listening to someone reveal she is doing all the things she tells her clients not to do is an absolution for all who have done the same, and a real balm for perfectionists. This audiobook is a beautiful blend of humor, heartbreak, and hope. Gottlieb’s storytelling is engaging and relatable, and Brittany Pressley’s narration brings the characters brightly to life.

(Narrated by the author, whose warmth, passion, humor and sincerity shine through. )

Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability, shame, and courage has resonated with millions. If you haven’t seen her TED talk on The Power of Vulnerability yet, watch it right now for a life-changing few minutes. She challenges the cultural myth that vulnerability is a weakness. She thinks vulnerability takes courage, but we are often hampered by our fears of what others will think. This audiobook is a great companion for anyone working on building resilience in their therapeutic process, as well as a great intro into Brown’s work on vulnerability and shame. 

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, PhD (Narrated by Cassandra Campbell)

Radical Acceptance offers a path to self-compassion and mindfulness for people who struggle with self-criticism and shame (so, most of us at some point in our lives). Tara Brach, a clinical psychologist and Buddhist meditation teacher, combines Western psychology with Eastern spiritual practices in a clear, sequential way that lets listeners take their time learning that a lot of our problems come from us trying to control things that aren’t ours to manage. Cassandra Campbell’s soothing narration makes this audiobook a calming experience, complementing the tone of Brach’s work. To sample Tara Brach’s work, check out her powerful RAIN meditations (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) for self-compassion. You can preview her recent guided meditations at https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/. 

How To Listen

You can purchase an audiobook on a computer, phone, tablet, or iPad. Unlike a Nook or Kindle, you don’t need extra equipment (although you can often choose the Audible narration feature on an Amazon Kindle for e-books). You can download audiobooks directly to your mobile device and listen in your car, on headphones, or through a Bluetooth speaker. 

Two of the most popular services to buy audiobooks are Audible, available through Amazon or your device’s App Store, and Apple Books for iPhone and Macs. A great way to support your local bookstore is through libro.fm, an audiobook retailer that shares profits with indie bookstores across the USA. These outlets often have promos where you can try a book or a month of service for free to decide if it’s right for you. 

You can borrow an audiobook through your local library. Forget books on tape or bulky CDs. The Libby app from Overdrive connects with most major libraries to provide ebooks and audiobooks to their patrons. Keep up with your loans, holds and wish lists without having to get to the library during their regular hours! (If your library doesn’t have an Overdrive option, look for Hoopla or cloudLibrary). 

Next Steps

If you’re working through some of the issues covered in these audiobooks, consider reaching out to find a Lifeologie therapist who specializes in your area of need, from EMDR for processing trauma to mindfulness techniques that can alleviate anxiety and help you develop compassion for yourself and others.