The best self-help books of all time, according to therapists

In a world where self-help books flood the market—more than 15,000 titles published annually—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice claiming to be the “best” or “only” way to transform your life. With so many options available, separating truly meaningful guidance from superficial fluff can seem like an impossible task. Where do you even begin?

To simplify your search, we turned to trusted experts: therapists. Drawing on their professional insights and personal experiences, we’ve curated a list of standout self-improvement books, including recommendations from our own Thriveworks clinicians.

These titles aren’t just memorable but have proven to be truly transformative for those who read them. Explore the list below, and you might find your next inspiring read for personal growth.

1. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers (1987)

This was the very first self-help book I ever read. It reminds you that fear is normal—anything worth doing should make you nervous. When you let fear hold you back from pursuing something that brings meaning or fulfillment to your life, that’s when it becomes a problem. This book always psyches me up to do hard things. 

– Dr. Dana McNeil, Licensed Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist 

Susan Jeffers’ Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway is available from publisher Ballantine Books.

2. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown (2010)

This book beautifully examines how embracing vulnerability and imperfection can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life. Brené Brown’s relatable storytelling, insightful research, and practical guidance inspire readers to let go of perfectionism and embrace their true selves, fostering self-compassion and resilience. Her powerful message resonates deeply in today’s society.

– Monica Cwynar, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Thriveworks

Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection is available from publisher Hazelden Publishing.

3. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb (2019)

As a psychotherapist, this book’s honest portrayal of the therapeutic process from both sides—the therapist’s and the client’s—resonates deeply with me. It not only highlights the transformative power of therapy, but also normalizes the universal nature of emotional challenges, making the therapeutic journey feel accessible and relatable to everyone. 

Lori Gottlieb humanizes therapists, beautifully demonstrating how we navigate personal struggles and emotional complexities, just like our clients. It reminds me, as both a therapist and an individual, of the importance of embracing imperfection and the immense courage it takes to seek help and support.

– Alyssa Scolari, Licensed Professional Counselor

 Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is available from publisher HarperCollins.

4. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (1946)

I come back to this book every year, in each season of my life, because I feel like I see things in a different way and can apply the core essence of the book differently each time. Its central premise is that life can throw anything at you and at your core as a human being, you still have a choice of how you meet those things. This book is a constant reminder to me that, come good things or very difficult things, I still have a choice in that singular moment of how I will show up. 

– Dr. Jenny Wang, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist  

Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is available from publisher Beacon Press.

5. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson (2016)

This is an easy read and extremely relatable for anyone, as it touches on a lot of key points about why it’s important to focus on what’s in your control and what really matters. 

– Jaclyn Bencivenga, Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Thriveworks

Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is available from publisher HarperCollins.

6. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (2024)

For a lot of my teen and adult clients, this is such a helpful book, tool, and mindset that encourages them to break an exhausting cycle of trying to find perfection. I think it’s a great guide on how to stop letting others’ opinions and judgment affect one’s life. 

– Hallie Kritsas , Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Thriveworks

Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory is available from publisher Hay House, LLC.

7. Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, MSW (2019)

This is a great resource for any new moms, as well as fathers and loved ones of new parents. While the general stigma around mental health has gone down, I find that many new parents still feel a lot of shame when struggling with postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and/or general overwhelm. This book is a great resource to directly combat that shame while also providing useful and practical knowledge. It’s very digestible, with a mix of graphics and short chapters, and it does an incredible job validating and normalizing the overwhelm of motherhood. 

– Madeline Weinfeld Shill, Licensed Clinical Social Worker 

Karen Kleiman’s Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts is available from publisher Familius.

8. Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Sue Johnson (2008)

Hold Me Tight stands out because it offers a profound understanding of how attachment plays a pivotal role in our relationships. The book provides practical tools for building deeper emotional connections with our partners, helping us navigate challenges with empathy and understanding. It’s not just about improving communication; it’s about fostering secure, lasting bonds. 

