
Past Newsletters
2025 Books
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Good Inside by Becky Kennedy
Good Inside by Becky Kennedy offers a refreshing approach to parenting by focusing on the inherent goodness within both children and parents. Through practical advice rooted in empathy, self-awareness, and connection, Kennedy encourages parents to move away from punitive methods and instead embrace the belief that every child is "good inside," even when they exhibit challenging behaviors. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of these behaviors, fostering emotional intelligence, and setting compassionate boundaries. With actionable tools and real-world examples, Kennedy helps parents build stronger, more trusting relationships with their children, while also nurturing their own growth and well-being. This empowering guide is a must-read for those seeking to parent with confidence and compassion in an often overwhelming world.
Winter 2025
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Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke explores the complex relationship between pleasure, addiction, and the brain's reward system in our hyperstimulated modern world. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and real-life case studies, Lembke explains how the relentless pursuit of pleasure—through substances, social media, or even work—has led to an epidemic of addiction and mental health struggles. The book delves into how the brain's dopamine pathways drive our cravings and how we can regain balance by embracing discomfort, self-control, and moderation. Lembke offers practical strategies for rewiring the brain and finding healthier ways to experience pleasure, making this a crucial read for anyone seeking to understand and overcome the pull of addictive behaviors in today's society.
Spring 2025
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The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States, arguing that the war on drugs has led to the systematic disenfranchisement of Black Americans. Through detailed analysis and compelling narrative, Alexander shows how the legal system has perpetuated racial inequality by disproportionately targeting Black and brown communities, leading to the creation of a "racial caste" system. This book offers critical insights into how policies and practices designed to address crime have instead fueled mass incarceration and undermined civil rights, making it an essential read for those seeking to understand the enduring legacy of racial injustice in America and the need for reform.
Summer 2025
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The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga introduces readers to the principles of Adlerian psychology, challenging conventional views on happiness, personal growth, and the pursuit of fulfillment. Through a series of dialogues between a philosopher and a young man, the book explores how we can take control of our lives by embracing the freedom to choose our responses and let go of past traumas or societal expectations. The authors argue that true happiness lies in our ability to live authentically, take responsibility for our actions, and cultivate meaningful relationships, encouraging readers to break free from self-imposed limitations and live with courage and purpose. This thought-provoking book is a powerful guide for those seeking deeper self-understanding and personal transformation.
Fall 2025
2024 Books
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Gender Euphoria Edited by Laura Kate Dale
In this joyful anthology, nineteen intersex, agender, gender-fluid, trans, and non-binary writers share their stories of gender euphoria. This collection of personal experiences serves to offer a more balanced published perspective on gender dysphoria and euphoria in the lives of non-cisgender people. Editor Laura Kate Dale argues that gender dysphoria is often focused on, but has seen that it is actually gender euphoria that moves people forward in their transitions - the power of fully being themselves and being recognized for who they are. This collection is an incredibly important read for those wishing to experience more joy in their lives and to continue working to uproot the harmful binary gender beliefs that dominant society has forced upon us all.
Winter 2024
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Coping with Trauma Related Dissociation by Suzette Boon, Kathy Steele, and Onno Van Der Hart
Trauma-related dissociation is often under diagnosed and misunderstood. The authors join together to bring a comprehensive read that helps clinicians and their clients better understand dissociation and how to work with it. This book offers various coping skills, work sheets, and information on how best to support stabilizing dissociation. It is important that those struggling with dissociation are supported in understanding what dissociation is, what their triggers are, and how to regulate their emotions, all in order to better regulate their dissociation and reclaim their life.
