Bookshelf

A curated reading list from Felipe Alexandre, a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist in Jersey City, NJ. These are books recommended to clients, colleagues, and curious readers, covering anxiety, OCD, relationships, parenting, mindfulness, philosophical living, and clinical training for therapists.

Managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts

• "Pure O" OCD by Chad LeJeune — For those troubled by obsessive thoughts who want to lessen their hold and unlock richer life experiences. Not ideal for readers who prefer aggressive thought-elimination over acceptance-based approaches.
• The Worry Trap by Chad LeJeune — Useful for understanding how avoidance and control strategies often make worry worse. Not suited for individuals too overwhelmed by anxiety to engage with literature about it.
• Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven C. Hayes — An introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for those who feel cognitive restructuring hasn't worked. Not for readers who prefer thought-elimination over acceptance.

Self-directed change and mindset

• Reframe Your Brain by Scott Adams — Practical and unconventional, good for readers who enjoy perspective-shifting. Not for those happy with their current mental scripts.
• How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable about Anything by Albert Ellis — A direct introduction to REBT for readers open to personal responsibility as a path to emotional relief. Not for those who prefer deep theory over candid talk.
• Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki — A reflective exploration of minimalism and what we gain by letting go. Not for those seeking a step-by-step decluttering guide.
• A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine — A clear, modern take on Stoic philosophy and everyday resilience. Not for those who find ancient philosophy too detached from modern life.

Personal wisdom and philosophical living

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz — A guide to personal integrity and freeing oneself from self-limiting beliefs. Not for readers who prefer evidence-based approaches over reflective insight.
• The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga — Explores Adlerian psychology and the freedom that comes from releasing the need for others' approval. Not for readers who find Socratic dialogue frustrating.
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl — One of the most important books on resilience, suffering, and the human need for purpose. Not for those who prefer lighthearted reads.
• The Mastery of Self by Don Miguel Ruiz — On overcoming the internal voice of self-judgment and living with greater awareness. Not for readers who prefer scientific frameworks.
• The Five Levels of Attachment by Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. — Explores how beliefs and identities keep us from living freely. Not for those who prefer a scientific exploration over a philosophical one.

Mindful attention, presence, and emotional resilience

• The Way of Zen by Alan Watts — Dense and rewarding, best for readers willing to sit with ideas. Not for those looking for a light or conversational read.
• Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright — Connects Buddhist philosophy with evolutionary psychology and mindfulness research. Not for readers seeking a purely spiritual take on Buddhism.
• Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Stephen Mitchell — A classic of Eastern wisdom best read slowly. Not for readers who prefer clear, practical advice.
• The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff — An accessible, playful entry point into Taoist philosophy. Not for those wanting a scholarly dive into Taoism.

Relationships, parenting, and communication

• Screamfree Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel — For parents who want to break reactive patterns through self-regulation. Not for parents who prefer time-outs or believe firmness means loudness.
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish — A classic parenting communication guide, practical and compassionate. Not ideal for parents of teens only.
• The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz — A philosophical look at love and what gets in the way of genuine connection. Not for those seeking step-by-step relationship advice.
• Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss — An FBI negotiator's guide to communication drawing heavily on empathy and attunement. Not for those wanting a procedural negotiation manual.

Culture, society, and modern life

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — A data-driven look at how smartphones and social media have reshaped adolescent mental health. Relevant for parents, clinicians, and educators.
• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari — A sweeping history of humanity that challenges assumptions about progress and meaning. Not for those who prefer a bite-sized exploration of history.
• Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá — A provocative examination of human sexuality, monogamy, and evolutionary history. Not for readers wedded to traditional views of monogamy.

Therapy and professional growth

• Mastering the Clinical Conversation by Steven C. Hayes — On language as a therapeutic tool, useful for clinicians of any orientation. Not for those seeking a highly structured clinical manual.
• A Roadmap for Couple Therapy by Arthur C. Nielsen — An integrative framework for couples work. Not for clinicians seeking a purely emotionally driven or narrative approach.
• The Development of a Therapist by Louis Cozolino — On how therapists grow and how their histories shape clinical work. Not for those seeking technique-based instruction.
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: A Therapist's Guide by Albert Ellis and Catharine MacLaren — A foundational REBT text for clinicians who want to help clients challenge irrational beliefs. Not for therapists who find direct confrontation of beliefs too rigid.
• Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: A Practitioner's Guide by Nancy McWilliams — A humanizing guide to psychodynamic practice. Not for clinicians seeking structured protocols.
• Psychoanalytic Case Formulation by Nancy McWilliams — Teaches clinicians to understand a client's full personality structure beyond presenting symptoms. Not for those seeking templated case notes.
• The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom — Reflections on the therapeutic relationship from one of the field's most influential voices. Not for clinicians wanting a purely academic approach.
• Love's Executioner by Irvin Yalom — Case stories illuminating existential themes in therapy with honesty and compassion. Not for those uninterested in the therapist's internal experience.
• On Becoming a Therapist by Jeffrey A. Kottler — On the personal journey of the clinician throughout a career. Not for those seeking skill-based instruction.
• On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers — A foundational humanistic text essential for anyone interested in the person-centered approach. Not for those seeking a procedural framework.
• Beginnings: The Art and Science of Planning Psychotherapy by Mary Jo Peebles — A thoughtful, non-dogmatic look at the opening phase of treatment. Not for those seeking a protocol-driven intake model.
• Long-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Basic Text by Glen O. Gabbard — A clear introduction to the principles of long-term dynamic therapy. Not for experienced psychodynamic therapists looking for advanced theory.
• Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders by Aaron T. Beck — The original source on cognitive therapy. Important for anyone who uses CBT and wants to understand how Beck conceived it. Not for those seeking a modernized CBT workbook.

Felipe Alexandre is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in private practice in Jersey City, NJ, serving clients in Jersey City, Hoboken, and the surrounding Hudson County area.

Nearly all of the books on this list are available for free — in print and as audiobooks — through the Jersey City Free Public Library. For those who prefer to own their books, ThriftBooks sells gently used copies at a discount.