I put together this list of books about healing childhood trauma based on my own experiences with healing from my childhood. The books on this reading list cover the science of trauma, how it impacts the brain, body, nervous system, and our relationship with ourselves and others. These books also provide various roadmaps and supports for healing childhood trauma. The insights in these books have formed important stepping stones on my own healing journey, and I hope that you find them helpful as well.

#1 Book for Healing Childhood Trauma - Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana, LCSW

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my own childhood trauma healing journey, it’s that healing really is about the nervous system. This understanding has given me patience with the healing process and with myself because I understand that I can’t just force myself to think the “right” thoughts; I have to give my nervous system time and care to heal like I would give time and care to a broken bone.

Anchored is a practical guide to understanding how your nervous system works, how you can learn to tune in to what your nervous system is doing, and how you can work with your nervous system to regulate your emotions.