Spring 2024
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The Power of Attachment by Diane Poole Heller
Diane Poole Heller, PhD, a therapist with 45 years of clinic experience and expertise in Adult Attachment Theory, and trauma resolution offers her readers a positive, hopeful framework for understanding our personal attachment struggles, to connect with our most authentic self and provide strategies to overcome our personal obstacles to connecting with others. This is a book for therapists, those entering new relationships, or those wanting to deepen and/or improve an existing relationship. The book aims to illustrate that we are all fundamentally designed to heal and that we all have a secure attachment system that can be accessed, once we understand what’s interfering with it and practice the skills to bring us into greater intimacy.
Summer 2024
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Namwayut by Chief Robert Joseph
A Canadian book by Chief Robert Joseph that focuses on how Canada is to move forward to a more cohesive and enriched reconciliation. The author uses his own story of surviving residential school to shed light on the impacts of colonization and to help the reader understand the importance of reconciliation and finding a path forward. The book is filled with beautiful photographs from the author’s life. It is important that we continue to put time and energy into healing the broken bonds created by colonization and finding a way to live in peace and harmony as a community.
Fall 2024
2023 Books
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The Myth of Normal by Gabor and Daniel Mate
This book is one of many written by Gabor Mate, though he describes this book as the accumulation of everything he has learned. Gabor talks about how the toxicity of our modern-day culture in North America is making us sick, in body, mind, and spirit. The book pays particular attention to trauma, illness, and ways of healing within a toxic culture. Reading this book will better help you understand the impacts you may be experiencing within the various domains of your life and open your eyes to how to go about shifting those impacts and reclaiming your wellness.
Winter 2023
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No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz
This book is foundational in how psychology understands the psyche and how it operates. Richard Schwartz created Internal Family Systems (IFS) which is a therapeutic approach that believes we all exist with various aspects of self and when these aspects (parts) are at odds with each other then we become unwell. IFS supports people in connecting to parts of themselves to better understand these parts, meet their needs, and process their pain, so that there becomes more cohesion and a sense of wholeness. Various therapeutic models have been developed with IFS as inspiration including Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST).
Spring 2023
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White Women by Regina Jackson and Sara Rao
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTORThis book is a calling to arms for white women to better support the anti-racism movement and deconstruct white supremacy. The authors, Regina and Saira, highlight the socialization for white women to be ‘nice’ which keeps them from being better co-conspirators to POC. This book analyzes and deconstructs 9 different behaviours that white women engage in that hurt POC and uphold white supremacy. A few examples are tone policing and weaponizing tears. This read is a must for continued deconstruction of white supremacy and owning our role.
Summer 2023
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The Pain Gap by Anushay Hossain
This book is written by Anushay Hossain, who uses her own devastating experiences within the healthcare system as an example of how important it is to advocate for change. Anushay is not only a writer, but a feminist policy analyst with a speciality in women’s health legislation. She uses her voice to highlight how sexism and racism that is embedded in health are puts women’s lives at risk, killing many. She uses the stories of many women’s traumatic experiences within the health care system as an anchor for her well researched book.
Fall 2023
2022 Books
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I am Woman by Lee Maracle
This book was written in 1988, though many of the same travesties and issues continue today. The author provides an autobiographical account of her life which supports her understanding and insights regarding how racism, sexism, and oppression have impacted the feminist movement in supporting the same equality within the Indigenous communities. Reading this book will further your understanding of the oppression of Indigenous peoples, especially women, and what is needed for change. The more we understand, then the better allies we can be in our communities.
Winter 2022
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Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith
The author embraces a transpersonal psychology framework to incorporate the wisdom of the chakra system to empower the psychological process. The book walks through all 7 chakras to share the qualities and characteristics, rooting each within traditional ideology. She also shared what traumas and issues arise within each chakra, and provides guidance on healing and working through such issues. The author provides a gentle and respectful look at a holistic system of information and healing, while also respecting the cultural roots of this wisdom. This book is great for therapists and clients alike.
