These books address a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, shyness, relationships, and more. To a significant degree the selected books are drawn from a more comprehensive resource, the Authoritative Guide to Self Help Resources in Mental Health, by John C. Norcross and others (revised edition published in 2003, ISBN 1572308397).
We would like to thank the Counseling Center staff at Hobart and William Smith Colleges for permission to copy and use this list.
Starred (*) books are currently available in the Counseling Services library. Double starred (**) books are on the shelf at Conkeys. All other books may be ordered through Conkeys with delivery in about a week. We invite you to stop in at Counseling Services to explore these books further.
General self-improvement
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1998), Finding Flow: the Psychology of Engagement
in Everyday Life. ISBN 0465024114
In this stimulating book, Mihaly Csikszentmihayli (pronounced “Chik-sent-mee-high-yee”)
demonstrates how anyone can apply his highly regarded psychological research
on “flow” to enhance the enjoyment of life. Csikszentmihayli describes
the kinds of daily activities that do and don’t produce genuine engagement,
and demonstrates that increasing one’s involvement in engaging activities
leads to a more satisfying life.**
Martin Seligman (1998), Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your
Life. ISBN 0671019112
Martin Seligman, a leading psychologist, turns his ground-breaking research
on “learned helplessness” on its head, and describes how developing “learned
optimism” can improve many facets of one’s life.
Abuse during childhood
Ellen Bass & Laura Davis (1994), The Courage To Heal: A Guide for Women
Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (3rd Ed.). ISBN 0060950668
Although neither Ellen Bass nor Laura Davis are trained mental health professionals,
they developed what is widely considered the “Bible” for adult
women who have experienced sexual abuse during childhood. Some critics have
argued that their list of “probable” signs of childhood sexual
abuse is too inclusive and might mislead some women to needlessly question
whether they may have “repressed” memories of such abuse. Even
so, their book is a wonderful resource for women who know that they were abused
as children. The book offers stories from other “survivors,” helpful
writing exercises, advice for partners of survivors, and much more.*
Michael Lew (1990), Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and Other
Child Abuse. ISBN 0060973005
This book is an essential resource for the otherwise often overlooked men
who have suffered abuse in childhood. The book includes helpful personal accounts
from men who have survived childhood abuse, and offers a variety of other useful
self-help information.*
Anxiety
Edmund J. Bourne (2000), The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (3rd Ed.). ISBN 157224223X
The latest edition of this well-known book rounds out its practical, step-by-step
offerings of mostly cognitive-behavioral strategies to address anxiety and
phobias by including relevant information about medications and herbal supplements.*
R. Reid Wilson (1996), Don’t Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks
(Rev. Ed.). ISBN 0060951605
This book provides a thorough introduction to Panic
Disorder, and then offers an empirically supported, cognitive-behaviorally
based self-help program for
addressing panic attacks.
Assertiveness
Robert E. Alberti & Michael L. Emmons (2001), Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness
and Equality in Your Life and Relationships (8th Ed.). ISBN 1886230285
A classic in the field, this book emphasizes the use of effective communication
in becoming appropriately assertive.** *
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity
Edward M. Hallowell & John J. Ratey (1995), Driven to Distraction: Recognizing
and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood.
ISBN 0684801280
This book is a valuable resource that offers a life-span perspective on attention
disorders and emphasizes the effect such disorders can have on relationships,
education, and careers. The book reviews the diagnosis of attention disorders,
co-occurring disorders, and treatment strategies.**
Depression
David D. Burns (1999), The Feeling Good Handbook (Rev. Ed.). ISBN 0452281326
This popular book translates the widely used and empirically supported cognitive
therapy for depression into a self-help program that addresses depression
and other closely related problems (e.g., insecurity, irritability, procrastination,
guilt, and so forth). The book offers numerous exercises, self-rating scales,
and other aids that make it easy to apply its fundamental concepts while
also assessing one’s progress.*
GLBT concerns
Kim Howard & Annie Stevens (Eds.) (2000), Out and About Campus. Personal
Accounts by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered College Students. ISBN
1555834809
This book offers a collection of 28 essays written by GLBT college students
from across the U.S. The essays are first-person accounts of the students’ experiences
in adjusting to academic life. As a whole, the accounts are thoughtful, insightful,
and moving, and offer support to others facing similar issues.
