Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment Issues and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • PTSD
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Christian Counseling for Children
        and Teens
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sex And Porn Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Bellevue Office FrontBellevue
    • Bothell Office Front EntranceBothell
    • Edmonds Christian CounselingEdmonds
    • Everett Office Front EntranceEverett
    • Federal Way Office FrontFederal Way
    • Hansville
    • Kent 2Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • LaceyLacey
    • Mill Creek Office Waiting RoomMill Creek
    • Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    • Puyallup Christian CounselingPuyallup
    • Redmond OfficeRedmond
    • Seattle Downtown OfficeSeattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake 2Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • Tacoma Office FrontTacoma
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (425) 939-6856Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

A Guide to the Best Personal Development Books

Bellevue Christian Counseling
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/a-guide-to-the-best-personal-development-books-3.jpg 300 225
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bellevue.jpg
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Dec
2015
10

A Guide to the Best Personal Development Books

Christian Counselor Seattle

CodependencyIndividual CounselingPersonal Development

A Christian Counselor’s Recommendations

Personal development is a popular topic in our society. While most folks shop online for the latest book releases, there is still a healthy section at Barnes & Noble dedicated to the pursuit of self-help. The Christian world also participates in this, using books and other media to foster a healthier relationship with God. But with all of the opinions available, it can be difficult to determine which books are really the best personal development books. Who is promoting productive personal development skills, and who is simply trying to make money by selling a brand that might work for a slim percentage of the population?

In this article, I present a list of personal development books that I personally endorse. I have read all of these books and find each of them invaluable in their own ways. The authors come from various backgrounds and use various methodologies, but I have found that each of them contribute to personal development in healthy and fruitful ways.

The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner

This book captures the importance of knowing yourself in order to have an authentic and full relationship with God.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, Ph.D.

Brené Brown has been in the limelight over the past few years. She has several TED Talks, has been on national and international tours, and has also been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Her work displays courage and challenges her readers to engage in bravery that lies far outside of our comfort zones. I would encourage you to read any and all of Dr. Brown’s books. She has articulated the fear that most of us carry, namely, that we are not good enough.

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

The title of this book always makes me nervous. The word boundaries can be so daunting. I think this is mostly because we don’t like the idea of boundaries. They seem rigid and unforgiving. Drs. Cloud and Townsend explain the need for boundaries in a clear and easy manner. While some of the material is difficult to wrestle with, I believe each person on the planet should read this book in an effort to love both themselves and others well.

Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland

Personality traits are a key identifier in understanding who we are. Mulholland utilizes the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator as a platform for navigating spiritual formation and understanding how each person uniquely interacts with their faith and spirituality. I have found this to be a useful tool in helping people understand themselves better and also understand their preferences regarding spiritual practices.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Having spent three years in the concentration camp, Auschwitz, Frankl speaks to finding meaning in the direst of circumstances. In Auschwitz, he noticed that some of his fellow prisoners were not only surviving the horror of their situation, but actually growing as a result of it. By overcoming his own hardships, he was able to find meaning and purpose in order to survive what most others did not.

Christian Counseling and Personal Development

This list is by no means exhaustive and I could go on for pages detailing the best personal development books that I have found both personally and professionally beneficial as a Christian counselor. These titles are a great starting point for beginning and/or continuing on the path of personal development. Together with reading, Christian counseling can be a great asset in the pursuit of personal development. Utilizing the counseling relationship as a sounding board for how others experience you, what you have to offer in relationships, and how your past experiences have shaped you can be invaluable on the path to self-discovery. I would be honored to be a part of your personal journey toward wholeness.

 

Photos
“Diary 1,” courtesy of Leyram Odacrem, Flickr CreativeCommons (CC BY 2.0); “Books-01,”courtesy of Christopher, Flickr CreativeCommons (CC BY 2.0); “Autumn Tree Farm and Road,” by Charles Knowles, Flickr CreativeCommons (CC BY 2.0)

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top

Other articles that might interest you...

spacer

spacer

spacer

Related Services

  • Codependency
  • Individual Counseling
  • Personal Development
Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2025 Bellevue Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
330 112th Ave NE,, Bellevue, WA 98004. Tel (425) 939-6856.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
We are open for business. In person and online counseling are available now.