TOP Guide to Essential Books as a Psychologist

Are you a psychologist in training eager to absorb all possible knowledge? Or maybe you're an experienced professional looking for new perspectives and tools for your practice? No matter what stage you're at in your career, never underestimate the power of a good book. Books are a great way to gain new skills, challenge your preconceptions, and keep your passion for psychology alive.

We want to ensure that the information we share is useful, relevant and backed by experts. For this reason, these books have been carefully selected by the community of psychologists who use eHolo, who have extensive experience in the field. Each degree has been chosen not only for its academic contribution, but also for its ability to provide new and valuable perspectives for clinical work. In this way, we seek to provide all our colleagues in the profession, from those who are just starting out to the most experienced, a series of useful and high-quality resources that contribute to their professional and personal growth.

Whether you're looking To improve your skills, to better understand pathologies, or to seek solutions for specific problems, there is a book for you. So make your cup of coffee, take a seat in your favorite chair and discover these essential psychology books that can transform your practice and your perspective.

Here's a list of essential books, organized by category, that are sure to add value to your psychology practice:

1. Books for trained psychologists

1.1 Techniques

An essential classic for any psychologist in training is “The Skilled Helper: A Problem Management and Opportunity Development Approach to Helping” of Gerard Egan. This book is notable for its focus on client-therapist collaboration, and provides a step-by-step model for client-centered therapeutic change. Egan places special emphasis on the idea of helping people manage their problems and develop opportunities, essentially helping them to set and achieve their goals in life.

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1.2 Pathologies

“DSM-5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” Of the American Psychiatric Association is an indispensable tool for any mental health professional. This latest edition of the manual details the descriptions, symptoms and criteria for the diagnosis of each mental disorder, providing a deeper understanding of how mental illnesses are classified and diagnosed.

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2. Books for experienced psychologists

2.1 Emotional dependence

“Women who love too much” of Robin Norwood is an excellent resource for better understanding emotional dependence. Norwood explores relationships in which women seem to be too “in love” or “dependent” on their partners. The book provides useful strategies for overcoming these patterns of emotional dependence that often originate in childhood.

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2.2 Duel

“Black sun. Depression and melancholy” of Julia Kristeva is a moving and accessible guide that addresses the most difficult aspects of grief. From accepting loss to dealing with change, Kristeva offers a compassionate and humane approach to coping with and working through grief.

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2.3 Couples therapy

“Men are from Mars, women are from Venus” of John Gray is a fun and informative book about gender differences in dating relationships. Gray suggests that men and women have different ways of communicating, different emotional needs and different ways of interpreting each other's behavior, and offers practical advice on how to overcome these obstacles to improve relationships.

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2.4 Borderline Personality Disorder

“I Hate You--Don't Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality” of Jerold J. Kreisman and Hal Straus provides a clear and understandable approach to understanding borderline personality disorder. Its pages detail the challenges faced by people with this disorder and offer useful strategies to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

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Continuing with the list of must-haves, we explore even more books that are considered cornerstones in the study and practice of psychology:

3. Books according to psychological practice

3.1 Social Psychology

“The Social Animal” of Elliot Aronson It is a book that has earned a prominent place on the shelves of psychologists around the world. It covers a variety of topics relevant to social psychology, such as conformity, persuasion, cognitive dissonance, and more. Aronson presents a detailed and fascinating view of how and why we act in relation to others.

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3.2 Developmental Psychology

“The child and reality” of Jean Piaget is a pillar in the field of developmental psychology. Piaget, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, describes his theory about how children build their understanding of the world. The book is fundamental to understanding cognitive development and how children learn and understand their environment.

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3.3 Psychopathology

“The man who mistook his wife for a hat” of Oliver Sacks is a fascinating and profoundly human book that examines cases of patients with some of the most complex and strange neurological conditions. Sacks, with his extraordinary talent for storytelling, offers a glimpse into the world of psychopathology in an accessible and understandable way.

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3.4 Cognitive-behavioral therapy

“Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy” of David D. Burns is an accessible introduction to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Burns offers practical CBT-based techniques to combat depression and anxiety, demonstrating the power of our thoughts in the way we feel.

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3.5 Neuropsychology

“The Human Brain: Workbook” of Marian C. Diamond and Arnold B Scheibel is an excellent tool for those interested in studying neuropsychology. This workbook provides a detailed exploration of the human brain, including its structure and function.

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Whether you're just starting your journey in psychology or are a seasoned professional, these books offer a wide range of valuable knowledge. Staying informed and constantly learning is essential in the field of psychology, and these books are a great place to start or continue that journey.

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Adding these books to your library will allow you to further explore and understand the diverse aspects and challenges of psychology. They are valuable resources for learning and growing as a professional in this exciting field.

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