Math Therapy™: 5 Steps to Help Your Students Overcome Math Trauma and Build a Better Relationship With Math

by Vanessa Vakharia

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 11, 2024

Reviews

[Matt Dietzenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful book behind the trauma of mathematics. “Every child is capable of building a better relationship with math..”. And as a math educator we might “ be the only adult of this student’s lives who actually believes in their capacity..”.

[Tricia Tirio · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Loved this one! I can’t wait to try some of these strategies with my students this school year.

[Kathy Tofson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that all teachers should read, it relates so much to any educational trauma, and how we can avoid it! It’s an easy read by an amazing author

[Lizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia

I absolutely loved this book! It has truly inspired me to be a better math teacher. I work with students who struggle to pass the state math assessment and often deal with what Vanessa calls “Math Trauma.” As a teacher—and someone who has personally experienced both math trauma and math anxiety—so much of what she discussed hit home for me.

Vanessa’s approach to reframing how we think and talk about math is both empowering and refreshing. Her compassion, humor, and insight remind educators that math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about mindset, confidence, and connection.

This book has given me practical tools and new perspectives that I can’t wait to bring into my own classroom. I’m even hosting a Math Therapy-inspired professional development (with Vanessa’s blessing!), and I’m so excited to share these ideas with other teachers.

A must-read for any math educator or anyone who’s ever said, “I’m just not a math person.” This book reminded me that everyone has the potential to find joy in math—it just takes the right approach.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! As a math educator, I deal with students’ math trauma every year. This book gives you so many actions and activities to do with your students that helps them start to heal their trauma and start them on a journey to truly appreciate math and have a positive relationship with the subject; something I’ve been working on for over a decade in this career. The book is fun and easy to read and feels like you’re reading a novel. From personal anecdotes to concrete steps to take, you will not regret reading this book!