– Jacob Glose, Licensed Professional Counselor at Thriveworks

Sue Johnson’s Hold Me Tight is available from publisher Little, Brown Spark.

9. Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender by David R. Hawkins (2012)

This book helps readers move past burdens and emotional blocks by deepening their understanding of their feelings. By fully feeling our emotions, rather than resisting or repressing them, we unlock the path to mental and spiritual freedom. In letting go, we release what no longer serves us, belongs to us, or helps us grow. We can find personal liberation by surrendering all that once was but is no longer meant to be. 

– Dr. Elisabeth Crain, Psychotherapist

David Hawkins’ Letting Go is available from publisher Hay House, LLC.

10. Adult Children of Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson (2015)

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone navigating complex relationships with their parents. It offers psychology-based insights into various child-parent dynamics, presented in an accessible and reader-friendly way. My favorite part is that it includes practical exercises and action steps, helping readers reflect on their experiences and address current challenges rooted in parental relationships.

– Sydney Gomez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Thriveworks

Lindsay Gibson’s Adult Children of Immature Parents is available from publisher New Harbinger Publications.

11. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk (2014)

This is a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand themselves or others affected by trauma. It’s not just another self-help book—it blends neuroscience, psychology, and real-life stories to explain how trauma impacts the brain and body. It also offers powerful practical approaches to healing beyond traditional talk therapy, such as mindfulness, EMDR, and somatic therapies. 

– Arlie Rogers, Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist at Thriveworks

Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

12. Stop the Fight! How to Break Free from the 12 Most Common Arguments and Build a Relationship That Lasts by Michelle Brody (2015)

While this book is aimed at couples, the content is easily relatable and transferable to all of our relationships. The combined use of text and images is helpful, and I found it to be written in a way that’s easy to understand, relate to, and apply. 

– Brandy Smith, Ph.D., Psychologist at Thriveworks

Michelle Brody’s Stop the Fight! is available from publisher The Experiment.

13. I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One by Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair (2000)

I recommend this both professionally and personally, because it offers a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to sudden loss. As a therapist, I see how it validates the complexities of grief and provides practical coping strategies that help clients feel less alone in their experience. 

Having managed several losses myself, I appreciate how the book puts words to emotions that can feel impossible to express. It reinforces the reality that grief isn’t something to be “gotten over,” but rather an adjustment to a new normal. It acknowledges that loss changes us, and instead of trying to force closure, it helps guide readers toward integrating their grief into their lives in a way that honors both their pain and their healing. 

– Caitlin Opland, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Thriveworks

Brook Noel and Pamela Blair’s I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye is available from publisher Sourcebooks.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson (2018)

12 Rules for Life stands out because it blends practical advice with deep psychological and philosophical insights. It encourages personal responsibility, discipline, and meaningful action—things that are often overlooked in more modern self-help. The book doesn’t just offer feel-good motivation; it challenges readers to confront the harder truths about life and themselves, which can lead to real, lasting growth. 

– Blaine Stephens, Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor at Thriveworks

Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life is available from publisher Random House Canada.

13. Self-Compassion Daily Journal by Diana Hill, Ph.D. (2024)

I use this book myself! It offers thought-provoking writing prompts and exercises that encourage you, as the reader, to be more accepting of yourself and less self-critical. You learn to accept negative feelings like anxiety, anger, and shame while treating yourself with kindness. I also like that this book is based on an evidence-based therapy called acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

– Lori Davis, Psychologist and Clinical Instructor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College 

Diana Hill’s Self-Compassion Daily Journal is available from publisher New Harbinger Publications.

14. Learning How to Heal a Broken Heart: Transforming Breakdowns into Breakthroughs by Marvin Scholz (2019)

This is one of the best self-help books I have ever come across. Everyone has had their heart broken in some way, shape, or form. Whether it’s romantic love, friendship love, or family love, we all will experience disappointment and heartbreak. This book details how to deal with it using real-world terms and a logical step-by-step format. 

– Christina Roy, Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor at Thriveworks

Marvin Scholz’s Learning How to Heal a Broken Heart is available to purchase here. 

