Emotional healing or self-healing takes a lot of work. When I started doing it, I had very little idea about the right way to do it. It took me a lot of try-and-testing to find one that fits to my stages of emotional healing.
But you might not need to experiment with different techniques. You can simply find the right one with the help of the best books on self healing.
Below are 11 books on emotional healing. You may select the one that suits you and start with your journey to a more resolved life.
1. Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha
By: Tara Brach
Goodreads: 4.28 (16,832 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (2,162 votes)
Year of Publish: 2003 | Total pages: 352
This self-healing book begins by shedding light on the general human tendency to resist and deny painful experiences. Brach emphasizes that it is this resistance that results in emotional turmoil and suffering. To deal with this issue she has introduced the idea of “radical acceptance”, which can help us in eliminating our suffering.
Central to radical acceptance, lies the practice of developing mindfulness and a non-judgemental attitude to life. Through these practices, we can fully embrace all aspects of ourselves – thus alleviating any resistance to the true nature of life.
This self healing book makes quite good use of personal anecdotes, Buddhist teachings, and guided meditations. Its practical methods can help us to find even advanced levels of ancestral healing and womb healing.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Provides practical exercises to cultivate self-compassion.
● Teaches mindfulness techniques to manage negative emotions.
● Encourages full acceptance of oneself and others.
● Promotes a sense of inner peace and emotional resilience by going beyond our thought patterns.
Preview: Google Books
Buy/Read: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
2. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
By: Brené Brown
Goodreads: 4.24 (149,234 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (11,145 votes)
Year of Publish: 2010 | Total pages: 160
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown is one of the best books on self-healing. It explores the journey to living a wholehearted life through accepting one’s vulnerabilities and imperfections. This book has used personal anecdotes, research findings, and transformative insights to guide readers toward an authentic way of life.
Brown has challenged cultural norms and societal expectations that are a major source of shame and self-doubt within us. She has identified ten guideposts – such as cultivating gratitude, embracing intuition, and letting go of perfectionism – that can help in connection with our deepest selves.
“The Gifts of Imperfection” serves as a self healing guide for anyone seeking to overcome feelings of inadequacy and low worth. It will help you in shifting from your imagined self towards your real self – the only way to a fulfilling life.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Encourages self-acceptance and self-love.
● Offers practical steps to let go of perfectionism.
● Promotes vulnerability as a source of strength.
● Fosters deeper connections with others.
● Provides tools to combat shame and build resilience.
Preview: Google Books
Buy/Read: Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
3. Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse
By: Shannon Thomas
Goodreads: 4.52 (1,724 votes) | Amazon: 4.8 (1,441 votes)
Year of Publish: 2016 | Total pages: 182
Shannon Thomas is a licensed therapist with extensive experience in trauma recovery. In her emotional healing book, she has emphasized the insidious nature of psychological abuse that subconsciously erodes the victims’ self-worth and autonomy.
Healing from Hidden Abuse preaches that healing and recovery occur through six stages. Some of the practical strategies for recovery are – recognizing and validating abuse, finding mindful awareness and self-compassion, establishing boundaries, fostering supportive relationships, and seeking professional help when needed.
If you want to read a self heal book that intertwines personal stories and professional insights to understand the complexities of psychological abuse, then this one is truly meant for you.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Identifies and validates the experience of psychological abuse.
● Offers a structured recovery process with well-defined stages.
● Provides practical tools for self-care.
● Encourages rebuilding self-esteem and self-worth.
● Promotes a sense of empowerment and resilience through healing.
Buy/Read: Amazon, Apple Books
Second Hand: AbeBooks
4. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
By: Brené Brown
Goodreads: 4.28 (91,804 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (10,584 votes)
Year of Publish: 2012 | Total pages: 320
In this one of the best books on self healing, Brené Brown has focussed on the idea of embracing vulnerability. She claims that it is only through vulnerability you can achieve courage, authenticity, and meaningful connection with others. Brown also recognizes vulnerability as an essential way to experience love, joy, and creativity in life.
Central to Brown’s thesis is another concept of “wholeheartedness” – a way of living that involves embracing imperfections, cultivating self-compassion, and nurturing our sense of worthiness. She discusses how shame, fear, and the pressure to appear invulnerable often prevent us from truly connecting with others and fulfilling our potential.
