personal growth resources
the road back to you
This book is about the enneagram, which is a personality typing assessment shown on a nine pointed model. Rather than being a simplistic personality assessment, it invites deeper reflection regarding inner motivations, self-awareness, and growth points for its readers. Exploring the enneagram is helpful for individuals, yet also insightful for relationships. There is a podcast that goes along with this book for those who prefer to listen.
the happiness project
This book chronicles Gretchen Rubin’s year spent intentionally pursuing happiness. What she finds is that often small, intentional changes and shifts very much affected her sense of well-being and experience of happiness. This fits with how I see growth as often not being reached through dramatic steps, but rather through baby steps that carry significant weight in setting your course.
daring greatly
This book is a phenomenal research-based resource as it speaks to things that we do not usually talk about related to shame and vulnerability. Brene’ Brown reframes vulnerability as strength, and she encourages readers to take the risks involved with showing up and being visible rather than watching life from the sidelines.
mindset
This research based book emphasizes the power of how we view our capabilities. A fixed mindset limits us, whereas a growth mindset lifts us towards a willingness to try new things even when they are hard. This resource fosters self-reflection around our own mindsets, and in becoming self-aware, we are given the opportunity to let go of self-defeating beliefs and take on a new narrative.
liturgy of the ordinary
This book fosters reflection regarding how we go about our days. It integrates Christian theology into daily living in a way that elevates every day practices that often feel mundane as being sacred. In this way, it invites readers to experience daily life and habits in a way that is profoundly meaningful.
present over perfect
This resource beckons us to slow down and savor our days and relationships. Often we get caught up in striving for perfection--in our homes, in our dress, in our relationships, and in our careers. I think about this dynamic especially around the holidays. Yet, being present is of so much greater value. I especially love the title of this book as it is easy to remember and can serve as a mantra of sorts for us to press into when we find ourselves striving and stressing over perfection.
the gifts of imperfection
This book is a gift to it’s readers in that it beckons us all to Wholehearted living which is done from a place of worthiness. When we know our worth and our value, we no longer look to others or the world around us to tell us who we are and what we should be. Instead, we are free to be who we are. The book includes several guideposts for Wholehearted living as well as reflective questions, giving the reader many action points for growth and reflection.
The Boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse
This beautiful book inspires self-compassion for its readers. It is the kind of book that may be treasured by children and adults alike as most of us can benefit from learning to speak to ourselves more gently. Through whimsical illustrations and dialogue between the four characters, this book is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom on themes such as being kind to yourself, true bravery, asking for help, love, strength, vulnerability, and journeying forward.
LIFE of the beloved
This book speaks to claiming self-worth and value from a spiritual perspective. Nouwen highlights our tendency as people towards self-rejection as wounds and hurts take root in our lives and lead us towards believing a narrative that rejects our inherent value. In contrast, he emphasizes that being beloved is a truth to be claimed. Claiming our belovedness instills in us a solid sense of well-being that we can carry with us into all aspects of our lives. This is often a lifelong journey—ever before us.
The power of attachment: how to create deep and lasting intimate relationships
This book is an incredible resource for generating reflection on patterns of attachment. It provides education on the four attachment styles, recommends self-reflection and exercises, and ultimately conveys a hopeful message that more secure, healthy attachment is available for all of us to move towards. Above all else, this resource encourages connection, both connection with ourselves as well as connection with others.
DISCLAIMER: Elizabeth is a member of Amazon Affiliates. If you choose to buy a product from any of these links, Burton Counseling will receive a small portion of the proceeds. You may choose instead to support your local bookstore and buy directly from them. These are book recommendations with therapeutic and character education themes that may or may not be helpful. This is not therapy itself.
Elizabeth B. Burton is a licensed professional counselor with Burton Counseling, PLLC. Elizabeth provides online counseling for individual adults living in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. Elizabeth provides in person counseling for individuals located near Chattanooga, TN. You can learn more about counseling with Elizabeth here.
Elizabeth also provides life coaching for individual adults and couples living anywhere. Life coaching services are available online, and in person coaching is available for individual adults located near Chattanooga, TN. You can learn more about life coaching with Elizabeth here.
In addition to counseling and coaching, Elizabeth provides courses and workshops. You can learn more about Elizabeth’s course on Coping with Anxiety & Stress here, and if you are interested in workshops, you can learn more here. In addition, Elizabeth writes about mental wellness on her blog here. Be sure to stay connected with Elizabeth through the monthly “Narrating Hope” newsletter.