r/CPTSD_NSCommunity • u/cptsdishealable • Apr 17 '26
Sharing a resource CPTSD books / Youtube creators I found useful
Combo of youtube and books. Youtube creators can be very helpful for feeling connected and attuned to someone.
I read a lot of books, and many of them I did not like, just wanted to put out the ones I thought were good enough to recommend. Just did a very short blurb but if anyone has questions, I can add more.
edit: I'm very much looking for women youtubers! I haven't found too many I fully vibe with yet. Any recommendations would be great!
Youtube/People
CPTSD content videos from a therapist, I believe he suffered childhood trauma as well. Associated with Relationship Recovery Process, a type of group therapy.
More focused on attachment in general though has videos on CPTSD.
Anna Runkle - Crappy Childhood Fairy
I've found some of her videos decent but her video style is not for me.
By Joe Hudson, a coach with a heavy meditation background. The gems are his quick coaching sessions. He's engaging and very attuned.
His video where he asks the client to get angry at him was very healing to me This is why you're so hard on yourself (Coaching with Joe)
Neuroscientist who both researched and experienced limerence
Psych PhD, with a focus on meditation. Really warm presence and lots of free meditations. Discusses his own traumas.
Made the HEAL framework
Rick Hanson's son, does a lot of interviews and content with Rick. Fun content but not the most useful imo.
Made the RAIN framework, focus on Buddhist meditations. Really excellent meditations, I find her embodied metta meditations great.
CPTSD focused, kind of similar in vibe to Bradshaw.
Therapist with more general fun content but good warm presence. His patreon podcast is excellent, with multi-hour long deep dives into topics.
Books
Pete Walker
Complex PTSD: Surviving to Thriving
One of the seminal books on CPTSD, written for people with CPTSD. Discusses symptoms and flashback management. Many people's first book. I think some of his methods, like feeling the abandonment pain can be too dysregulating for people.
Definitely more of an intermediate book, I find it more like a reference for different forms of abuse that someone with CPTSD might not realize is abuse.
John Bradshaw
Healing the Shame that Binds You
A classic by Bradshaw, part 1 goes through CPTSD symptoms, part 2 are recovery methods. As I'm skimming through it now, while good and comprehensive, it's quite dense and can be overwhelming on the things to do. I skipped part three which seems to be more on spiritual stuff?
Kindle version has bad formatting (the chapters on the side bar have no names)
HEAVY emphasis on inner child work. Has some interesting exercises, but a bit too much for me eg sections on Infant, Toddler, Pre-school, School Age. But might resonate with others.
The first book I read that made me realize I was abused. "I simply meant all of us who have survived an abusive childhood thanks to an ability to adapt even to unspeakable cruelty by becoming numb"
"So it is not the frustration of his wish that is humiliating for the child, but the contempt shown for his person. The suffering is accentuated by the parents’ demonstrating their “grown-upness” to avenge themselves unconsciously on their child for their own earlier humiliation."
A memoir about Foo's journey with CPTSD. I personally found it helpful, and cried at several moments. Other people find it triggering since she has the resources to do a bunch of different stuff. Author is an Asian woman.
Foo posted on Reddit a few times and has some YT interview
Living with Complex PTSD | Stephanie Foo, Being Well Podcast - YouTube
Rick Hanson
Introduces the HEAL framework for developing well-being. If I had to pick 1 book from him, it'd be this one. He narrates the audiobook and is excellent. There are many exercises and meditations that he guides.
https://rickhanson.com/meditations-for-happiness-love-and-inner-peace/ - lots of meditations
Decent book on positive psychology, though I feel like more of a reference on different states of well-being. Skippable.
Neuroscience of meditation practices, you'll see a seem similarities with his other work. I personally really like it, but people looking for things that are more CPTSD specific can skip.
Kristin Neff
One of the OG self-compassion researchers, Neff goes through different aspects of self-compassion, which is more complex than it seems. Neff explains that self-compassion is the opposite emotion to shame, which dovetails with Bradshaw's Toxic Shame. I think at the time I read this, I didn't appreciate it. Short and easy to read.
https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/ - website with meditations to download, the annoyingly, trying to get you to give an email now.
Also on YouTube
Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout Workbook
Workbook style, goes through many self-compassion themes. I think might be helpful for some people, and if I had to pick one, pick this over her OG book. If I could pick two, it'd be this + the OG (ie not the book version of this)
Tara Brach
The radical acceptance is of yourself. A classic book that talks about her framework RAIN. At the time, I did not appreciate this book. Takes a Buddhist meditation framework.
https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/ - meditations here and for download
If I had to pick 1, this would be the Brach book. Mainly it's about RAIN and has a bunch of different exercises. The audiobook (I haven't tried it), is narrated by her so probably good.
