Catharine Meyers has worked at New Harbinger Publications since 1995, most recently as associate publisher and head of acquisitions. In 2022, Meyers took over as publisher from Matthew McKay, who co-founded the company in 1973. Meyers now heads a majority-female leadership team to continue New Harbinger’s mission to reduce human suffering. “Suffering is part of the human experience,” notes Sales Director Margo Beren. “It’s how we deal with suffering that determines how we live.”

Based in Oakland, CA, employee-owned New Harbinger—celebrating 50 years in business this year—specializes in evidence-based self-help books and pioneering workbooks to help readers make positive changes in their mental health. Featuring the latest psychological interventions, as well as topics related to personal growth and spirituality, the publisher’s offerings for 2023 continues the work of providing books that help change lives.

Decolonizing the Body: Healing, Body-Centered Practices for Women of Color to Reclaim Confidence, Dignity, and Self-Worth by Kelsey Blackwell, foreword by Christena Cleveland, March 2023, ISBN 9781648480614, offers women of color a gentle, body-based, somatic healing approach to addressing race-based trauma. “We hold trauma in the body just as we would in the brain,” says Beren. “This very timely book reaffirms New Harbinger’s commitment to publishing in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

The Self-Confidence Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness Skills to Help You Overcome Social Anxiety, Be Assertive, and Believe in Yourself by Ashley Vigil-Otero and Christopher Willard, March 2023, ISBN 9781648480492, provides exercises to quiet a teen’s inner critic and develop tools to create an inner ally. Using evidence-based mindfulness skills, this uplifting workbook teaches young readers how to trust in their own abilities, communicate assertively, tolerate uncertainty, and handle criticism.

“I’m thrilled every time we do a book for teens that includes mindfulness,” says Beren. “I saw a panel of teens who talked about mindfulness as a secret gift they were given. One had trouble putting down the smartphone, one had been cutting. Both kids said that mindfulness helped them dramatically. I, of course, cried with joy.”

The Anxiety Happens Guided Journal: Write Your Way to Peace of Mind by John P. Forsyth and Georg H. Eifert, May 2023, ISBN 9781648482113, is written by the foremost experts in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which encourages individuals to make choices based on their values. This guided journal, with daily writing prompts to help readers break free from worry, is part of the “Journals for Change” series. “ACT asks the person to look at their life values and make choices that move towards them,” explains Beren. “ACT has been used successfully to treat issues like anxiety and eating disorders.”

Coming up this summer from the author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (June 2016, ISBN 978-1-62625-170-0), readers can learn practical solutions for transforming relationships in Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People: Avoid Emotional Traps, Stand Up for Your Self, and Transform Your Relationships as an Adult Child of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, July 2023, ISBN 9781648481512. Individuals who grew up with an emotionally immature, selfish, unavailable parent often end up in relationships with controlling, volatile people. This must-have guide to help readers change their perspective and stand up for themselves without fear or guilt.

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