15. What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo (2022)

This is an incredible memoir about healing from complex trauma. Stephanie Foo’s account is honest and vulnerable and can help others who have experienced complex trauma normalize their struggles and become self-compassionate. 

– Saba Harouni Lurie, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist 

Stephanie Foo’s What My Bones Know is available from publisher Ballatine Books.

16. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay (1984)

This book dives into the connection between the mind and body, as well as the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Louise Hay conveys a powerful message of self-love and acceptance and shows readers how what they believe about themselves becomes truth, rather than the other way around. I find the holistic approach to be so helpful and accurate, and I like that this book offers tangible tools and examples that someone can begin using right away. 

– Rebecca Marcus, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life is available from publisher Hay House, LLC.

17. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom (1997)

Tuesdays with Morrie is one of my all-time favorite books. It isn’t necessarily a self-help book, but it puts life as a whole into perspective. Every time I read it, I get new insights into life and how I want my life to be.

– Nona Kelly, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Thriveworks

Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie is available from publisher The Crown Publishing Group.

18. No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Dick Schwartz (2021)

Internal family systems (IFS) is a life-changing modality. This book, while dense, thoughtfully guides you through exercises to uncover the parts of yourself that influence your behaviors or hold onto inaccurate beliefs—and helps you align them with your goals. It may feel contradictory to accept the parts of you that seem to work against your interests, but resisting them doesn’t lead to healing. Instead, getting to know these parts and learning to befriend them is a crucial step toward self-acceptance and growth. It’s mind-blowing stuff that has profoundly impacted both my daily life and the clinical work I do.

– Kate Hanselman, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Lead Nurse Practitioner at Thriveworks 

Dick Schwartz’s No Bad Parts is available from publisher Sounds True.

19. Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey (2023)

This book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to create a more meaningful and purposeful life. Arthur Brooks offers practical strategies for finding happiness and fulfillment, emphasizing that building the life you want is within reach, if you’re willing to take actionable steps. 

– Monica Cwynar, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Thriveworks

Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey’s Building the Life You Want is available from publisher Portfolio.

20. When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Howard Kushner (2004)

I discovered this book during one of the hardest times in my life—a period when I felt completely alone, carrying a pain I thought no one could understand. This book serves as a powerful reminder that community is what helps us navigate life’s toughest moments. It gives us the strength to make sense of the world and find the motivation to keep moving forward. When life feels overwhelming, leaning on your community is essential.

– Dr. Dana McNeil, Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 

Howard Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

21. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (2008)

In this book, Randy Pausch explores the importance of following your dreams, working through challenges, and seizing the moments life gives you. It constantly reminds me how to juggle dreams, work, and family in a meaningful way and has helped me stay grounded in what’s important. I’ve read this at least five or six times, and it hits differently each time, especially since becoming a parent.

– Eli Weinstein, Licensed Clinical Social Worker  

Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture is available from publisher Hachette Book Group.

22. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab (2021)

This book has been a great resource. It breaks down the importance of boundaries in a way that anyone can really relate to. I use it for myself and in therapy to support clients who have difficulty setting boundaries where needed. 

– Tori-Lyn Mills, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at Thriveworks

Nedra Glover Tawwab’s Set Boundaries, Find Peace is available from publisher TarcherPerigee.

23. The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell (2015)

This book challenges the idea that traveling the world can cure anxiety or sadness. Instead, Helen Russell reveals that true happiness lies in embracing safety, trust, and connection through discovery, creativity, and community.

– Kit Morgan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Helen Russell’s The Year of Living Danishly is available from publisher Icon Books.

24. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer (2007)

This book strips away all the fluff and forces you to look at how much of your suffering is self-created. It’s not about hacks or quick fixes—it’s about real freedom, which only comes when you stop believing every thought in your head. 

– Vasavi Kumar, MEd, Licensed Master Social Worker and author of Say It Out Loud 

Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul is available from publisher New Harbinger Books.