Relationship Books for Couples Therapy

Reading List

Already Free by Bruce Tift

I’ve read this book at least a dozen times. It taught me:

  • Why it’s normal to feel distress in marriage

  • What it means to accept myself as I am

  • How my childhood affects my marriage

Living at the Bottom of the Ocean by David Schnarch

This book taught me:

  • Why my brain doesn’t work very well when I’m in conflict with my wife

  • How to bring more calm energy into my home

  • How to use written dialogues to heal my brain

Living at the Bottom of the Ocean is offered as a free PDF download, get it here.

Passionate Marriage by David Schnarch

This book taught me:

  • How I was contributing to problems in my marriage

  • How I have power to change my marriage unilaterally

  • What it means to really care about someone

Intimacy and Desire by David Schnarch

This book taught me:

  • Why sexual desire problems are a normal

  • How sexual desire problems can lead to personal growth

Brain Talk by David Schnarch

This book taught me:

  • What happens when you mask your mind from your partner

  • How childhood trauma affects marriage

  • Why we are so often blind to the worst parts of our parents