Recommended Counseling Resources sorted by topic
In accordance with House Bill 4224, clients can find resources concerning licensing board information, access to client records, and filing a complaint below. For your convenience, we've also included a counselor directory of Christian counselors in the state of Texas, as well as a fact sheet for consumers.
Counselor Directories, Client Rights, and Legal Resources
Christian Counselor Directories:
Looking for a Christian counselor in another city in Texas or a counselor in the Austin area with a particular specialization? Here are links to a couple counselor directories that may assist you. We want you find the counselor who is just right for your needs!Documents and Downloads:Client Rights:
Looking for a Christian counselor in another city in Texas or a counselor in the Austin area with a particular specialization? Here are links to a couple counselor directories that may assist you. We want you find the counselor who is just right for your needs!Documents and Downloads:Client Rights:
- Licensing Board Information: Counselors at ALCS are licensed through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). If you would like to contact BHEC, you can visit: https://www.bhec.texas.gov
- Access to Your Records: To request records, please contact admin@abundantlifecounseling.com. Requests will be processed in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
- Filing a Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. To submit a complaint, visit the Office of Attorney General's Consumer Protection page.
While by no means an exhaustive list, we have compiled some resources that have proven helpful to the therapists at ALCS, either in our practice, or in our personal experience. We will be adding to this list from time to time, but if you are seeking help in the areas below, here are some articles, videos, books, links, apps, or software that we recommend.
Resources for Parents
Explore recommended Christian resources to support you in your parenting journey. These books and tools offer faith-based guidance for raising children with love, discipline, and biblical principles. Find the help you need to navigate the challenges of parenting.
Resources for Parenting (General):
Resources for Parenting Adopted Children:
Resources for Parenting After Divorce:
Resources for Educating Teens about Pornography and Premarital Sex:
Resources for Parenting (General):
- The Whole-Brain Child, by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., ISBN#: 978-0-553-38669-1
- No-Drama Discipline, by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., ISBN#: 978-0-345-54804-7
- Parenting with Love & Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility, by Foster Cline, M.D. & Jim Fay, ISBN 1-57683-954-0
- Loving Our Kids on Purpose: Making a Heart-to-Heart Connection, by Danny Silk, ISBN 13: 978-0-7684-2739-8
- Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World: Seven Building Blocks for Developing Capable Young People, by H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelsen Ed.D., ISBN-13: 978-0761511281
- Parenting Young Children: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting of Children Under Six, by Don Dinkmeyer Sr., Gary D. McKay, James S. Dinkmeyer, Don Dinkmeyer Jr., and Joyce L. McKay, ISBN-13: 978-0979554230
- Parenting Teenagers: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting of Teens, by by Don C. Dinkmeyer Sr., Gary D. McKay, Joyce L. McKay, and Don Dinkmeyer, Jr., ISBN-13: 978-0979554216
- The Parent's Handbook: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (Step: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting), by Don C. Dinkmeyer Sr., Gary D. McKay, and Don Dinkmeyer, Jr. ISBN-13: 978-0785411888
Resources for Parenting Adopted Children:
- The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family, by Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., David R. Cross, Ph.D., and Wendy Lyons Sunshine, ISBN-13: 978-0-07-147500-6
Resources for Parenting After Divorce:
- The Co-Parenting Survival Guide: Letting Go of Conflict after a Difficult Divorce, by Elizabeth S. Thayer, Ph.D. & Jeffrey Zimmerman, Ph.D., ISBN-13: 978-1572242456
Resources for Educating Teens about Pornography and Premarital Sex:
- Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Gail Poyner and Kristen A. Jenson, ISBN-13: 978-0615927336
- Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children, by Joe S. McIlhaney Jr. and Freda McKissic Bush, ISBN-13: 978-0802450609
Resources for Pornography and Sexual Addiction
These Christian resources offer guidance and support for overcoming pornography addiction. Explore our recommended books and tools to help individuals and couples break free from the cycle of pornography and pursue healing and purity in their lives.
- Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability Service
- Don't Call It Love: Recovery From Sexual Addiction, by Patrick Carnes, ISBN-13:978-0553351385
- Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction, by Patrick J Carnes Ph.D, ISBN-13:978-1568386218
- Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction, by Mark Laaser, ISBN-13:978-0310256571
- The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography, by Wendy Maltz and Larry Maltz, ISBN-13:978-0061231872
- False Intimacy: Understanding the Struggle of Sexual Addiction, by Harry Schaumburg, ISBN-13:978-1576830284
- Facing the Shadow: Starting Sexual and Relationship Recovery, by Patrick Carnes, ISBN-13:978-0985063375
- Shadows of the Cross: A Christian Companion to Facing the Shadow, by Craig Cashwell, Pennie Johnson, & Patrick Carnes, ISBN-13:978-0985063351
- L.I.F.E. Guide for Men: A Workbook for Men Seeking Freedom from Sexual Addiction, by Dr. Mark Laaser, ISBN: 978-0-9816796-7-9
- A L.I.F.E. Recovery Guide for Women: A Workbook for Women Seeking Recovery from Sexual Addiction by Marnie C. Ferree
- L.I.F.E. Recovery Guide for Spouses, by Melissa Haas, ISBN-13:978-0981679617
- Freedom Begins Here (Devotional Journal), by Pat Springle, ISBN-13:978-0980145106
Resources for Anxiety and OCD
These resources provide valuable insights and tools for managing depression and anxiety from a Christian perspective. Explore our recommended books and materials designed to support mental health, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth during challenging times.
Resources for Anxiety:
Resources for OCD:
Resources for Anxiety:
- Abide: App for Christian scriptual meditation and prayer
- Headspace: App for practicing mindfulness through guided meditation
Resources for OCD:
- The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy, ISBN-13: 978-1-60882-878-4
Resources for Spiritual and Emotional Growth
Explore resources designed to foster spiritual and emotional growth. These books offer Christian perspectives on personal healing, identity, and living fully as God intended. Discover tools for becoming mature image bearers of God and reclaiming your heart’s true design.
- Changes That Heal, by Henry Cloud, ISBN-13: 978-0310606314
- Wild at Heart Revised and Updated: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul, by John Eldredge, ISBN-13: 978-1400200399
- Captivating Revised and Updated: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul, by John Eldredge and Stasi Eldredge, ISBN-13: 978-1400200382
- Strong Women, Soft Hearts: A Woman's Guide to Cultivating a Wise Heart and a Passionate Life, by Paula Rinehart, ISBN-13: 978-0849909979
Resources for Relationships
Explore these resources to help you build strong, healthy relationships with more connection and vulnerability.
- The Power of Vulnerability, Brené Brown (TED Talk), 2010
- Help from a Vulnerability Researcher, Brené Brown
- Are You Mad at Me?: How to Stop Focusing on What Others Think and Start Living for You, Meg Josephson
Resources for Marriages
Explore our recommended Christian resources for strengthening marriages. These books and tools offer guidance on communication, conflict resolution, intimacy, and building a lasting, faith-based relationship. Find the support you need to grow together as a couple.
Resources for Marriages (General):
Resources for Sexual Issues:
Resources for Affair Recovery:
Resources for Marriages (General):
- Intimate Encounters: A Practical Guide to Discovering the Secrets of a Really Great Marriage, by David Ferguson, ISBN-13: 978-0964284579
- Created for Connection: The "Hold Me Tight" Guide for Christian Couples, by Sue Johnson and Kenneth Sanderfer, ISBN-13: 978-0316307413
- Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help YouFind - and Keep - Love, by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller, ISBN-13: 978-1585429134
- The Complete Guide to Living with Men, by E. James Wilder, ISBN-13: 978-0967435756
- The Emotionally Destructive Relationship: Seeing It, Stopping It, Surviving It, by Leslie Vernick, ISBN-13: 978-0736918978
- The Emotionally Destructive Marriage: How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope, by Leslie Vernick, ISBN-13: 978-0307731180
- The Divorce Remedy: The Proven 7-Step Program for Saving Your Marriage Paperback, by Michele Weiner Davis, ISBN-13: 978-0684873251
Resources for Sexual Issues:
- A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy, by Douglas E. Rosenau, ISBN-13: 978-0785264675
- The Way to Love Your Wife: Creating Greater Love and Passion in the Bedroom, by Clifford L. Penner and Joyce J. Penner, ISBN-13: 978-1589974456
- Enjoy!: The Gift of Sexual Pleasure for Women, by Joyce J. Penner and Clifford L. Penner, ISBN-13: 978-1589978027
- Restoring the Pleasure, by Clifford L. Penner and Joyce J. Penner, ISBN-13: 978-0718077556
- 52 Ways To Have Fun, Fantastic Sex - A Guidebook For Married Couples, by Joyce J. Penner and Clifford L. Penner, ISBN-13: 978-0840734846
- The Gift of Sex: A Guide to Sexual Fulfillment, by Clifford Penner and Joyce J. Penner, ISBN-13: 978-0849944154
- When Two Become One: Enhancing Sexual Intimacy in Marriage, by Christopher McCluskey and Rachel McCluskey, ISBN-13: 978-0800731151
- Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage, by Tim Alan Gardner, ISBN-13: 978-0739426975
- Intimate Issues: Twenty-One Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex, by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus, ISBN-13: 978-0307444943
- When Sex Hurts: A Woman's Guide to Banishing Sexual Pain, by Andrew Goldstein, Caroline Pukall, and Irwin Goldstein, ISBN-13: 978-0738213989
- Coping With Premature Ejaculation: How to Overcome PE, Please Your Partner & Have Great Sex, by Barry W. McCarthy and Michael E. Metz, ISBN-13: 978-1572243408
- Coping with Erectile Dysfunction: How to Regain Confidence and Enjoy Great Sex, by Barry W. McCarthy and Michael E. Metz, ISBN-13: 978-1572243866
- Completely Overcome Vaginismus, The Practical Approach to Pain-Free Intercourse, Book 1 and Book 2 (Personal Journal & Workbook), by Mark & Lisa Carter, ISBN-13: 978-0973572803
Resources for Affair Recovery:
- Torn Asunder: Recovering From an Extramarital Affair, by Dr. Dave Carder and Duncan Jaenicke, ISBN-13: 978-0802471352
- Torn Asunder Workbook: Recovering From an Extramarital Affair, by Dave M. Carder and Duncan Jaenicke, ISBN-13: 978-0802471369
- Shattered Vows: Hope and Healing for Women Who Have Been Sexually Betrayed, by Debra Laaser, ISBN-13: 978-0310273943
- Not "Just Friends": Rebuilding Trust and Recovering Your Sanity After Infidelity, by Shirley P. Glass Ph.D. with Jean Coppock Staeheli, ISBN-13: 978-0743225502
Resources for Dating and Sexual Purity
Below are recommended resources to support dating and maintaining sexual purity from a Christian perspective. These books and tools are designed to help individuals and couples develop healthy relationships and honor their faith in their dating journey.
Resources for Dating:
Resources for Sexual Purity:
Resources for Dating:
- Love Factually: 10 Proven Steps from I Wish to I Do, by Duana Welch, ISBN-13: 978-0986333200
Resources for Sexual Purity:
- Soul Virgins: Redefining Single Sexuality, by Doug Rosenau and Michael Todd Wilson, ISBN-13: 978-0985810719
- Sex and the Soul of a Woman: The Reality of Love and Romance in an Age of Casual Sex, by Paula Rinehart, ISBN-13: 978-0310252207
- Sex and the Soul of a Woman: How God Restores the Beauty of Relationship from the Pain of Regret, by Paula Rinehart, ISBN-13: 978-0310329893
- Freedom Begins Here (Devotional Journal), by Pat Springle, ISBN-13: 978-0980145106
Resources for Same-Sex Attraction and Gender Dysphoria
These Christian resources provide support and guidance for individuals navigating same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria. Explore our recommended books and tools that offer a faith-based approach to understanding identity, healing, and spiritual growth.
- Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends, by Mark A Yarhouse, ISBN-13: 978-0764207310
- Understanding Sexual Identity: A Resource for Youth Ministry Paperback, by Mark A. Yarhouse, ISBN-13: 978-0310516187
- Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture, by Mark A. Yarhouse, ISBN-13: 978-0830828593
Resources for Trauma
These recommended resources provide valuable insights and tools for processing and healing from trauma. Trusted by the counselors at Abundant Life Counseling, these books are highly regarded for their ability to educate individuals navigating the effects of trauma and beginning the journey to recovery.
- Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy, by Francine Shapiro, PhD, ISBN-13:978-1609619954
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessel van der Kolk M.D., ISBN-13:978-0143127741
Resources for Self Harm
These resources provide Christian-based support for individuals struggling with self-harm. Explore our recommended books and tools designed to offer healing, hope, and guidance from a faith-based perspective on recovery and emotional health.
- Inside a Cutter's Mind: Understanding and Helping Those Who Self-Injure, by Jerusha Clark and Earl R. Henslin, ISBN-13: 978-1600060540
Resources for Sexual Abuse
These Christian resources provide support and healing for survivors of sexual abuse. Explore our recommended books and tools that offer faith-based guidance for emotional recovery, trauma healing, and restoring hope.
- The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse, by Dan Allender, ISBN-13: 978-1600063077
- Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault, by Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb, ISBN-13: 978-1433515989
- The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, 3rd Edition, by Wendy Maltz, ISBN-13: 978-0062130730
Resources for Grief and Loss
These resources offer Christian-based support for those experiencing grief and loss. Explore our recommended books and tools to help navigate the emotional, spiritual, and practical aspects of mourning, offering comfort and healing during difficult times.
- Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy, by Dr. Larry Crabb, ISBN-13: 978-0307459503
- A Grief Observed, by C.S. Lewis
- Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss, by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen, illustrated by Taylor Bills, ISBN-13: 978-0961519766 (good for children)