In Daring Greatly, Brown has made a good mix of research and personal experiences to unravel the complexities of vulnerability. She has offered practical insights and strategies for individuals, couples, parents, and leaders to integrate vulnerability into their lives.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Encourages embracing vulnerability as a strength.
● Provides tools to combat shame and build resilience.
● Fosters deeper and more meaningful connections.
● Promotes authenticity and courage in personal and professional life.
● Offers practical strategies for living a wholehearted life.
5. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
By: Eckhart Tolle
Goodreads: 4.15 (299,829 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (16,321 votes)
Year of Publish: 1997 | Total pages: 236
If you want to have that one book that can be your spiritual angel, then this is the one! “The Power of Now” is a transformative spiritual guide that emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. In this book, Tolle has explored how the mind and its ego, create an illusion of time and self that distracts individuals from experiencing true peace and fulfillment.
The core concept of this self-healing book is the distinction between the human mind and consciousness. Tolle asserts that the mind, with its obsession with the past and future, prevents individuals from experiencing the “Now”. Due to this philosophy it is also one of the best books on mindfulness.
He has also explained techniques like conscious breathing, inner body awareness, and looking into the silence. These techniques can help humans connect to their innermost being – a formless essence that exists beyond mind, body, and ego.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Promotes mindfulness and present-moment awareness.
● Offers techniques to overcome negative thinking.
● Encourages letting go of past regrets and future anxieties.
● Provides insights into achieving deep peace and clarity.
● Fosters the deepest connection with one’s innermost being and existence.
Preview: Google Books
Buy/Read: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
6. Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself
By: Melody Beattie
Goodreads: 4.12 (37,635 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (4,338 votes)
Year of Publish: 1986 | Total pages: 276
Codependent No More begins by helping readers understand the nature of codependency. Beattie provides a detailed description of codependent behaviors and thought patterns – like enabling, caretaking, and excessive control. She explains how these behaviors are often rooted in childhood experiences and family dynamics.
It is among the good books about emotional healing. One of the key messages of this book is the importance of self-care, self-love, and awareness. It has described the practical strategies for detaching with love, letting go of the need to control others, and finding fulfillment within oneself. If you already have found such fulfillment, then you will even be able to enjoy the best movies on loneliness.
This book also includes exercises and personal anecdotes that illustrate the challenges and triumphs of overcoming codependency. Beattie’s compassionate and non-judgmental tone will help you to feel understood and supported through your journey of self-discovery and healing. If you are searching for good books to read for self healing then you may go with this one.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Identifies and explains the patterns of codependency.
● Offers practical tools for self-care and boundary setting.
● Encourages emotional independence and self-worth.
● Provides strategies to break free from controlling behaviors.
● Promotes healthier and more balanced relationships.
Second Hand: ThriftBooks
7. The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency
By: Melody Beattie
Goodreads: 4.32 (10,993 votes) | Amazon: 4.8 (3,769 votes)
Year of Publish: 1990 | Total pages: 408
The Language of Letting Go is a self-healing book that is structured as a year-long journey of recovering from codependency. It is a daily meditation book with reflections and insights on codependent behaviors. By focusing on one topic per day, you can gradually absorb and apply the lessons to your own lives.
If you are searching for self help books on self healing then this might be your choice. It covers themes of self-care, boundaries, relationships, and personal growth. It will encourage you to detach from habits that hinder growth in relationships and life.
Overall, The Language of Letting Go is valuable for anyone struggling with people-pleasing tendencies, difficulty asserting boundaries, or finding a healthy balance in relationships.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Provides daily meditations for ongoing support.
● Encourages self-care and emotional balance.
● Offers practical advice for overcoming codependency.
● Fosters a sense of peace and acceptance.
● Promotes continuous personal growth and healing.
Buy/Read: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Second Hand: ThriftBooks
8. The Wisdom of No Escape: And the Path of Loving-Kindness
By: Pema Chödrön
Goodreads: 4.26 (7,728 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (700 votes)
Year of Publish: 1991 | Total pages: 176
The Wisdom of No Escape is one of the best self help books on emotional healing. Pema Chödrön is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist nun and teacher. In The Wisdom of No Escape, she has made a profound exploration of Buddhist teachings, mindfulness, and loving-kindness practice.
This book is structured as a series of simple talks and teachings, that make it accessible for both new-learners and seasoned practitioners. The clarity, warmth, and practical wisdom of Chödrön will help you understand how to feel your feelings fully.
