Self-help is big business, but alas, not always a scientific one. Self-help books, websites, and movies abound and are important sources of psychological advice for millions of Americans. But how can you sift through them to find the ones that work?
Self-Help That Works is an indispensable guide that enables readers to identify effective self-help materials and distinguish them from those that are potentially misleading or even harmful. Six scientist-practitioners bring careful research, expertise, and a dozen national studies to the task of choosing and recommending self-help resources.
Designed for both laypersons and mental-health professionals, this book critically reviews multiple types of self-help resources, from books and autobiographies to films, online programs, support groups, and websites, for 41 different behavioral disorders and life challenges. The revised edition of this award-winning book now features online self-help resources, expanded content, and new chapters focusing on autism, bullying, chronic pain, GLB issues, happiness, and nonchemical addictions. Each chapter updates the self-help resources launched since the previous edition and expands the material. The final chapters provide key strategies for consumers evaluating self-help as well as for professionals integrating self-help into treatment.
All told, this updated edition of Self-Help that Works evaluates more than 2,000 self-help resources and brings together the collective wisdom of nearly 5,000 mental health professionals. Whether seeking self-help for yourself, loved ones, or patients, this is the go-to, research-based guide with the best advice on what works.
Preface ; Acknowledgments ; 1. Self-Help in Mental Health ; 2. Abuse ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 3. Addictions ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 4. Adult Development ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; 5. Aging ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 6. Anger ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 7. Anxiety Disorders ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 8. Assertiveness ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; 9. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 10. Autism and Asperger's ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 11. Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression) ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 12. Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; 13. Bullying ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; 14. Career Development ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; 15. Child Development and Parenting ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 16. Chronic Pain ; Self-Help Books ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 17. Communication and People Skills ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; 18. Death and Grieving ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 19. Dementia/Alzheimer's ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 20. Depression ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 21. Divorce ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 22. Eating Disorders ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 23. Families and Stepfamilies ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 24. Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 25. Happiness ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; 26. Infant Development and Parenting ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; 27. Love and Intimacy ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; 28. Marriage ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 29. Men's Issues ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 30. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 31. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 32. Pregnancy ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 33. Schizophrenia ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 34. Self-Management and Self-Enhancement ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; 35. Sexuality ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 36. Spiritual and Existential Concerns ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; 37. Stress Management and Relaxation ; Self-Help Books ; Internet Resources ; 38. Substance Abuse ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Online Self-Help ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 39. Suicide ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 40. Teenagers and Parenting ; Self-Help Books ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 41. Violent Youth ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; 42. Women's Issues ; Self-Help Books ; Autobiographies ; Films ; Internet Resources ; Support Groups ; 43. For Consumers: Evaluating and Selecting Self-Help Resources ; 44. For Practitioners: Integrating Self-Help into Treatment ; Appendix A. The Twelve National Studies ; Appendix B. Ratings of Self-Help Books in the National Studies ; Appendix C. Ratings of Autobiographies in the National Studies ; Appendix D. Ratings of Films in the National Studies ; References ; About the Authors ; Author and Title Index ; Subject Index
