Clinical Psychologist Client Recommended Reading List

Scattered Minds explodes the myth of attention deficit disorder as genetically based – and offers real hope and advice for children and adults who live with the condition. Gabor Maté is a revered physician who specializes in neurology, psychiatry and psychology – and himself has ADD. With wisdom gained through years of medical practice and research, Scattered Minds is a must-read for parents – and for anyone interested how experiences in infancy shape the biology and psychology of the human brain. Scattered Minds: – Demonstrates that ADD is not an inherited illness, but a reversible impairment and developmental delay – Explains that in ADD, circuits in the brain whose job is emotional self-regulation and attention control fail to develop in infancy – and why – Shows how ‘distractibility’ is the psychological product of life experience – Allows parents to understand what makes their ADD children tick, and adults with ADD to gain.

Why do we make the decisions we do? Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman revolutionised our understanding of human behaviour with Thinking, Fast and Slow. Distilling his life’s work, Kahneman showed that there are two ways we make choices: fast, intuitive thinking, and slow, rational thinking. His book reveals how our minds are tripped up by error, bias and prejudice (even when we think we are being logical) and gives practical techniques that enable us all to improve our decision-making. This profound exploration of the marvels and limitations of the human mind has had a lasting impact on how we see ourselves. ‘The godfather of behavioural science … his steely analysis of the human mind and its many flaws remains perhaps the most useful guide to remaining sane and steady’ Sunday Times.

Focuses on how trauma impacts the body and brain and offers insights into various treatments. Recommeded reading for anyone interested in understanding and treating traumatic stress and the scope of its impact on society.

A guide to cognitive-behavioral techniques for combating depression and developing a positive outlook. Recognise what causes your mood swings, Nip negative feelings in the bud, deal with guilt, handle hostility and criticism, overcome addiction to love and approval, build self-esteem, feel good everyday.

Encourages embracing vulnerability and imperfection as a path to a wholehearted life. A decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living-a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

Provides strategies for creating lasting positive habits and breaking negative ones. Simple life hacks (the forgotten art of Habit Stacking, the unexpected power of the Two Minute Rule, or the trick to entering the Goldilocks Zone), and delves into cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience to explain why they matter. Along the way, he tells inspiring stories of Olympic gold medalists, leading CEOs, and distinguished scientists who have used the science of tiny habits to stay productive, motivated, and happy.