Essential Reads, Listens, and Watches for New Counselors: Building Confidence and Growing Into Leadership 📖
As a new counselor, balancing personal and professional growth is key to a thriving career – one where you feel confident, resilient, and prepared to lead when the time comes. Personally, I’m an audio learner; I find that I absorb and learn best when I listen to content. So, I’ve put together some recommendations that span different mediums, with a special focus on podcasts and audiobooks. But I encourage you to explore different ways of learning to see what works best for you!
Continuing education doesn’t have to mean just reading articles or textbooks. Mixing in various types of content can keep things fresh and help you retain more of what you learn. Below, you’ll find a blend of reading and listening options, but if there’s another medium that’s worked well for you, send me suggestions – I’m always interested in new ways to grow!
Why I Recommend It: Well, if I’m going to suggest resources for new counselors, I can’t skip my own podcast! Friends with (Therapy) Benefits is a mix of therapy insights, personal stories, and just enough dark humor to keep you entertained (because who doesn’t need a laugh while learning?). Plus, you’ll hear me and my best friend Greg tackle real-life therapy questions and dilemmas from a therapist’s – and a non-therapist’s – perspective.
Key Takeaways:
Laugh (and maybe cringe) at the messy, wonderful, and sometimes awkward sides of therapy.
Pick up tips for navigating your own journey as a counselor, from client dynamics to self-care.
Get permission to not take yourself too seriously – because let’s be honest, mental health work is intense, and sometimes you just need a “therapist-friendly” space to relax.
Why I Recommend It: Dr. Walker’s deep insights on mental health are a must for any counselor. Her perspective on resilience and mental fortitude goes beyond cultural barriers and provides a strong foundation for understanding our own mental well-being.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of psychological resilience in therapy and daily life.
How to recognize signs of emotional overload before burnout.
Building “mental health strength” as a counselor for lasting career satisfaction.
Why I Recommend It: This podcast offers thoughtful, accessible conversations about therapy that range from theory to practice, featuring diverse voices and approaches. It’s like getting a mini-mentorship session each episode.
Key Takeaways:
Strategies for setting boundaries without guilt.
Insight into developing a therapy style that’s both grounded and flexible.
Tips for personal resilience and self-compassion.
Why I Recommend It: Dr. LePera’s work encourages us as therapists to examine our own inner workings. Her videos blend self-awareness practices with practical tips on confidence and boundary-setting.
Key Takeaways:
Exercises for enhancing self-awareness as a practitioner.
Techniques for leading confidently, even when imposter syndrome kicks in.
How to maintain your identity and mental health outside of your therapist role.
Why I Recommend It: 2nd Edition Coming in February 2025! Taylor’s powerful work on self-acceptance translates beautifully into a counseling framework. Embracing who we are allows us to hold space confidently for others – an essential quality in any leader.
Key Takeaways:
Radical self-love as a pathway to understanding and empathy.
Strategies for guiding clients in self-acceptance.
How to foster a compassionate space for yourself and your clients.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Why I Recommend It: Tawwab provides a clear, practical guide to setting boundaries – something every new counselor needs to master early on. It’s a go-to for ensuring you have the energy and clarity to lead effectively.
Key Takeaways:
Practical steps to identify, communicate, and uphold boundaries.
Insights on avoiding burnout by reclaiming your time and energy.
Confidence in saying “no” so you can say “yes” where it truly matters.
Why I Recommend It: As therapists, understanding different cultural contexts is crucial. This podcast dives into conversations about race, identity, and community, offering a balanced, honest perspective that’s invaluable for any counselor.
Key Takeaways:
Greater empathy for diverse experiences and perspectives.
How to navigate complex conversations about race and identity.
Understanding social dynamics to better support clients and grow as a culturally competent leader.
Book: My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
Why I Recommend It: Menakem’s work on trauma, specifically racialized trauma, provides a powerful framework for counselors. It’s an eye-opening book that inspires empathy, patience, and strength as a leader.
Key Takeaways:
Insights on how trauma manifests physically and impacts mental health.
Techniques for grounding yourself and managing stress.
Understanding the somatic aspects of trauma to support both clients and yourself.
Why I Recommend It: This is a classic in personal growth for a reason. Clear breaks down the science of habits, providing actionable steps that help us build consistency and confidence in our work – essential for any budding leader.
Key Takeaways:
How to build and reinforce small, confidence-boosting habits.
Strategies for sticking with routines that prevent burnout.
Understanding the power of incremental change, especially in long-term growth.
Why I Recommend It: Though not exclusive to counselors, Brown’s wisdom on leadership, vulnerability, and courage is a fantastic guide for anyone stepping into leadership roles. This is all about building strength from within to lead authentically.
Key Takeaways:
Why vulnerability is crucial to leadership and growth.
Practical ways to lead with empathy and strength.
How to navigate difficult conversations while maintaining confidence and composure.
Each of these resources offers something unique, whether it’s guidance on setting boundaries, developing resilience, or building confidence in your professional identity. By diving into a mix of books, podcasts, and videos, you’ll strengthen your skills not just as a therapist but as a leader, too. Don’t be afraid to explore, experiment, and pick up what resonates – each of these tools can help you build a career that’s fulfilling and sustainable. Here’s to growing, one page, episode, and insight at a time.
🎙 Listen to My Podcast:
Discover insights and advice tailored for counselors on Friends with (Therapy) Benefits. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
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