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.

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

"The title says it all: it is indeed an authoritative guide. Using the book is easy and effective... I recommend this book highly. It is well researched, well documented, and exhaustive in scale. It is easy to use and should be in your office bookcase." --Psychotherapy "A very useful guide to all clinicians in selecting the kind of educational materials that will speed up their psychotherapy." -- Aaron T. Beck, MD "The Best Self-Help Books - General Resources." -- Psychology Today "This updated volume - well-researched, authoritative, and user-friendly - offers answers for the critically minded. This is an invaluable reference for clinicians, graduate students, and consumers. Kudos to the authors for providing a valuable revision that should be added to every psychotherapist's toolbox." -- Donald Meichenbaum, PhD "Helpful for suggestions on what books, movies, and Websites to recommend to their patients. Librarians can use (it) for buying suggestions and for patron questions. Its inexpensive price and valuable subject make it a must purchase for most libraries." -- American Reference Books Annual "A monumentally comprehensive resource of great practical value to mental health professionals, their clients, and other interested readers. It remains the standard against which books and web sites will be judged." -- Robert F. Alberti, PhD "This is the only resource I know of that applies science to examine the self-help industry, and therefore we think it's an important resource. If scientific evidence is important for you before making a decision about what book to buy, which intervention to employ, or which teacher to follow, then this volume is the Consumer Report for self-help." --Self-help Empowerment through Education and Knowledge (SEEK) "John Norcross and colleagues performed a heroic and important service by reviewing myriad books, films, and Internet resources. ...professionals will find this work will help them sort through a bewildering array of self-help materials, pointing them in the direction of meaningful treatment tools. I'll use this book as a practitioner, and only wish it had been available when I was a graduate student." -- Danny Wedding, PhD, MPH Book of the Year Award - consumer health publications. --American Journal of Nursing "This book is to be strongly recommended for both types (professionals, lay public) of readers." --Readings "From books and movies to the Internet, Authoritative Guide to Self-Help Resources in Mental Health provides a strong survey of self-help resources in mental health and reveals the good ones, the bad ones, and how general consumers can tell the difference. --The Bookwatch "This extraordinarily comprehensive, thoughtfully researched, well-organized and fun-to-read book should be very helpful for those who want to help themselves. The next time I'm asked "Can you suggest something to read about..." or "Are there any good Internet resources I could look at?" we'll be reaching for the Authoritative Guide to Self-Help Resources in Mental Health." -- Michael Hoyt, PhD "A uniquely comprehensive resource of great practical value to mental health professionals, but especially to their clients, and all others who are interested in, or been touched by, mental illness. As it clearly is the standard against which books and Web sites in the this field will be judged, the revised edition belongs on the reference shelf of all health science libraries serving patients and their families and friends, as well as in all public libraries." --E-Streams "Extremely useful...I am likely to purchase several copies in order to keep one office copy at each of my two office locations, as well as loan copies for my patients. I will make this book required reading for my residents." -- Bruce S. Liese, PhD "An exceptional and truly authoritative resource... The volume impartially and judiciously surveys all the important paths commonly used by self-help consumers, clearly presenting its valuable findings. It is replete with remarkably comprehensive resources for anyone interested in mental health." -- Albert Ellis, PhD

Selling point: Based on 12 national studies that lead to the recommendations Selling point: Addresses 41 behavioral disorders and life challenges - from abuse and addictions to women's issues and violent youth Selling point: Canvasses multiple self-help resources: books, autobiographies, films, online programs, support groups, and websites

John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP, is Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Fellow at the University of Scranton, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a board-certified clinical psychologist in a part-time practice. Linda F. Campbell, PhD, is a professor and director of the training clinic in the Department of Counseling and Human Development at the University of Georgia. John M. Grohol, PsyD, is an expert in online psychology, a researcher, and CEO and founder of a leading mental health network online, PsychCentral.com. John W. Santrock, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas. Florin Selagea, MS, is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of Georgia. Robert Sommer, PhD, is Distinguished Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the University of California, Davis.

Selling point: Based on 12 national studies that lead to the recommendations Selling point: Addresses 41 behavioral disorders and life challenges - from abuse and addictions to women's issues and violent youth Selling point: Canvasses multiple self-help resources: books, autobiographies, films, online programs, support groups, and websites