Spring 2022
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Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings
A radical deconstruction of fat phobia back to its racist roots. The author uses historical documents to show how fat bodies were praised, up until the Enlightenment era that saw racism change the perspective on fatness. This book supports reconceptualizing the current fat phobic culture within a racial context, as a way to dismantle and deconstruct the harm caused by fat phobia. Fat phobia oppresses a large portion of society by shaming fat people and creating fear of fatness in others. This book will serve as a re-education to challenge anti-fatness, while also further serving to challenge anti-blackness.
Summer 2022
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The Stonewall Reader Edited by The New York Public Library
The Stonewall uprising is a historical moment in time for the rights of LGBTQIA2+. This book provides historical documents that allow a glimpse into the time before, during, and after the riots of Stonewall. Activists for the movement are spotlighted to show the trials and tribulations that were endured in support of the LGBTQIA2+ movement. The Stonewall riots were a catalyst for queer rights, encouraging and supporting a whole new generation to fight for their rights and the rights of their community. It is important that all human rights are honoured within the legal and social systems. Part of supporting queer rights is by getting educated in the history of how those rights were oppressed, how those rights were honoured, and how we can continue to support honouring those rights.
Fall 2022
2021 Books
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Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker
This book is semi-autobiographical in that it uses the author’s journey of sobriety as an illustration for her wisdom about how to live a sober life. The unique insight is viewing alcohol as a self-oppressing substance that keeps us from fully living our lives.
January 2021
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White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
This book tackles the uncomfortable though much needed conversation regarding white fragility. As a white person it is imperative that I continue to educate and challenge myself regarding the privilege that I hold in the world and most importantly, how I use it.
February 2021
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CBT: The Cognitive Behavioural Tsunami by Farhad Halal
This book explores how CBT clawed its way to the top and how that spot might not be so warranted. I think it is important that we deconstruct and study the therapeutic modalities used in psychology, especially those that have monopolized the system.
March 2021
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Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
A hot topic, particularly with the state of the world being impacted by the global pandemic. This book explores the unique experience for the female identified population and how the socialization of women and everyday stressors impact wellness. A must read as it gives a ton of practical tips to ease the stress response.
April 2021
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Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater
On going intentional decolonization and reconciliation should be a part of everyone’s journey, especially for those of us in the helping field. This book highlights the colonization within the helping system and graciously provides indigenous ways of knowing to challenge the status quo.
May 2021
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This Body is Not an Apology by Sonja Renee Taylor
Body acceptance has been making huge strides within society, though continues to be minimized in its fight for recognition from the medical and fitness industries. This book takes back the power within that fight and focuses on the individual efforts that accompany body acceptance.
June 2021
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Spiritual Bypassing by Robert Augustus Masters
Often not a topic that is explored enough, though an issue that spreads wide. This book explores the shadow side of spirituality and how it can create a disconnect and encourage avoidance. This is an important discussion especially as our world becomes more open to spirituality.
July 2021
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Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors by Janina Fisher
Fragmented selves is a clinical understanding of what trauma does to ones psyche, spirit and sense of self. This book brings that impact to light and to the masses. The exploration of the self in fragments is a useful metaphor and language to understand the disconnection from self post-trauma.
August 2021
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21 Things you may Not know about the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
It is imperative that we continue to learn on our journeys to support decolonization and reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples in our communities. This book aims to teach and demystify The Indian Act to support Canadians in understanding what it means and how we can help repair what it has done.
September 2021
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Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
An invitation to continue to deepen your anti-racist practice through more learning, reflection and action. This book is structured to be read over a 4 week period and offers a guide for insight development, change and action.
October 2021
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My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem
An exploration of the impacts of radicalized trauma and the journey to healing. Using a somatic lens to understand impacts and healing helps shape the understanding of how the body tells the tale. A much needed centralization for BIPOC and their trauma.
November 2021
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Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
An autobiographical of Viktor’s expereinces during the Holocaust and how this shaped his understanding of meaning and resilience. This book helps the reader understand the power of meaning in the face of unimaginable suffering and loss.
December 2021