Helpful resources for further exploration.
I’ve put together some books, podcasts and websites that I find helpful and may recommend to clients. Simply explore whatever feels useful or interesting to you.
BOOKS:
aNXIETY & THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION
Anxiety Rx — Dr Russell Kennedy
A compassionate exploration of anxiety that looks beyond anxious thoughts to the role of the body, nervous system and past experiences. Particularly helpful if anxiety feels like something you experience physically as well as mentally.
Anchored — Deb Dana
An accessible introduction to understanding your nervous system and the ways it responds to stress and perceived threat. Deb Dana explores Polyvagal Theory alongside practical ways of developing greater awareness of your nervous system.
Trauma & the Body
The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk
Explores how traumatic experiences can affect the brain, body and nervous system and why their effects can sometimes continue long after an experience has passed.
Waking the Tiger — Peter Levine
Explores trauma through the lens of the body’s natural responses to threat. Levine considers how overwhelming experiences can affect the body and nervous system and introduces his approach to trauma and healing.
Relationships & Connection
Getting the Love You Want — Harville Hendrix
Explores the patterns we can repeat in our intimate relationships and how our early experiences can influence the way we connect with others. An interesting read if you’re curious about your relationship patterns and want to develop greater awareness of yourself and your partner.
Self-Understanding & Inner Parts
No Bad Parts — Richard Schwartz
An accessible introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the idea that different parts of ourselves can hold different emotions, beliefs and protective roles. A compassionate approach to developing greater understanding of the different parts of ourselves.
WEBSITES:
Anxiety & Emotional Wellbeing
Therapy in a Nutshell
A practical, accessible resource offering videos and articles on anxiety, emotional regulation, panic, trauma and other common mental health difficulties. The resources focus on understanding what we’re experiencing and developing practical skills to manage difficult emotions.
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion
Tara Brach
Tara Brach offers a wealth of free resources including guided meditations, talks and articles exploring mindfulness, self-compassion, anxiety, grief, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Her RAIN practice — Recognise, Allow, Investigate and Nurture — can be particularly helpful for approaching difficult emotions with greater compassion.
Understanding the Nervous System
Polyvagal Institute
The Polyvagal Institute provides accessible information and resources for learning more about Polyvagal Theory and the relationship between the nervous system, safety, stress and connection. Their free learning library includes talks and videos for exploring these ideas further.
Embodied & Body-Based Resources
Institute of Embodied Psychotherapy — Free Guided Practices
A collection of free guided embodied practices designed to help you explore grounding, movement, body awareness and nervous-system regulation. These can be a gentle way of becoming more aware of what is happening in your body and finding ways to feel more grounded.
Vagus Nerve Yoga — Dr Arielle Schwartz
A collection of gentle yoga and movement practices exploring the connection between the body, nervous system and emotional wellbeing. These practices may be useful if you’re interested in developing greater awareness of your body and finding ways to feel more grounded and settled.
Self-Understanding & Inner Parts
IFS Institute — Internal Family Systems
The official website of the IFS Institute, offering an introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), along with free videos, articles and other resources. IFS explores the idea that we all have different inner “parts”, each with its own feelings, beliefs and protective role. It can be a helpful way of developing greater curiosity and compassion towards the different parts of ourselves.
Support & Urgent Help
Mind — Get Help Now
Mind provides information and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties. This page can help you find appropriate support if you’re struggling, including crisis resources, urgent help and information about contacting Mind’s support services. If you feel you may seriously harm yourself or have already seriously harmed yourself, Mind advises seeking urgent medical help.
PODCASTS:
Anxiety & Overwhelm
6 Magic Words That Stop Anxiety & Overwhelm — The Mel Robbins Podcast
A practical episode exploring what happens when we get caught in cycles of worry, catastrophising and overthinking. Mel Robbins introduces a simple phrase designed to interrupt anxious thought patterns and create some space from the spiral.
Mind, Body & Wellbeing
Feel Better, Live More — Dr Rangan Chatterjee
A wide-ranging podcast exploring mental and physical wellbeing, with conversations about stress, anxiety, sleep, relationships, the nervous system and lifestyle. Dr Chatterjee brings together experts from a range of fields in an accessible and practical way.
A New Model for Solving Anxiety — Dr Russell Kennedy, Episode 370
A particularly relevant episode if you’re interested in the connection between anxiety and the body. Dr Russell Kennedy explores anxiety from a mind–body perspective, including why anxious feelings can show up physically and how working with the body may help us respond differently to anxiety.
Childhood, Trauma & Relationships
How Our Childhood Shapes Every Aspect of Our Lives — Dr Gabor Maté, The Motherkind Podcast
A compassionate conversation exploring how our childhood experiences can influence the way we relate to ourselves, others and our children. Dr Gabor Maté discusses childhood trauma, stress, addiction, parenting and the ways our early experiences can continue to shape us in adulthood.
The Diary of a CEO — Erica Komisar
A thought-provoking conversation exploring the importance of early attachment and the ways our childhood experiences can influence emotional development, relationships and wellbeing later in life. Erica Komisar discusses the role of parents and caregivers in helping children develop emotional security and resilience.
These resources are recommended for further exploration and are not intended to replace individual therapy or professional advice. Some of the material, particularly around trauma, may feel emotionally challenging, so please choose what feels right for you.