Ritch C. Savin-Williams (2001), Mom, Dad, I’m Gay: How Families Negotiate
Coming Out. ISBN 1557987416
In this valuable resource psychologist and researcher Ritch Savin-Williams
summarizes the results of his own research and that of others to provide a
nuanced perspective on the wide variety of experiences young people have as
they “come out” to their families. Based on a careful analysis
of the available research, Savin-Williams offers practical advice on “coming
out” to one’s family.
Loss
Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield, & Melba Colgrove (1993), How to
Survive the Loss of a Love. ISBN 0931580439
The title notwithstanding, this book actually considers losses of all kinds,
including not only relationships lost through death or break-ups, but also
including the psychological losses entailed by bankruptcy, serious illness
and accidents, career setbacks, and so forth. The book offers a mix of practical
advice, inspirational passages, and other helpful aids.**
Multicultural concerns
Terrance Dean (2003), Reclaim your power! A 30-day Guide to Hope, Healing,
and Inspiration for Men of Color. ISBN 081296778X
In this book Terrance Dean, a writer and motivational speaker, offers a 30-day
guide modeled on devotional books. Each day the reader is invited to read a
brief passage that provides wisdom, advice, and inspiration in managing problems
often faced by men of color.
Monique Greenwood (2001), Having What Matters: the Black Woman’s Guide
to Creating the Life You Really Want. ISBN 0688175090
Monique Greenwood is a successful, Black businesswoman who uses this inspirational
book to share with other women the lessons she has learned in developing a
satisfying life.
Obsessions and Compulsions
Edna B. Foa & Reid Wilson (2001), Stop Obsessing! How to Overcome Your
Obsessions and Compulsions (Rev. Ed.). ISBN 0553381172
Psychologist Edna Foa is a leading researcher in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder. This authoritative book offers a clear introduction to the disorder
and its origins, and provides empirically supported, cognitive-behaviorally
based strategies for addressing the disorder.*
Rape
Robin Warshaw (1994), I Never Called it Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing,
Fighting, and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape. ISBN 0060925728
Not only is this book one of the best self-help books available relating
to acquaintance rape, it is also a valuable resource for partners and family
members of rape victims, and for educators and counselors.*
Relationships
Aaron Beck (1989). Love is Never Enough: How Couples Can Overcome Misunderstandings,
Resolve Conflicts, and Solve Relationship Problems Through Cognitive Therapy.
ISBN 0060916044
In this popular self-help book, psychiatrist Aaron Beck, who is one of the
founders and early developers of cognitive therapy, applies his therapeutic
approach to romantic relationships.
John M. Gottman & Joan DeClaire (2002), The Relationship Cure: A Five
Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships. ISBN 0609809539
John Gottman, a psychologist and leading researcher in relationships, offers
an empirically supported program for improving relationships of all kinds.
Gottman demonstrates the importance of recognizing key relationship cues and
then responding to these cues effectively.
Shyness, Social Anxiety
Franklin Schneier & Lawrence Welkowitz (1996), The Hidden Face of Shyness:
Understanding and Overcoming Social Anxiety. ISBN 0380783991
This book offers a good introduction to the varieties and origins of social
anxiety, along with a practical self-help program for addressing the problem.
Stress
Martha Davis, Elizabeth R. Eshelman, & Matthew McKay (2000), The Relaxation
and Stress Reduction Workbook (5th Ed.). ISBN 1572242140
This popular book provides a wide variety of sensible, straightforward, and
effective strategies for addressing everyday stress.