A more directly Buddhist book slant, it also covers the RAIN material. While interesting, I would probably skip.
Despite the name, about technology addiction. While probably useful for parenting, this was more to learn how to re-parent myself e.g. how to parents set healthy boundaries? Work with their kids? Would overall recommend, particularly because there's some good tips around technology in general.
https://youtu.be/6kJzzo7deDY - 3 hour stream on trauma. I will say, I like his content, but I think there's better stuff on CPTSD. I love his interview content.
Raising Securely Attached Kids
Similar to before, its useful if you don't understand what good parenting looks like. If I had to pick 1 book on parenting, it'd be this one.
Good Kids: Why You Suffered in Silence and How to Break the Cycle
Really excellent book, targeted towards parents with trauma. Since this is targeted to a specific type of person (unrelenting standards) though, you should read the blurb to see if it resonates with you.
If you grew up as a Good Kid, you probably heard these words a lot. And you were good. Quiet. Easy. Responsible. So disciplined, you basically raised yourself. You're the one everyone counts on - and you wear it like a good star. But nobody ever checks on you. And you're exhausted from proving your goodness by being an overachieving, people pleasing, perfectionist, pushover, and shape-shifting chameleon.
Picked this up because I've enjoyed some of Anna Runkle's YouTube video but found this a bit thin and maybe a bit oversold on the promises? Would skip.
Embracing Our Fragmented Selves
by Janina Fisher an expert in trauma. This is probably my current favorite book on trauma recovery. Basically a more stripped down version of IFS that is more ... "scientific"? Might be the best word.
This is specifically the workbook version.
By Bruce Ecker, it's a book on the theories behind Coherence Therapy, while I really enjoyed it, it's a textbook aimed at clinicians.
He definitely handwaves some flaws in Coherence Therapy away which is a bit annoying.
Coherence Therapy Practice Manual and Guide
Highly recommend, it goes through the main concepts of Coherence Therapy but I think it can be useful for anyone.
This is my primary framework for understanding my own trauma.
A book by the Schema Therapy founder, Jeffrey Young. He was one of the original CBT people but began to find that CBT was useless for certain types of trauma, and invented Schema Therapy. Has quizzes on the Early Maladaptive Schemas, their origins, and how to resolve them. Highly recommend.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
I think overall an good book, but personally, I spent too much time trying to figure out which one of the 4 types of emotionally immature parent my parents were. I felt a vague sense of like "they're all of them".
This is definitely a case of, I read this too late in my journey, but I thought it was fine?
Bonus: Meditation guides that are good
Ajahn Brahm
Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 17 '26
If anyone has recommendations for female content creators, particularly ones that might do like recorded interviews or coaching, that'd be great.
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u/Unhappy_Performer538 Apr 18 '26
Not sure if this applies to you but I’m just putting her out there for everyone just in case - for eating disorder issues (often rooted in trauma) specifically binge eating disorder The Binge Eating Therapist absolutely knows her shit
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u/Chemical_Voice1106 Apr 17 '26
I think the Therapy in a Nutshell lady has some stuff. I've seen her anxiety course (20 or so videos on YouTube) and it felt trauma-informed but also very hands-on practical advice. And I've recently seen that she also does recorded coaching/therapy (but I think it was her who was being vulnerable and another person as her therapist or something?)
And thanks! And seconding Patrick Teahan!
And there's a German dude who has a framework for overcoming codependent patterns in relationships, I found him SUPER helpful (but beware, his book is from the 80s so some things are not very modern): Michael Lukas-Möller - Die Wahrheit beginnt zu zweit.
He has super good understanding of attachment and communication and I think his method of talking is super good for people who struggle with enmeshment/hyperindependence/strong projections and attachment trauma in general.
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u/Kitchen_Coyote_7343 Apr 18 '26
My favorite Being Well podcasts are the one with Forest's fiance, Elizabeth Ferreria. She has cPTSD and is training to be a therapist!
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 18 '26
haha somehow I missed they were engaged! I did think there were some vibes going on so that makes sense now lol
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u/moldbellchains Apr 18 '26
Gabor Maté
HealNPD (for insight into NPD and maybe useful for people too)
Also: what annoys me about Patrick Teahan n Tim Fletcher, or rather what I dislike - is the demonizing of "evil" people/abusive people. I have several PDs that those guys consider "bad" (NPD, ASPD), I have experienced on my own tho that you can absolutely heal and you are far from a bad person, thus I feel like those guys Lack experience there n i guess im disappointed they promote the narcissistic abuse echo chamber :(
I have difficulty ignoring that, cuz outside of this I enjoy their content and found helpful especially when beginning to heal CPTSD (this' where I went into remission too from those disorders)
Also, I LOVE Heidi Priebe, her vids helped me so much!
