Book recommendations   Trauma “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences” by Peter Levine, 1995 Levine’s first book is a classic and carries the spirit of a new discovery. Why are animals rarely traumatized even though they face death threats almost every day? Levine draws parallels to the human nervous system and what that means for trauma healing. Order here “In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness” by Peter Levine, 2010. Levine explains the SE approach using interesting examples from his practice. The book blends elegantly the latest findings in biology, neuroscience and body-oriented psychotherapy. Order here “Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Working with Traumatic Memory” by Peter Levine, 2015. A book about newer research on the topics of trauma and memory functions. Levine discusses the question if we can trust our memories and explains how the implicit memory plays a central role in trauma. Very interesting book, not dry at all. Order here “Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body” by Peter Levine, 2008. A practical step-by-step guide for trauma recovery through your body. Includes a CD with many useful exercises. Order here “Sexual Healing: Transforming the Sacred Wound” by Peter Levine (audio CD). Healing from sexual abuse is difficult. This audio recording, spoken by Peter Levine, provides research about the topic, understanding the signs of sexual trauma, along with gentle exercises to help reconnect with your body and recover your ability to experience pleasure and joy. Order here “Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A guide and map for recovering from childhood trauma.” by Pete Walker, 2013. Walker explains complex PTSD from his own perspective as being affected by it. Learn how to identify concepts like emotional flashbacks, fight, flight and freeze reactions and much more in this wisdom-packed book of over 300 pages. Order here “Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism” by Stanley Rosenberg, 2017. This practical guide understands the cranial nerves as the key to our psychological and physical well-being. Building on Porges’s Polyvagal Theory, the book looks at different mental illnesses through the lense of the nervous system and provides easy exercises for self-regulation. Order here “Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices” by Deb Dana Deb Dana introduces a practical approach of how to translate the findings of the polyvagal theory into exercises. Eventhough originally designed for therapists, this book can also be used by anyone interested in the topic. Order here High sensitivity (HSP) All books by Elaine Aron, like “The highly sensitive person” Order here “Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person: Improving Outcomes for That Minority of People Who Are the Majority of Clients” by Elaine N. Aron Order here “Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person” by Barrie Jaeger Order here NARM - neuro-affective relational model Laurence Heller: “Healing developmental trauma - How Early Trauma Affects Self- Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship” Revised & extended edition “Befreiung von Scham und Schuld - alte Überlebensstrategien auflösen und Lebenskraft gewinnen” by Laurence Heller & Angelika Doerne Excellent new book (only available in German), expands on NARM therapy, the 5 survival styles and provides many real life examples for types of developmental trauma and how they can heal. Order here Autism spectrum / Asperger-Syndrome Tony Attwood: "The Complete Guide to Asperger-Syndrome” or any other book by Tony Attwood about the topic. World reknown Autism specialist Attwood covers the most important topics - also great to just look up specific information about a topic. Order book  Rudy Simone: “Asperger’s on the job: Must- Have Advice for People with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism, and Their Employers, Educators, and Advocates” Simone addresses crucial aspects of difficult work situations for Asperger’s and offers valuable tips for affected persons and employers. Order book Susan Moreno: “The Partner's Guide to Asperger Syndrome” The valuable information and tools in this book will help partners better understand each other, respect each other’s differences and sustain long lasting relationships. Order book Philip Wylie: “Very late diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome - how seeking a diagnosis in adulthood can change your life” Wylie discusses different aspects in the context of a very late diagnosis. Order book Rudy Simone: “Aspergirls - Empowering females with Aspger Syndrome” Simone describes how her experience as an autistic female differs from male experiences & offers ideas on how to deal with it. Order book Lisa Morgan & Mary Donahue: “Living with PTSD on the Autism Spectrum: Insightful Analysis With Practical Applications” This cooperation between an autistic patient and her therapist illuminates important aspects of being traumatized & on the spectrum. Not very systematically, but with first-hand experience examples. Order book Gordon Gates: “Trauma, Stigma, and Autism Developing Resilience and Loosening the Grip of Shame” Gates combines extensive research with his own experiences as an person with ASD. He focuses on aspects of shame of being different, on stigma and the pain associated with being excluded.  Order book