10 Books Counseling Students Should Read

Counseling students who want to learn more about their chosen field can supplement college coursework with independent reading. Psychology and counseling professionals recommended the following books, which cover topics like achieving happiness, the impact of childhood trauma, how mindset can affect our lives, and attachment styles. Whether you want to learn more about your future career or simply satisfy your curiosity, you can surely find something appealing on the list below.

Book Recommendations for Counseling Students

1. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Dweck is a psychologist at Stanford University interested in fixed vs. growth mindsets. A growth mindset encompasses the idea that we as humans can develop our character and improve qualities like intelligence and creative abilities. Dweck argues that a growth mindset can help people succeed in nearly every area of life.

2. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth Like Dweck, Angela Duckworth believes that people do not succeed due to inherited talents. Instead, Duckworth writes, people can accomplish their goals by displaying grit, or a passionate sort of perseverance. "The book is based in science while having many applications in different domains like sports and business," says Dr. Alan Chu, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

3. The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris This book explores the theory that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have serious consequences later on in life. Students can "learn about the impact of trauma on neurodevelopment, health outcomes, and educational opportunities," said Robin Neuhaus, a Ph.D. candidate studying child development at New York University.

4. The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and their Patients by Irvan Yalom In this book, Dr. Yalom shares advice he's learned over the course of his career. Among his advice: acknowledge your mistakes, and Freud sometimes had it right. Elizabeth Polinsky, a licensed clinical social worker and military marriage counselor in Virginia, recommends The Gift of Therapy for new clinicians who want to dig deep into concepts like empathy and self-disclosure.

5. Attachment Theory in Practice by Sue Johnson As the title suggests, this volume digs deep in attachment, or the theory of bonds between two people. If you've heard the terms "anxious or avoidant attachment style," then you already know a bit about this theory. Couples and family counselors can gain a great deal of insight and "be better prepared to work with their individual clients seeking assistance for relationship concerns," Polinsky advises.

6. Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman People can find happiness by concentrating on their strengths instead of their faults, Seligman argues, offering brain-training exercises to help individuals develop a positive mindset. The book "offers a practical, accessible overview of this versatile intervention and its application," said Dr. Diana Concannon, dean of the California School of Forensic Studies at Alliant International University.

7. NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson Dr. Neuhaus recommends this book as "an excellent resource for psychology students interested in delving deeper into developmental psychology." The author examines studies that challenge many common assumptions about parenthood, along with different strategies for interacting with and raising children.

8. The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky For people who prefer concrete strategies to abstract theories, this guide lays out 10 paths to happiness. But it's not just a workbook; Lyubomirsky builds on her own research from the University of California. "Psychology students should read to learn about positive psychology as well as help themselves and others overcome emotional struggles, such as during the pandemic," Chu suggests.

9. Neuropsychological Assessment 5th Edition by Muriel Deutsch Lezak, Diane B. Howleson, Erin D. Bigler, and Daniel Tranel If you're having trouble in your neurology class, this book may help. Focusing on neurobehavioral disorders, especially those related to brain injuries or dysfunctions, it "makes complex brain concepts understandable," Concannon says. This edition includes the latest research and methodologies.

10. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn This may be more of a philosophy book than a psychology book, but Concannon recommends it anyway. It offers insight into how science develops over the years, and, in turn, the way the scientific principles of psychology evolve. The book "supports reflection when consuming or engaging in psychological research," Concannon says.