Student Affairs

Self-help books

Popular—and professionally recommended—books.

University and public libraries carry many of these books. Most are available in inexpensive, soft-cover editions.

This list comes from The Authoritative Guide to Self-Help Resources in Mental Health, by John C. Norcross and others (New York: Guilford, 2000).

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Alcohol Abuse: Al J. Mooney, Arlene Eisenberg, and Howard Eisenberg, The Recovery Book (New York: Workman, 1992).

Anger: Carol Tavris, Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion, rev. ed. (New York: Touchstone Books, 1989).

Anxiety: Edmund J. Bourke, The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Oakland: New Harbinger, 1995).

Assertiveness: Sharon Anthony Bower and Gordon H. Bower, Asserting Yourself: A Practical Guide for Positive Change (Reading, Mass.: Addison Wesley, 1991).

Robert Alberti & Michael Emmons.  Your Perfect Right:  Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life and Relationships (9th ed.), Atascadero, CA:  Impact, 2009.

Attention-Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity: Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey, Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994).

Childhood Sexual Abuse, Recovery From: Ellen Bass and Laura Davis, The Courage to Heal, rev. ed. (New York: Perennial, 1992).

Communication: Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, and Patrick Fanning, How to Communicate: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Personal and Professional Relationships (New York: Fine, 1997).

Death and Grieving: Therese Rando, How to Go on Living When Someone You Love Dies (New York: Bantam, 1991).

Depression: David Burns, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, rev. ed. (New York: Avon, 1999).

Divorce; Children and Divorce: Richard Gardner, The Boys and Girls Book about Divorce (New York: Bantam, 1985).

Abigail Trafford, Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce (New York: Harper & Row, 1982).

Eating Disorders:  Christopher G. Fairburn, Overcoming Binge Eating (New York: Guilford Press, 1995).

Ira M. Sacker and Marc A. Zimmer, Dying to be Thin: Understanding and Defeating Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia—A Practical, Lifesaving Guide (New York: Warner, 1987).

Fear of Flying: Duane Brown, Flying Without Fear, NY:  Barnes & Noble, 1996.

Health and Healing: Andrew Weil, Spontaneous Healing: How to Discover and Enhance Your Body's Natural Ability to Maintain and Heal Itself (New York: Knopf, 1995).

Marriage: John Gottman, Why Marriages Succeed or Fail (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994).

Men's Issues: Daniel J. Levinson, Seasons of a Man's Life (New York: Ballantine, 1978).

Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors: Edna B. Foa and Reid Wilson, S.T.O.P. Obsessing: How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions (New York: Bantam, 1991).

Pain & Chronic Pain:  Margaret Caudill, Managing Pain Before it Manages You (3rd ed.), NY: Guilford, 2009.

Panic Attacks: Reid Wilson, Don't Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks, rev. ed. (New York: Harper & Row, 1996).

David Burns, When Panic Attacks:  The New Drug Free Therapy that Can Change Your Life, Morgan Road Books, 2006.

George Clum, Coping with Panic:  A Drug Free Approach to Dealing With Anxiety Attacks,  Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks Cole, 1990.

Parenting: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, 20th ed. (New York: Avon, 1999).

Pregnancy: Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, What to Expect When You're Expecting, rev. ed. (New York: Workman, 1996).

Procrastination: Albert Ellis and William Knauss, Overcoming Procrastination (New York: Institute for Rational Living, 1977).

Relationships, Love, and Intimacy: Aaron Beck, Love Is Never Enough (New York: Harper & Row, 1988).

Shyness: Philip Zimbardo, Shyness (Reading, Mass.: Addison Wesley, 1987).

Stress Management and Relaxation: James Madders, The Stress and Relaxation Handbook: A Practical Guide to Self-Help Techniques (London: Vermilion, 1987).

Weight Management: Andrew Weil, Eight Weeks to Optimum Health (New York: Knopf, 1997).

Counseling services

Jack Severinghaus
Direct line: 509.358.7533
Appointments: 509.358.7740
E-mail: severing@wsu.edu

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PO Box 1495
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