Central to this emotional healing book is the concept of “no escape”. Chödrön explains it as the courageous act of facing life’s challenges directly, without seeking to evade or numb oneself from discomfort. Her practices on loving-kindness will help you cultivate empathy, forgiveness, and a deep sense of interconnectedness with all beings.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Encourages mindfulness and awareness in difficult times.
● Promotes self-compassion and acceptance.
● Offers practical advice for practicing loving-kindness.
● Provides insights into finding wisdom in everyday experiences.
● Fosters emotional resilience and inner peace.
Preview: Google Books
Buy/Read: Amazon, The Pema Chodron Foundation
9. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
By: Julia Cameron
Goodreads: 4.17 (95,026 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (3,548 votes)
Year of Publish: 1992 | Total pages: 272
The Artist’s Way is a transformative guidebook designed to reignite creativity and personal growth in the readers. You can read this book for self-healing. In this book, Cameron claims that all of us are inherently creative but we’re often stifled by self-doubt, fear, and external pressures.
She has structured this book like a 12-week program with two major tools – morning pages and artist dates. Morning pages involve daily writing that helps to clear the mind and tap into your subconscious. Artist dates are weekly solo excursions aimed at nurturing and replenishing one’s creative spirit.
Throughout the 12 weeks, Cameron addresses common creative challenges such as perfectionism, criticism, and self-sabotage. She advocates that creativity is in fact part of the spiritual journey stages that can lead to healing and fulfillment. If you are searching for the best self help books for emotional healing then this one is meant for you.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Encourages daily practices for self-expression.
● Helps overcome creative blocks and self-doubt.
● Promotes a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
● Fosters a deeper connection with one’s creative self.
● Provides tools for personal growth and healing through creativity.
Buy/Read: Powell’s, Penguin Random House
Rent: Chegg
10. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
By: Michael A. Singer
Goodreads: 4.21 (47,580 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (11,323 votes)
Year of Publish: 2007 | Total pages: 200
The Untethered Soul has gone deep into the nature of consciousness, self-awareness, and inner freedom. It is quite a good book to emotionally heal yourself. By “untethered soul”, Singer is referring to the liberated state of consciousness which lies beyond the fluctuations of thoughts, emotions, and external circumstances.
This is one of the best books about self healing that explores how habitual thought patterns and emotional reactions create inner barriers to our growth. It offers techniques and perspectives to cultivate mindfulness, conscious awareness, and a deeper understanding of your true nature. Through this process, you will be able to identify your exact causes of feeling sad for no reason at all.
In his emotional heal book, Singer also addresses concepts of surrender, acceptance, and the interconnectedness of all beings. She has drawn from various spiritual traditions and psychological insights to offer a comprehensive framework for inner transformation and spiritual awakening.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Encourages self-awareness and mindfulness.
● Offers techniques for letting go of limiting thoughts.
● Promotes inner peace and emotional freedom.
● Provides insights into understanding consciousness.
● Fosters a deeper connection with oneself.
Buy/Read: Barnes & Noble, Amazon
Second Hand: J. Michaels Books
11. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
By: Pema Chödrön
Goodreads: 4.33 (36,731 votes) | Amazon: 4.7 (2,981 votes)
Year of Publish: 1997 | Total pages: 160
In this self heal book, Chödrön has emphasized embracing pain and suffering rather than avoiding them. She believes that by facing our fears and discomforts, we can actually find a deeper understanding and acceptance of ourselves. All we need to do is, be mindfully present in moments of suffering.
Chödrön has further introduced the concept of “groundlessness”. This concept states that we can reach a profound transformation when we embrace our feeling of having no true certainty in life. By letting go of our attachments and expectations, we can experience the true sense of liberation.
You can use this healing book as a guide to embrace your vulnerabilities and find your innermost strength, resilience, and love.
How it will help in emotional healing:
● Encourages mindfulness and presence in difficult times.
● Promotes self-compassion and acceptance.
● Offers practical advice for navigating pain and uncertainty.
● Provides insights into finding strength in adversity.
● Fosters emotional resilience and inner peace.
Buy/Read: Shambhala Publications, The Pema Chodron Foundation
Rent CD: BookLender
All in All
The best books on self healing can be your flambeau in darkness. These books will help you acknowledge your emotions instead of suppressing them.
You just need to remember that ultimately it is not mere knowledge that can help you in your healing journey. But, you will need to rigorously practice the techniques provided in these emotional healing books.