Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma

A compassionate, interactive guide filled with practical skills and essential information for adults who love someone with a mental illness or history of trauma.

Silver Winner of the 2026 IBPA Book Award for the Body,Mind& Spirit Category;Finalist of the Annual National Indie Excellence Award for the Self Help Category

Family members and friends of adults with a mental illness often navigate difficult journeys, filled with fear, heartache, frustration, helplessness, exhaustion, and guilt—feelings that may be intermingled with immense pride and hope. Suffering in silence can magnify confusion, isolation, and pain.

Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma provides actionable strategies for these family members and friends who give so much but whose needs and sacrifices are often unappreciated. Written by clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman and her mother, DeAnne Sherman, an advocate and educator, the book provides research-based recommendations, practical skills, up-to-date resources, inspiration from families with lived experience, and interactive activities to encourage personal reflection.

This accessible guide teaches readers:
• Tools to cope with difficult emotions
• Strategies to empower loved ones, including how to navigate the mental health system
• Communication and limit-setting skills
• Approaches to supporting loved ones who have experienced trauma or have PTSD
• Ways to manage common challenges, such as alcohol or drug misuse, and when a loved one declines professional help
• Strategies to support children
• Skills to build personal resilience and strengthen relationships

Grounded in science, empowering, and hopeful yet realistic, this book is an invaluable resource for family members, friends, and mental health professionals.