At Kaafi Counseling, we strongly believe in the power of sharing resources and books. In the spirit of ‘each one, teach one’, we are publishing our 2nd edition of the the “Resource Roundup” series. We are continuing with the tradition of the series where we share some of the books that support us both personally and professionally. 

For this second edition of Resource Roundup, we are sharing four favorite books recommended by our self described “bookworm” and Clinical Director, Dr. Fartun Mohamud. Check out your local library for a copy of these books!

Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Clinical Work: Practicing Internationally with Marginalized Communities by Frantz Fanon

Frantz Fanon is essential reading across many subjects. The Martiniquan psychiatrist provides crucial insight into the international experience of blackness. This book gives clinical guidance and scaffolding for important work. Van Der Kolk is a leading researcher in trauma and his expertise is clear throughout this rich and sometimes intense read. 

Lost Connections:Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions by Johann Hari

This unique book details diverse causes for depression and anxiety and offers hope for their repair. Lost Connections is an exciting read for anyone. 

I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real

This book – a bestseller for decades, can help provide understanding about the experiences of men, for people of any gender. Compassionate and detailed, I Don’t Want to Talk About It is a powerful account of how many of the traits we associate with ‘manliness’ are really attempts to move through depression and sadness.

In our 1st edition of the Resource Round Up, we shared the Love Series by bell hooks. We are saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved bell hooks. To pay tribute to the life and work of this prolific writer and a national icon, we would like to revisit and reshare the Love Series by bell hooks which consists of the following books:

1. All About Love; New Visions,
2. The WIll to Change; Men Masculinity and Love,
3. Salvation; Black People and Love;
4. Communion: The Female Search for Love. 

And, whoa! we cannot stress enough what a powerful series this is. Each book contains insight that can feel affirming and sometimes shattering. bell hooks wrote about social theory in a way that is accessible and enjoyable, these books can easily be beach reads despite their profundity. 

And now a note from Dr. Mohamud –

I love reading and I believe in the power of knowledge and education.  However, sometimes, due to lack of inclusion of diverse voices, there is the consequence of miseducation.  Therefore, I encourage and applaud everyone, and especially my fellow therapists, who continuously expand their reading resources thereby expanding their perspectives and enhancing their abilities to connect and deeply attune to their clients’ worldview and needs.  Here is a list from goodreads library of books that focus on psychology from African American perspective and another list from Bingham University library that focuses on diverse perspective.

We hope you find these resources/books enlightening and illuminating as we did. Stay tuned for more to come for our next Resource Roundup!