The purpose of this study was to critique in-print, post-1990 copyrighted stepfamily self-help books in order to provide guidance to helping professionals who work with these complex families. Of the 63 books reviewed, trained coders were able to strongly recommend 13 books for being well organized, for relying on clinical or empirical sources of…

Suggests innovative solutions for mutual benefits for self-help groups and the professionals. Through a derivative paradigm the role of the professional helper within self-help groups is presented. (Author/BL)

This manual is designed to assist helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs for older adults on the topic of consumer fraud and deception. In a modular presentation format, the materials address the following areas of concern: (1) types of frauds and deceptions such as money schemes, mail order fraud,…

Counselor burn-out is characterized by feelings of frustration, rigidity, omnipotence, and the like. Reality therapy uses systematic plans to increase love, worth, fun, and self-discipline to deal effectively with burn-out. (Author)

Members of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies were surveyed to assess self-help book utilization. Self-help books were used with clients by 92% of respondents (N=243) some of the time. Differences in selection criteria and practices between master's and doctoral-level respondents are noted. Frequently used books are listed.…

Studies the possibility of developing systematic dilemma counseling into an autonomous mode. Experimental comparisons explore the pervasive situation in which a client successfully concludes a treatment program, only to find some subsequent problem developing in postcounseling life. (Author)

People seeking help for personal problems usually turn to family, friends, and relatives first and then to sources such as neighborhood support systems, self-help groups, and community helpers such as physicians and clergy. These natural support systems need to be used and supported more by mental health professionals. One relationship which could…

This manual is designed to assist those helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs on the topic of retirement income management. In a modular presentation format, the materials focus on the following areas of concern: (1) a personal financial inventory; (2) ways to stretch retirement income; (3) steps to decrease…

Offers some insight and understanding of the stress-producing components of counseling practice. Discusses some of the physical symptoms of burnout and examines why the syndrome is prevalent in the human services. Proposes the development of mutual aid groups as one solution to prevent or minimize burnout. (Author/RC)

This manual is designed to assist those helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs for older adults on the topic of food purchasing and costs. In a modular presentation format, the materials focus on the follwing areas of concern: (1) information on food buying; (2) planning the food budget; (3) shopping for good…

This curriculum guide is designed to assist anyone involved in the organization of self-help mutual aid groups among older persons, based on the assumption that those to be affected must be involved. There are four major sections in the guide which speak to background issues; training of organizers in terms of their roles and functions; four…

This manual is designed to assist those helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs for older adults on the topic of health care and health care costs. Using a modular presentation format, the materials focus on the following areas of concern: (1) self-evaluation and planning for health care needs; (2) methods for…

This manual is designed to assist those helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs for older adults on the topic of housing needs. In a modular presentation format, the materials address the following areas of concern: (1) housing alternatives; (2) subsidized housing; and (3) considerations in deciding where to…

Discusses the potential of self-help/mutual-aid groups as a way to reduce the demand for professional substance-abuse treatment and proposes a model that combines the two approaches for cost-effective and therapeutically effective networks of services. (SLD)

This workbook provides a model for mental health professionals to use in developing and implementing a plan for their self-directed job-related learning and skill enhancement. The materials describe techniques for mastering a specific body of knowledge. Questionnaires are provided to help the user organize individual needs and goals; suggestions…