Clinical Resources
Recommended Books for Families
The Screen Reset Playbook
Dr. Larry Mitnaul
Why I Recommend It: Screens have quietly reorganized family life, regardless of what else is going on in your home. The Screen Reset Playbook, by Dr. Mitnaul, is the starting framework for restoring calm, consistent leadership at home. Whatever brought you to this page, ADHD, anxiety, or something else, this is a good place to begin.
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ADHD
For Parents
Taking Charge of ADHD
Russell Barkley
Why I Recommend It: If I could recommend only one ADHD book for parents, this would probably be it. Barkley translates decades of ADHD research into practical parenting strategies that families can implement immediately.
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Your Defiant Child
Russell Barkley & Christine Benton
Why I Recommend It: Particularly helpful when ADHD is accompanied by frequent arguing, refusal, or oppositional behavior. The book provides a structured, evidence-based approach to improving cooperation while preserving the parent-child relationship.
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The ADHD Effect on Marriage
Melissa Orlov
Why I Recommend It: Parenting a child with ADHD impacts the entire family system. This book helps couples understand how ADHD affects their relationship and provides strategies for staying connected while managing the additional demands.
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For Teens
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD
Judith Tschann & Sheryl Tuchman
Why I Recommend It: Written directly for children in a way that is easy to understand and empowering. It helps kids see ADHD as a challenge to manage rather than a character flaw.
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Smart but Scattered
Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Why I Recommend It: One of the best resources for executive functioning difficulties in adolescents. It focuses on organization, planning, time management, and independence rather than simply symptom reduction.
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For Kids
What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck
Dawn Huebner
Why I Recommend It: Although often recommended for OCD, I also find it helpful for children who struggle with rigid thinking, perseveration, and getting "stuck" on thoughts. Huebner has a gift for explaining difficult concepts in a child-friendly way.
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Anxiety
For Parents
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD
Eli Lebowitz & Haim Omer
Why I Recommend It: Introduces the SPACE approach, which helps parents reduce accommodations that unintentionally reinforce anxiety. I especially appreciate that it gives parents meaningful tools even when a child is reluctant to participate in treatment.
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Helping Your Anxious Child
Ronald Rapee et al.
Why I Recommend It: A practical, CBT-based guide that teaches parents how to help children face fears gradually and build resilience. The strategies are well supported by research and easy to implement.
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For Teens
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens
Lisa M. Schab
Why I Recommend It: A highly accessible workbook that teaches CBT skills in a format teens can use independently or alongside therapy. Many adolescents appreciate its practical exercises and straightforward style.
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Mind Over Mood
Dennis Greenberger & Christine A. Padesky
Why I Recommend It: One of the classic CBT workbooks. Although written for older teens and adults, it remains one of the best introductions to understanding how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact.
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For Kids
What to Do When You Worry Too Much
Dawn Huebner
Why I Recommend It: One of my most frequently recommended books for elementary-aged children with anxiety. It provides concrete coping skills while helping children understand what anxiety is and how to manage it.
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Coping Cat Workbook
Philip C. Kendall
Why I Recommend It: Based on one of the most extensively researched anxiety treatments for children. It teaches practical coping skills while encouraging children to gradually face feared situations.
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OCD
For Parents
Talking Back to OCD
Behary & Grayson
Why I Recommend It: A classic introduction to exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. The "talking back" framework helps children externalize OCD and develop confidence in resisting compulsions.
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Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Tamar Chansky
Why I Recommend It: A thoughtful and approachable guide for parents trying to understand OCD and support treatment at home. Particularly helpful for families new to an OCD diagnosis.
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For Teens
The OCD Workbook for Teens
Aureen Pinto Wagner
Why I Recommend It: Provides practical ERP-based strategies in a teen-friendly format. I appreciate its emphasis on learning to tolerate uncertainty rather than seeking reassurance.
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For Kids
What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck
Dawn Huebner
Why I Recommend It: Although often recommended for OCD, I also find it helpful for children who struggle with rigid thinking, perseveration, and getting "stuck" on thoughts. Huebner has a gift for explaining difficult concepts in a child-friendly way.
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Therapy Resource
SPACE for Childhood OCD
Eli Lebowitz et al.
Why I Recommend It: Especially valuable when OCD has become deeply woven into family routines. The book teaches parents how to support recovery while reducing accommodations that unintentionally strengthen OCD.
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Depression
For Parents
Helping Your Depressed Teenager
Gerald D. Oster & Sarah S. Montgomery
Why I Recommend It: Offers parents practical guidance for supporting a struggling adolescent while maintaining communication and connection. It balances empathy with realistic expectations.
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For Teens
The Depression Workbook for Teens
Lisa M. Schab
Why I Recommend It: A structured workbook that helps teens recognize depressive thinking patterns and develop healthier coping strategies. It works well as a supplement to therapy.
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Mind Over Mood
Dennis Greenberger & Christine A. Padesky
Why I Recommend It: One of the classic CBT workbooks. Although written for older teens and adults, it remains one of the best introductions to understanding how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact.
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For Kids
Autism Spectrum Disorder
For Parents
Uniquely Human
Barry M. Prizant
Why I Recommend It: One of the most compassionate and insightful books written about autism. Rather than focusing solely on deficits, it helps parents understand behaviors as meaningful attempts to communicate and cope.
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An Early Start for Your Child with Autism
Sally Rogers et al.
Why I Recommend It: An excellent resource for parents of younger children. The book provides evidence-based strategies that can be incorporated into everyday interactions and routines.
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For Teens
The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Elizabeth Verdick & Elizabeth Reeve
Why I Recommend It: Written directly for children, this book helps explain autism and offers practical strategies for navigating common challenges. Many children appreciate seeing their experiences reflected in its pages.
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For Kids
All My Stripes
Shonda Moralis
Why I Recommend It: A wonderful storybook for younger children that highlights both challenges and strengths associated with autism. It encourages self-understanding and self-acceptance.
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Emotional Regulation & Explosive Behavior
For Parents
The Explosive Child
Ross W. Greene
Why I Recommend It: One of the most influential books I have encountered in understanding chronic frustration, emotional dysregulation, and challenging behavior. Greene's framework encourages parents to identify lagging skills and solve problems collaboratively rather than relying solely on consequences.
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Raising Human Beings
Ross W. Greene
Why I Recommend It: Expands Greene's collaborative approach beyond explosive behavior and into everyday parenting. The emphasis on relationship, communication, and problem-solving makes it valuable for many families.
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For Teens
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Teens
Sheri Van Dijk
Why I Recommend It: A practical introduction to DBT skills including emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Particularly useful for teens who experience intense emotions or interpersonal conflict.
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For Kids
What to Do When Your Temper Flares
Dawn Huebner
Why I Recommend It: A child-friendly workbook that teaches younger children how to recognize escalating emotions and use concrete strategies to regain control. Parents often find the exercises easy to practice at home.
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Sleep Issues / Insomnia
For Kids
What to Do When You Dread Your Bed, 2nd Edition
Dawn Huebner
Why I Recommend It: This is one of my favorite resources for children who are fearful at bedtime, need a parent present to fall asleep, or struggle with worries that seem to come alive after dark. Huebner's approach helps children develop confidence, coping skills, and healthier sleep habits without turning bedtime into a nightly battle.
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Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All book recommendations are made because I genuinely believe they offer value to families.
Ready to go deeper?
Summer is a natural time for families to slow down and engage in deeper learning about what your child needs. These resources are curated to meet you wherever you are in the journey.
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