February's Featured Book:
​
Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life
​by Emily Nagoski Ph.D

Saturday, Feb 19th - 11am Pacific

What To Expect From the Read:

An essential exploration of why and how women’s sexuality works—based on groundbreaking research and brain science—that will radically transform your sex life into one filled with confidence and joy.

Researchers have spent the last decade trying to develop a “pink pill” for women to function like Viagra does for men. So where is it? Well, for reasons this book makes crystal clear, that pill will never be the answer—but as a result of the research that’s gone into it, scientists in the last few years have learned more about how women’s sexuality works than we ever thought possible, and Come as You Are explains it all.
About Your Host: Marissa Hartel
Marissa’s background and experiences have prepared her to work with presenting concerns that accompany depression, anxiety identity struggles, trauma, relationship concerns, adjustment difficulties, parent-child relationship challenges, and eating disorders. Previously, Marissa has had the privilege of working in a university counseling center, an eating disorder clinic, and in a community based counseling center doing testing and therapy. Through her various experiences, she has developed a passion for supporting others on their path to healing and overall wellness.

Outside of work, Marissa enjoys spending her downtime with a good book, music, and sunshine.

"Marissa shows up in a way that lets you know that you are her complete focus. You will feel instantly comfortable and supported when you meet with her.​"

Previous Book Club Meetings

September  2021

Host: Marissa Hartel
Book: Walking The Tiger by Peter A. Levine
Here's what we discussed:
  • Why are animals, though threatened routinely, rarely traumatized while humans would be traumatized by the same environment? 
  • The subtle, yet powerful impulses that govern our responses to overwhelming life events.
  • A series of exercises that help us focus on bodily sensations; through which trauma can be healed.

July 2021

Host: Tamika Simpson
Book: The 5 Love Languages by Elaine N. Aron
Here's what we discussed:
  •  Each of the 5 love languages, how they are expressed and how you can cater to them 
  • Each participants love language and how learning about it helped them 
  • How to share with your partner and learn their love language ​

June 2021

Host: Tamika Simpson
Book: The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron
Here's what we discussed:
  •  Self-assessment tests to help you identify your particular sensitivities
  • Ways to reframe your past experiences in a positive light and gain greater self-esteem in the process
  • Insight into how high sensitivity affects both work and personal relationships
  • Tips on how to deal with over-arousal
  • Information on medications and when to seek help
  • Techniques to enrich the soul and spirit

May 2021

Host: Dr. Marissa Long
Book: Attached by Dr. Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller
Here's what we discussed:
  • Anxious people are often preoccupied with their relationships and tend to worry about their partner's ability to love them back
  • Avoidant people equate intimacy with a loss of independence and constantly try to minimize closeness. 
  • Secure people feel comfortable with intimacy and are usually warm and loving.

April 2021

Host: Dr. Megan Ciota
Book: Healing the Adult Children of Narcissists by Shahida Arabi
Here's what we discussed:
  • The​ unique challenges daughters of narcissistic fathers face
  • The ways in which adverse childhood experiences affect our brains
  • How narcissistic abuse in childhood can set us up for trauma repetition in adulthood, affecting how we navigate relationships, the self, and the world

March 2021

Host: Dr. Rebekah So
Book: The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Here's what we discussed:
  • ​ That trauma is a fact of life  and the various places/experiances it can stem from 
  • Recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust.
  • The tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

Feburary 2021

Host: Dr. Monica Hennon
Book: The Worry Cure by Robert L. Leahy
Here's what we discussed: 
  • Determining your “worry profile” and change your patterns of worry 
  •  Identifying productive and unproductive worry
  • Taking control of time and eliminating the sense of urgency that keeps you anxious
  • Embracing uncertainty instead of searching for perfect solutions

January 2021

Host: Dr. Kristen Izbicki 
Book: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
Here's what we discussed: 
  • The insights and techniques of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
  • That trying to find happiness ends up making us miserable, driving the epidemics of stress, anxiety, and depression. 
  • Techniques to create a rich, full, and meaningful life

December 2020

Host: Dr. Ashleigh Fellows
Book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Here's what we discussed: 
- Finding courage to overcome paralyzing fear and self-consciousness
- How to believe we are worthy of self-discovery, personal growth, and boundless love.
- The psychology of releasing our definitions of an “imperfect” life and embracing living authentically.

November 2020

Host: Dr. Makisha Lawrence
Book: The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
Here's what we discussed: 
- Understanding our own indoctrinated body shame
- The transformative opportunity of radical self-love
- What it means to break up with your shame in your self image

October 2020

Host: Dr. Marissa Long
Book: Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
Here's what we discussed: 
- What is codependence anyway
- How to know if you're codependent
- How codependence shows up in our lives and what to do about it