For Clinicians

Books validate identity and experience.
Books provide support in processing complex issues.
Books foster resilience and empathy.

Books matter.

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  • In Georgia public schools — including Cobb County and Forsyth County districts — controversial book bans and limited access have surged in recent years. Recent state legislation has granted school administrators more unilateral power to make these decisions quickly and without extensive community input (SB 226).

  • In Georgia, the process begins when a parent or community member challenges a book’s content—often citing concerns about sexual content, violence, or controversial themes—prompting school officials to review the material. Under Public Law SB 226, school administrators are given the authority to swiftly and unilaterally remove the challenged books from classrooms and libraries, often without the input of a formal review committee. Once a decision is made, the book is removed with minimal public notice, and the school district updates its list of restricted materials accordingly.

  • School officials have increasingly removed or restricted titles they deem to contain “divisive” content, including LGBTQ+ themes, discussions of race, and other topics some parents and community members find objectionable. Such bans can restrict access to diverse perspectives and undermine academic freedom, therefore affecting students’ mental health.

  • Cobb County School District

    • Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series (for example, A Court of Mist and Fury has been targeted)

    • Ironfire by David Ball

    • My Shadow Is Purple by Scott Stuart (This title gained national attention following the termination of a teacher who read it to her class.)

    • Flamer by Mike Curato

    • Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

    Marietta City Schools

    Specific titles have not been comprehensively reported. News coverage indicates that Marietta City Schools are following similar practices to nearby Cobb County, though the detailed list appears to overlap with the Cobb bans.

    Forsyth County Schools

    • Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood is not banned outright, but is subject to a policy requiring parental permission before student access. This reflects a trend where certain controversial titles are restricted rather than formally removed.

    Atlanta Public Schools

    There are no widespread reports of systematic bans similar to those in suburban districts like Cobb. Some isolated challenges may occur, but APS is not currently known for enacting a broad book-ban policy - lets keep it that way!

  • Absolutely. While our Banned Book Club is clinician-focused, please feel free to check out and share the resources found in the sections below.

Therapists Against Banning Books (TABB) is an Atlanta-based coalition of mental health clinicians dedicated to promoting school-aged clients' emotional well-being through free access to diverse literature. We advocate against book bans in metro Atlanta schools, responsibly share resources and insights within our professional community and book club, and provide trusted information to parents and clients.

Our mission is to empower individuals by ensuring access to affirming narratives that support mental wellness, foster resilience, and nurture inclusive communities.

“Banning books gives us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen. It makes us blind when we need sight.”

Stephen Chbosky

Additional Resources

For Parents:

The Unite Against Book Bans Toolkit: The Unite Against Book Bans Toolkit provides a comprehensive resource to understand and counteract censorship in schools and libraries. It offers practical strategies for advocacy, guidance on engaging with decision-makers, and actionable tools to defend intellectual freedom. By emphasizing collaborative action and community mobilization, the toolkit empowers stakeholders to effectively challenge restrictive book policies.

For Educators:

Responding to Book Challenges: A Handbook for Educators: The NCAC Educator Handbook empowers teachers to recognize, respond to, and prevent censorship by emphasizing intellectual freedom and diverse perspectives. It explains key legal protections and offers practical strategies—including sample letters and advocacy tools—for managing challenges to classroom materials. Ultimately, the guide encourages educators to create inclusive learning environments where students can critically engage with a broad range of ideas.

For Students:

How to Fight Book Bans: A Tip Sheet for Students: This tip sheet explains that book bans can take various forms and often target books by LGBTQ+ writers, women, and writers of color. It urges students to exercise their First Amendment rights—by protesting, speaking out on social media, and testifying publicly—to ensure diverse literature remains accessible. It also advises students to protect themselves from online harassment and to report bans to advocacy groups for further support.

For Communities

Mental Health First Aid Training

I am a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training for schools, organizations, and businesses.

This evidence-based program teaches staff, educators, and community members how to recognize the signs of a mental health challenge in youth, respond with confidence, and connect young people to the right resources.

By bringing this training to your school or workplace, you can:

  • Increase awareness and reduce stigma around mental health

  • Equip staff with tools to identify when a young person may be struggling

  • Build a supportive culture where youth feel seen and heard

  • Create a safer, healthier environment for learning and working

Bring Mental Health First Aid to Your School or Business