How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self

Written by Dr. Nicole LePera

Narrated by Courtney Patterson

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ·  INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

From Dr. Nicole LePera, creator of ""the holistic psychologist""—the online phenomenon with more than two million Instagram followers—comes a revolutionary approach to healing that harnesses the power of the self to produce lasting change.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Nicole LePera often found herself frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy. Wanting more for her patients—and for herself—she began a journey to develop a united philosophy of mental, physical and spiritual wellness that equips people with the interdisciplinary tools necessary to heal themselves. After experiencing the life-changing results herself, she began to share what she’d learned with others—and soon “The Holistic Psychologist” was born.

Now, Dr. LePera is ready to share her much-requested protocol with the world. In How to Do the Work, she offers both a manifesto for SelfHealing as well as an essential guide to creating a more vibrant, authentic, and joyful life. Drawing on the latest research from a diversity of scientific fields and healing modalities, Dr. LePera helps us recognize how adverse experiences and trauma in childhood live with us, resulting in whole body dysfunction—activating harmful stress responses that keep us stuck engaging in patterns of codependency, emotional immaturity, and trauma bonds. Unless addressed, these self-sabotaging behaviors can quickly become cyclical, leaving people feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and unwell. 

In How to Do the Work, Dr. LePera offers readers the support and tools that will allow them to break free from destructive behaviors to reclaim and recreate their lives. Nothing short of a paradigm shift, this is a celebration of empowerment that will forever change the way we approach mental wellness and self-care.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063207684

Dr. Nicole LePera

Dr. Nicole LePera was trained in clinical psychology at Cornell University and The New School for Social Research and also studied at the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis. As a clinical psychologist in private practice, Dr. Nicole found herself frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy. Wanting more for her patients—and for herself—she began a journey to create a unified philosophy of mental, physical and spiritual health that equips people with the tools to heal themselves.  Offering a true paradigm shift in mental wellbeing, Dr. Nicole's teachings empower the individual to break free from inherited beliefs and uncover their authentic Selves. She is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Do the Work and is the creator of the #SelfHealers movement, an international community of people joining together to take healing into their own hands. 

Reviews for How to Do the Work

[Cynthia C Chirwa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of three best self help books, a must read for anyone looking to heal childhood wounds and inner healing. I loved the book so much I ordered the hard copy with the work book.

[Anastasiya Golendukhina · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Perhaps the things the author proposes are valid, but the writing is so slow and roundabout that I dropped it. Six chapters in and we get no new information, just how no one at med school liked meditation.

[Rebecca Kaufman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Recognize your patterns, heal from your past, create your SELF???
Audio books are my new “Adult” favorite!
Since starting therapyback in 2017, I assure you this book helps guide you to recognise your own patterns/cycles/trauma responses.
➡️Definition of trauma: “Trauma happens when we experience something that overwhelms our capacity to cope.
And, trauma isn't just about what we experience. Its about what we don't experience (connection, love, belonging, acceptance.)” Nicole LePera

[Elena Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book is very useful in the field of medicine. It has very well solved the problem which we face in daily life.

[Sherry Bryant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book for someone who is ready to ‘do the work!’ I have read/ listened to dozens of books and podcasts on my journey. This book puts it all together and provides a plan to ‘work it!’ I will be recommending it to others in my groups.

[Alexandra Albertz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. I learned that boundaries are very important. We can heal.

[Rebecca Stoll · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think this book is going to change my life! I bought the physical copy just so I could go back and highlight and work more on completing the prompts with a journal etc
So much of this will be helping in my healing.

[jenniffer Perkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very relatable and easy to follow. I loved it so much I even bought the hard copy.

[Visham Hussain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Author has simplified so much on what we can do heal ourselves. Thank you so much. Great read

[Devina Hoss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book actually changed my life, 10/10 recommend. ? ?

[maryam rasouli · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Life changing. A must read for anyone who wants to understand why you are the way you are.

[Meycy Zapata · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love this book and all the work she provides to heal holistically. Thank you Dr LePera

[ahama · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Only the last 2 chapters were good the chapters before were focusing alot on cause while in my opinion it should have been more on tools on how to improve

[Bernard Santoso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Help us to see the other side of our routine thoughts and acts

[Pau Line · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dr Lepera, thank you for sharing your wisdom, insight and personal growth.

[Naomi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is so much good stuff in this book. Exercises to do. I want to read it so I can get a better grasp on things or remember the important stuff.

Great growth development and self healing book.


Good voice also.

[Marijus P · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Healer for your past,present and future.Truly holistical psychology at its best.

[Sherine Elgendy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

the narrator is gonna give you anxiety, other than that good book

[Marcia Armstrong · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Diving into each chapter was very difficult for me due to my own trauma- The book is super relate-able. Honestly if you really not ready to do the work I would advise you not to read it. Reading chapter 10 open up some hidden wounds I kept buried away. Thank you Nicole for writing this book!! I highly recommend this book

[eliya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow..wow...wow..So to the point. So h elpful. Give it a go.

[Liliana Gomes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing and really eye opening. It does make you think and evaluate yourself in an interesting way.

[Amy Jo Hawkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Touched on every single aspect of mental health and personal well-being. But more importantly, the significance of being vulnerable enough with confronting your self (inner child and ego) in order to do the work necessary for awakening your Authentic Self. Dr. Nicole walks the reader through every moment of this work whilst sharing her own normal experiences to paint the canvas in creating a masterpiece of your authentic self!

[Sarah Werneck Evangelista · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an amazing book! I will definitely read it again and again and recommend it to anyone I can.

[Christy Proctor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Insightful, practical, and well written. Definitely a book worthy of recommending to friends and family.

[Nati · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book.
Easy to understand and it definitely encourages you to take the step for your own healing process!

[Shri R Amarasinghe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book changed my life. Everything that i was confused about my life makes so much sense now.
Thank you Dr.Nicole

[Rana Safvi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful book. I am glad we’ve got people like Dr LePera to talk about their healing journeys as a guide and support to so many others who feel so alone

[cmocanu_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good enough. Easy reading. Some practical advice.
Rated 4 four stars.

[Lauren White · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Nicole is a con artist teaching people to gaslight themselves...gross

[Diana Tannous · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I tried to like this book but at some point it became a torture to read. I appreciated the examples she shared on her patients but most of the book is about her problems with her family.