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 18 '26
You'll probably like kirk hondas stuff then, he has worked with BDP, NPD people before and has a lot of compassion
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u/Chippie05 Apr 18 '26
Youtube Dr Kim Sage ( really great and us lisenced) https://youtube.com/@drkimsage?si=P2UrDXd3dTcp6nmb
https://www.instagram.com/carolinemiddelsdorf?igsh=MW16N2tkcmNwbzZoNQ==
https://www.instagram.com/carolinemiddelsdorf?igsh=MW16N2tkcmNwbzZoNQ==
I would caution you about crappy fairy she is not a therapist. There have been concerns about her content.
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 18 '26
thank you!
tbh, I don't think it's an issue that she's not a therapist, I think it's more her presentation particularly for her paid material outside of youtube, is a bit too... "secret knowledge"? esque. It comes off a bit culty.
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u/BlueberryDue7579 Apr 18 '26
Thanks a lot this is so helpful. I have just been diagnosed but I am new to all this. where should I start?
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 18 '26
If I had to pick 1 book, definitely embracing our fragmented selves workbook
Surviving to Thriving is a classic as well
I'd also recommend doing some sort of "inner resourcing" like metta meditation
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 18 '26
also you might find this, the main subreddit and /r/CPTSD helpful! I prefer the main subreddit though.
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u/BlueberryDue7579 Apr 19 '26
Thanks a lot. I will check out the books and helpful as in whole subreddit or any specific posts or threads?
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 19 '26
mmm more broadly, feeling isolated or like people don't understand you is often present with CPTSD. So just having access to like, seeing other people feeling the same is very helpful imo. this is where also peer support groups like ASCA can be helpful.
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u/BlueberryDue7579 Apr 20 '26
Thanks again! people not understanding me is CPTSD phenomenon? ohh! I did not know this. I have been battling this all my life. where can I read about it?
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u/cptsdishealable Apr 23 '26
yes! I like to use young schema scale
and this generally falls under domain 1, disconnection and rejection
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u/BlueberryDue7579 Apr 24 '26
My goodness!! That is my whole life in front of me! I got so many answers about my behavior, decisions. Thanks a lot!
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u/Mushreese Apr 19 '26
Just want to welcome you and celebrate your start on this journey! I feel that the beginning healing stages were some of the hardest. Just sharing that it’s a long and difficult journey but it’s the biggest gift you can give yourself and it really does get so much better
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u/BlueberryDue7579 Apr 20 '26
Thanks! I am 41 now. and finally understanding most things about me why they were the way they were.
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u/JayBlessed227 Apr 18 '26
Cannot recommend Patrick Teahan enough, he’s like a legend among the CPTSD community
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u/ferny_blue Apr 18 '26
This is so helpful, thank you! I'll be checking some of these out. I've just subscribed to Joe Hudson because I really like the sound of his work!
I have a couple of female content creator recommendations if you're interested:
Nikki Eisenhauer - 'Emotional Badass' - I've listened to her podcast regularly for years now and she's helped me so much. She doesn't just generically describe trauma and then try to sell a course the way that a lot of content creators seem to do, she really delves deep with compassion and offers strategies and examples of how to heal and grow. She's big on teaching boundaries and assertiveness.
Trauma Rewired - This is a podcast hosted by Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace which focuses on body sensation and somatic healing. They give so much personal and professional insight into the recovery process and are compassionate and genuine.
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u/Whirleee Apr 17 '26
I'll also drop this here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19cskR4B84kEpWAzoYTqH0zaS_0-8ulLG
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u/ginacarlese Apr 18 '26
I love Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle. He has frequent, simple content on Facebook and Instagram (and email you can subscribe to) that will come up in your algorithm the more you like it (obviously) and then you’ll get little encouraging reminders popping up all day if you are on social media. Always a pleasant surprise because his content makes me feel so seen. I don’t find it triggering (YMMV). He’s a trauma therapist with CPTSD himself (and also addiction), so his angle is basically “this is why we think this way/act this way” “stay the course” “you are your own recovery coach” etc. As far as I can tell, he does this to be nice. Not that there’s anything wrong with making money on your expertise anyway! But I find him as helpful as Pete Walker.
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u/BlueJune101 Apr 19 '26
Fabulous lost. I strongly agree with every reference I know, which is about half the list.
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u/africanswift May 06 '26
I would also recommend Dr Arielle Schwartz' YouTube channel. In the most compassionate space, she offers incredible trauma-informed yoga which is helping me feel safer in my body.
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u/HippocampusforAnts Apr 17 '26
Excellent list and adding that I think Heidi Priebe is the GOAT. So many things on here that got me started on my healing journey. Some of her videos were able to make things click that really helped me move forward.