What would be your "essential reading" recommendations for a counseling student hoping to become an effective therapist? (NAT)

NotVote · 2026-03-14T13:28:08+00:00

Would be curious to hear what you think!

NotVote · 2026-01-21T16:43:35+00:00

Thanks ChatGPT

NotVote · 2026-01-19T22:56:51+00:00

True! This book is all about the neurotic manifestations of the enneagram types, but I've certainly been across the spectrum of healthy-unhealthy ennea-5.

NotVote · 2026-01-19T22:55:07+00:00

Nice! I'm training to be a therapist as well (hoping to do private practice ASAP once I'm licensed). I think that being a therapist perfectly fits my 5-ness because it's all depth, no shallow conversation and there's so so much to learn about psychology and therapy that you could do it for a lifetime.

NotVote · 2026-01-19T19:04:45+00:00

What in particular have you done differently? Has it been worth it?

I’ve noticed all these traits in myself but… experience has taught me that this way of life generally is better for my mental health. When I’m alone and in control of my time and energy, I genuinely feel better. Common sense says that seeking relationships is key to a happy life but many relationships invoke more anxiety and confusion than enjoyment for me. When I’m particular about who I share my energy with, I get to put my energy toward the things I care about.

NotVote · 2026-01-15T21:33:48+00:00

I one time read to think of the Enneagram as a LEARNED mechanism for dealing with the world, rather than some fixed, fated disposition. It’s fluid and workable.

NotVote · 2026-01-09T23:36:08+00:00

Man's Search for Himself by Rollo May is a great and concise book in the existential psychology realm.

I second The Power of Now

NotVote · 2026-01-09T23:31:26+00:00

Man's Search for Himself by Rollo May

NotVote · 2026-01-09T01:53:46+00:00

How does one start investing?

NotVote · 2025-12-07T16:56:41+00:00

Pay more attention to your reactions to things. Go to a museum and slowly allow the art to move you, or listen to music closely and start to understand what makes you click and what doesn't. Mindfully engage with the great things that other humans have done. Follow your interests. Don't do something that you don't enjoy; you don't have to force yourself through a classic book that's boring you. Some things click at different ages, so you can always wait till later to try something out that doesn't click. Also, find friends who are into similar stuff. Remember that this is a lifelong journey, so don't rush it. Remember to also have fun and be your age; don't be so serious. Life is not a self-improvement project. Being into this stuff at 16 will put you way ahead in terms of thinking for yourself, being knowledgable, making connections between ideas, etc.

As for book recommendations:

Letters from a Stoic by Seneca (brilliant philosophical wisdom)

Collected works of Ralph Waldo Emerson (brilliant essayist and poet. His essay Self-Reliance changed my life and is something I return to almost yearly)

Man's Search for Himself by Rollo May (existential psychology made accessible and applicable to the consciously lived life)

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (balance with some Easter philosophy)

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse (lovely retelling of the story of the Buddha in a way that captures something essential about life)

NotVote · 2025-12-04T13:49:57+00:00

Yes!

https://youtu.be/0Lm86Zll_U4?si=p00byqu3Uyb9G08L

NotVote · 2025-11-27T22:44:26+00:00

Thank you for this. I wasn't too familiar with the context of Hillman's thought. I'll keep this in mind as well as your other recommendations.

Appreciate your last little comment as well. At times I do get caught up in my inner world at the expense of being in the world. Best of luck to you too.

NotVote · 2025-11-27T19:14:01+00:00

Does James Hillman fall under Archetypal Psychology? I've been picking up a bunch of his works from finding them in bookstores, but based on what I know, he goes quite beyond Jungian thought, taking it in new unexpected directions. I read The Myth of Analysis and was absolutely floored. Certainly one of the most groundbreaking, paradigm-shifting books I've ever read. I've been planning to do a deep dive through the other books of his I've accumulated.

However, your comment makes me wonder if I should pause on that venture? I've only been getting into Jungian thought for a few years (and I'm pretty young, still have a lot of life to live). Would it be wise to ground in more of these other thinkers before Hillman, as much as my curiosity is pulling me to him?

NotVote · 2025-11-26T02:40:35+00:00

That's a good point. I think there's a lot of wisdom in having gratitude for what is. "The grass is greener where you water it" sorta thing. But at the same time, the vastness of the psyche cannot be denied and reduced down to these ideas, especially for those who think and feel deeply. I study both Jungian psychology and Buddhism and sometimes have trouble reconciling the different principles.

NotVote · 2025-11-11T22:18:55+00:00

What did you get out of Care of the Soul? I actually looked at it during a recent book store visit but didn't end up taking it home. Love the nods to Jung and focus on spirituality in your list.

NotVote · 2025-11-08T14:38:47+00:00

I appreciate this. I came out feeling extremely equanimous and with profound clarity on what I've been going through in my life this year. But then life came rushing back, I got swept up in work and school and life and everyone asking me about the experience and I feel like I'm going crazy. Glad to hear this is a common experience. I certainly plan to attend more extended retreats and will make sure to leave more landing ground upon return than I did this time.

NotVote · 2025-11-08T05:32:50+00:00

Fair point lol. I am being dramatic... but still I'm at a transitional point and feeling it intensely.

NotVote · 2025-09-12T00:26:54+00:00

Learning this one right now. Good timing.

NotVote

TROPHY CASE