Best Dysfunctional Families Books of 2025

The book "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, is a breakthrough guide for those who have grown up with emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parents. Gibson exposes the destructive nature of such parents and offers practical insight into healing from the pain and confusion caused by childhood trauma. The book is impeccably clear and soothing, despite the heavy subject matter. It can be a source of healing for adult children of these kinds of parents and insightful for therapists, bosses, friends, and anyone who works with or supports such people. Overall, this book is unique in its ability to anticipate people's emotions and reticence and gently urge them forward, making it an invaluable resource for those seeking to heal from childhood trauma.

Jennette McCurdy's memoir, "I'm Glad My Mom Died," is a heartbreaking yet inspiring story of a former child actor's struggles with eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother. The book chronicles her journey to take control of her life after her mother's death from cancer. McCurdy's candid and darkly humorous writing style makes this a compelling read for anyone looking for a story of resilience and independence. It's not a flippant exposé of childhood stardom, but rather a layered account of a woman reckoning with love and violence at once. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the entertainment industry and the challenges of growing up in the limelight.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab is a must-read for anyone struggling with establishing healthy boundaries. The book breaks down this complex topic in a relatable and inclusive tone, offering simple-yet-powerful ways to identify and express our needs without offending others. Rooted in the latest research and best practices used in cognitive behavioral therapy, Tawwab's techniques help readers tackle codependency, power struggles, anxiety, depression, burnout, and more. Overall, this book is a comprehensive, relevant, and relatable guide to setting boundaries and living a more peaceful life.

Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships by Nedra Glover Tawwab is a powerful guide that helps readers understand and break dysfunctional family patterns. The book covers topics ranging from emotional neglect to mental health struggles in relatives and offers clear advice for taking control of one's life. This book is a must-read for anyone struggling with family issues and looking for a way to move forward. The author's compassion and clarity make this book unique and empowering.

This book is a comprehensive guide for those who have suffered from Narcissistic Abuse, Gaslighting, Codependency and Complex PTSD. It includes four workbooks and guides that cover everything you need to know about these topics and how to recover from them. The book teaches you how to identify manipulation tactics used by toxic people, how to transform your mindset, and how to recover from the trauma caused by these relationships. It also provides real-world scenarios and strategies to protect yourself from being manipulated and abused. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to heal and recover from unhealthy relationships.

Becoming Free Indeed is a captivating memoir by Jinger Vuolo, the sixth child of the Duggar family. She shares her journey of questioning the strict religious rules she grew up with and discovering true freedom in Christ. Through her personal experiences, Jinger shows how she disentangled her faith from fear and learned to embrace personal conviction. This book is a must-read for anyone who has struggled with legalistic religious teachings and desires to find a deeper understanding of God's Word. It is a unique and inspiring story that will leave readers feeling empowered and encouraged.

The Set Boundaries Workbook by Nedra Glover Tawwab is a must-read for anyone who wants to establish and maintain healthy boundaries in their personal and professional relationships. The book offers practical exercises and thought-provoking checklists that help readers gain insight and take action. Tawwab's expertise as a licensed therapist and relationship expert shines through in her clear explanations and interactive exercises. This book is a valuable tool for anyone looking to speak up for what they want and need, and show up more authentically in the world.

1-2-3 Magic by Dr. Thomas Phelan is a must-read for parents seeking an effective and enjoyable way to discipline their children. Using his signature counting method, this book teaches parents how to stop obnoxious behaviors like tantrums, whining, and sibling rivalry, while building a strong parent-child bond and promoting self-esteem. The book also provides helpful tips on how to manage testing and manipulation, encourage good behavior, and establish positive routines. With a proven track record and numerous awards, 1-2-3 Magic is the gold standard of child discipline. Highly recommended for parents looking for a drama-free way to raise happier families.

The Origins of You by Vienna Pharaon is a guide to understanding and overcoming wounds from your Family of Origin, which shapes the way we relate to others, ourselves, and the world around us. Pharaon has unlocked a healing process to help us examine what worked and didn't work in the family framework we grew up within. The book offers guided introspection, personal experiences, client stories, frameworks for having difficult conversations, and worksheets to complement each chapter. It's a complete package to break family patterns and help you liberate the way you live and love. Overall, it's an insightful book that provides a promise that our family of origin does not determine our destiny.

Mother Hunger by Kelly McDaniel is a groundbreaking book that explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, particularly under-mothering. The author offers a healing path and powerful tools that include therapeutic interventions and lifestyle changes in service to healthy relationships. McDaniel is the first clinician to identify Mother Hunger, which demystifies the search for love and provides the compass that each woman needs to end the struggle with achy, lonely emptiness, and come home to herself. This book is a must-read for anyone struggling with addictive relational patterns or seeking to understand the impact of early childhood experiences on adult relationships.