Resources

Clients frequently ask me about books, podcasts, and other resources I recommend for navigating mental health and a range of life concerns. Below are a few of my favorites. I read (and listen) a lot and not always to non-fiction. In fact, I sometimes find it is works of fiction that can provide the most keen insight into the human experience. Some of the books below are relate specifically to mental health, others just got me (or my clients) thinking and feeling.

Keep in mind, something that resonates for me or someone else, may not be the best fit for you. And, of course, no resource is perfect. You may find bits and pieces of the resources below that speak to you and areas that, for whatever reason, do not. I’ve tried to label each resource with a general category, but that was surprisingly difficult, so take the labels with a grain of salt. If a title catches your attention, look it up to learn more.

Scroll down to the bottom for other service providers I recommend. All providers on my referral list have some experience with Foreign Service, Military, or other expat communities. Many provide services to individuals living and working overseas.

I periodically update the list with new resources, so check back from time to time.

Mindfulness (which also can cover all of the other categories to)

Wherever You Go There You Are, Jon Kabat-Zinn

Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn

Personal Leadership - Making a World of Difference, Schaetti, Ramsey, and Watanabe

Self-Compassion, Kristin Neff, PhD

10% Happier, Dan Harris

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha, Tara Brach, PhD

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Pema Chödrön

Comfortable with Uncertainty, Pema Chödrön

Emotions and Mental Health

ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s World, Thomas Hartmann

How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD

Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing, Jamie Holmes

The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD

Death, Sex, & Money (podcast), Anna Sale

All There Is (podcast), Anderson Cooper

Hidden Brain (podcast), Shankar Vedantam

When the Heart Waits, Sue Monk Kidd

All Fours (fiction), Miranda July

Inside Out I and Inside Out II (animated movies), Pixar, Available on Disney+

Trauma and the Nervous System, The Trauma Foundation - YouTube

Partnership and Marriage

Hold Me Tight, Dr. Sue Johnson

Mating in Captivity, Esther Perel

Where Should We Begin (podcast), Esther Perel

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Gottman and Silver

The “Before” movie trilogy, directed by Richard Linklater starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

Parenting

Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD, Eli Lebowitz, PhD

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, Pollock and Van Reken

Good Inside, Dr. Becky Kennedy

The Secrets of Happy Families, Scott Haltzman, MD

Referrals

Neuropsychological evaluations (ADHD, ASD, etc) - Megan Cheatham, PsyD Well Neuropsychology.

Comprehensive mental health care, including therapy, medication management, and evaluations - Therapy Solutions at Home and Abroad

Therapy and psychiatry, including for adolescents and children - Active & Connected Family Therapy

Medical care, including menopause related concerns and gender-affirming care - Vida Telehealth, Adrian Thompson, PA-C

Nutrition Consulting and Registered Dietitians - Be Healthy Nutrition Consulting, Ann Brubaker, RD

EMDR Therapy - Amanda Ercilla Treviño, LCSW

EMDR and Couple Therapy - Megan Barnes Zesati, LCSW (licensed in TX, NC, CT, MA, and FL)