Mildred Newman

Mildred Newman (; 1919/20 — November 6, 2001) was an American psychologist and author known for her self-help books.

Early life Newman's mother was from Russia, and Newman grew up in Manhattan. Newman gained an undergraduate degree (1940) and a master's degree (1943) from Hunter College. Prior to working as a psychologist, Newman spent time studying modern dance and was an artists' model. She realized that her patients needed a place to have positive feedback, and in 1971 she and her husband Bernard Berkowitz started a book that became How to Be Your Own Best Friend. She and her husband treated so many celebrities that they were known as "therapists of the stars". Perkins's friend and collaborator Stephen Sondheim described Newman to author Mark Harris as "completely unethical and a danger to humanity."

Personal life Her first husband was Philip Newman, though they later divorced. Newman died of a pulmonary embolism on November 6, 2001, aged 81.