Contents of It's not All in Your Head by Asmundson and Taylor

CBT has been modified to make the treatment more efficient, inexpensive, and
expedient. Minimal contact therapies (MCs) are effective treatments that reduce the need
for therapy hours with health providers (Mead et al., 2005; Newman, Erickson,
Przeworski, & Dzus, 2003). Guided self-help is an MC where a therapist introduces
bibliotherapy materials and the effective use of those materials (Mead et al., 2005;
Newman et al., 2003). Clinical psychologists routinely provide or suggest self-help
materials to their clients and self-help exists for a multitude of personal, social, and
behavioural problems including DSM-IV-TR mental disorders (Norcross, 2000).
Individuals can utilize materials alone, with the guidance of trained professionals, or the
materials can be deliberately incorporated into psychotherapy interventions (Campbell &
Smith, 2003). For example, psychoeducation, a key component of CBT treatments for
health anxiety, can be addressed in part using self-help books or similar materials (Barsky
et al., 2004; Bleichhardt et al., 2005; Bouman, 2002; Wattar et al., 2005).
The research literature supports the use of guided self-help in the treatment of
several anxiety disorders (Gould & Clum, 1993; Marrs, 1995). Self-help treatments have
medium to large effect sizes for the reduction of fear and anxiety (average d = 0.74) and
the effect sizes may be maintained post-treatment and at follow-up (Gould & Clum,
1993; Marrs, 1995). Despite the various methods used, self-help and MCs appear to be
valid and beneficial treatments for anxiety disorders such as specific phobia, OCD,
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and mixed anxiety states (Newman
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