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| Catharine Meyers | |
For anxiety-ridden individuals, New Harbinger has a solution. "Our books are therapy," said Catharine Meyers, v-p of development. "They're written by experts in the field and present a treatment plan to the reader. In their hands they have a program they can work on themselves and actually overcome their problem."
That's good news for the more than 40 million American adults (18% of the population) that suffer from an anxiety disorder, the most common mental illness in the U.S. and one that has no geographical boundaries. Regardless of where they live, Americans report experiencing comparable levels of stress. On average, it takes someone with an anxiety disorder 16 years to seek assistance, a delay that can lead to further psychological and physical illness.
Far from a one-size-fits-all solution, New Harbinger offers different ways to deal with stress and anxiety and also addresses specific stress factors such as phobias and worrying. The recently published Goodnight Mind by Colleen E. Carney, Ph.D., and Rachel Manber, Ph.D., guides readers on how to tame anxious thoughts and get a good night's sleep. The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety & Shyness by Jan E. Fleming, M.D., and Nancy L. Kocovski, Ph.D., is part of a series centered on new developments in mindfulness and acceptance methods (learning to work with and evaluate your thoughts rather than try to suppress them).
Written in a clear, accessible tone, books incorporate cutting-edge research and proven treatment methods. "We place great emphasis on the fact that our books are evidence based--meaning every one provides information that we know works because research has been done on the techniques that are presented," noted Meyers. "That has been a real driver of our mission from the beginning." New Harbinger has a close relationship with the professional mental health community and consults with therapists on a peer review board it established.
One of New Harbinger's bestselling books has been in print for nearly the entire extent of the company's history. Originally published in 1980, The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook (co-authored by company founder Matthew McKay) has sold close to one million copies and is still going strong. Now in its sixth edition, the book is a go-to source for therapists and others, detailing how to identify your own stress triggers and symptoms and create a personalized plan for reducing stress.
Another highlight is the successful "Five Good Minutes" series, which shows readers how to improve their lives in an attainable way. "The majority of westerners don't have 45 minutes for a sitting meditation to really cultivate a monk-like mind," explained Meyers. "We tapped into one of the biggest hurdles, which is the time you have to put into it." A five-minute morning meditation session can help relieve stress even during the most hectic day. 
Five Good Minutes: 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long launched the series, co-written by Jeffrey Brantley, M.D., founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at Duke Integrative Medicine, followed by Five Good Minutes with the One You Love and other titles.
"Life is never going to be stress free. The key is learning how to deal with stress, and understanding our minds and our bodies," said Meyers. "Helping people do this in a way that gives them a high quality of life is our goal."