Holiday Gift Guide

A Celebration of Sex by Douglas E. Rosenau

This was used in my graduate class on Human Sexuality and when I later taught a college class on sexuality, I used this book again. It’s my go-to resource for sex therapy and my most recommended book to couples with sexual issues or clients who need a holistic, Christian sex education.

Things Your Mother Never Told You by Kim Gaines Eckert

Written by one of my college psychology professors

The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex/The Good Guy’s Guide to Great Sex by Sheila Wray Gregoire and Keith Gregoire

Buy a copy for your newlywed (or engaged) girl friend and give a copy to her husband too!

Redeeming Sex by Debra Hirsch

Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

The Power of Showing Up by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

Worried you’ll never be able to have a secure and close connection with your kids because of the relationship you had with your parents as a child? This book will give you so much hope.

No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King

Practical scripts to gain cooperation from little kids (ages 2-7).

No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury

We are a WWJD family–what would Janet do? She is truly my go-to parenting expert.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Laura Markham

The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr

A compelling read with a message I thoroughly endorse. This book has a powerful message with the potential to shatter evangelical’s tightly-held beliefs in “biblical womanhood”. 

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

Women Rising by Meghan Tschanz

Through Meghan’s story, she invites us to share her passion for feminism. I think this book will be most powerful for young women who are starting to explore their faith outside of the American evangelical church and questioning their beliefs on gender roles. Meghan shows us how “learning to listen and reclaiming our voice” are the keys to establishing the full equality of women and men in value AND role. 

Buried Talents by Susan Harris Howell

Susan Harris Howell writes a fantastic analysis of the ways we socialize boys and girls differently–and the outcomes in adulthood. A psychologist and professor of gender studies, Howell deftly applies psychological research on gender socialization with therapeutic techniques to help readers overcome the stereotyped messages they received.

Together by Tim and Anne Evans

Talking Back to Purity Culture by Rachel Joy Welcher

Rachel’s book is one of the only purity culture-focused books I personally recommend. She critiques the harmful messages of purity culture while still adhering to a biblical sexual ethic. I applaud Welcher for reigniting the conversation about purity culture among Christians. This is a trusted and thought-provoking start to the conversation in our churches and communities.

The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire

I recommend this to ALL my Purity Culture Recovery Coaching clients. The Great Sex Rescue is a long overdue correction to Christian books on marriage and sex. With both biblical truth and evidenced-based research on sexuality, Sheila and her co-authors tackle the myths that keep many Christian couples from enjoying true passion and intimacy.

Read my full review here.

Real Sex by Lauren F. Winner

Explores the virtue of chastity as a spiritual discipline. 

Making Chastity Sexy by Christine J. Gardner

Non-Toxic Masculinity by Zachary Wagner

Releases in April 2023 and I can’t wait!

Watch my interview with the author here.

I Thought It Was Just Me (but It Isn’t) and The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Other Brené books get more attention, but her first two are my favorite.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman

When I see couples for therapy, this is the book I have them read.

Try Softer by Aundi Kolber

I recommend this book to every perfectionist client I have! I love how Aundi makes complex psychological concepts like trauma and our nervous system understandable to any reader. A gentle companion if you are healing from anxiety, stress, and trauma.

The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner

The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

Party of One by Joy Beth Smith

Finally I have a book I can wholeheartedly recommend. Joy Beth doesn’t shy away from hard topics like masturbation, or from challenging poor theology with her chapters titled “God doesn’t owe you a husband” and “Jesus might not meet all your needs.” I also really appreciate the research through the round-table discussions she did with other single women, so the book has more diverse voices and stories than just her own. 

Sexless in the City by Kat Harris

Singled Out by Christine A. Colón and Bonnie E. Field

How to Get a Date Worth Keeping by Henry Cloud

Unwanted by Jay Stringer

At first glance, I didn’t think therapist Jay Stringer’s book on unwanted sexual behavior (sexual addiction and compulsivity) would interest me. But I was wrong. His thesis that understanding our sexual fantasies are is the key to our healing makes so much sense. I have already recommended this book to several clients.

The Best of You by Alison Cook

I interviewed Dr. Alison Cook about her new book on boundaries, emotional health, spiritual bypassing, and more. In Dr. Cook, we find a wise and safe guide who both validates the impact of confusing church messages and spiritual abuse while pointing us toward the One who can provide ultimate healing.

My Interview with Dr. Alison

Celebrities for Jesus by Katelyn Beaty

Kately Beaty offers an incisive look at “how personas, platforms, and profits are hurting the church”. I admired how Beaty manages to make a book critiquing Christian celebrity culture surprisingly hopeful and positive.

My Interview with Katelyn Beaty

The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride

Dr. Hillary McBride is an expert on embodiment. While I wish this book included more about the theology of the body, there are a lot of helpful embodiment practices for making peace with the body and being more in tune to the connection between body, mind, and spirit. I recommend this to my coaching clients who struggle with mind-body integration.

Grace Can Lead Us Home by Kevin Nye

Kevin Nye is ideally suited to lead us on this journey of the Christian response to homelessness. He combines the heart and theological wisdom of a pastor with the empathy and trauma-informed perspective of a social worker.