Self-Help That Works : Resources to Improve Emotional Health and Strengthen Relationships

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. Cover Contents Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 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 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 Self-Help Books Autobiographies Films Internet Resources Support Groups 12. Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders Self-Help Books Autobiographies Films Internet Resources Support Groups 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 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 12 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 Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Preface Acknowledgments Self-help in mental health Abuse Addictions Adult development Aging Anger Anxiety disorders Assertiveness Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Autism and asperger's Bipolar disorder (manic-depression) Borderline and narcissistic personality disorders Bullying Career development Child development and parenting Chronic pain Communication and people skills Death and grieving Dementia/Alzheimer's Depression Divorce Eating disorders Families and stepfamilies Gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues Happiness Infant development and parenting Love and intimacy Marriage Men's issues Obsessive-compulsive disorder Posttraumatic stress disorder Pregnancy Schizophrenia Self-management and self-enhancement Sexuality Spiritual and existential concerns Stress management and relaxation Substance abuse Suicide Teenagers and parenting Violent youth Women's issues For consumers : evaluating and selecting self-help resources 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. Helps readers identify effective self-help materials and distinguish them from those that are potentially misleading or even harmful. It is designed for laypersons and mental-health professionals and reviews books, films, online programs, support groups and websites for 41 behavioral disorders and life challenges