The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: CBT and ACT Skills to Help You Build Social Confidence

by Christine Padesky (Foreword by)

Overview

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just flick a switch and make your shyness go away? No more worrying about what others think about you, no more embarrassment in front of other people. You could just relax and feel comfortable and confident, the way you probably think everyone else feels.

If you struggle with shyness, you’re all too familiar with the feeling of not knowing what to do or say, and you’ll do anything to avoid feeling that way. But, most likely, you also know that you’re missing out on a lot—friendships, potential relationships, and fun. You’ve chosen this book because you’re ready to stop hiding behind your shyness and start enjoying everything life has to offer.

The worksheets and exercises in The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens will help you learn to handle awkward social situations with grace and confidence, so you can make real connections with people you want to get to know. Based in proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the skills you learn will also help you speak up for yourself when you need to and stop dreading class projects that put you on the spot. Actually, there’s no aspect of your life that this workbook won’t help. So why let shyness rule your life one day longer? Let this workbook guide the way to a more confident, outgoing you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608821877
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	06/01/2012
Pages:	136
Sales rank:	53,446
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

A few years ago, my 13 year old seventh grader called me to come pick her up at school. She said she felt dizzy and sick to her stomach. However, once home she experienced a full recovery. I didn’t think much of it until she began complaining about going to school every morning. She said she felt awkward and uncomfortable around her peers and that she could not tell if they liked her. She dreaded lunch because she was not sure who she would sit next to. It took more and more coercing to get her to go to school each day, until one morning she refused to get in the car and said she would rather die then go to school.

At this point it was clear to me that my daughter was suffering from social anxiety disorder. I knew this because I am a cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in treating teens and adults with anxiety. However, treating the clients who come in to see me is completely different then treating my own daughter. In fact she made it very clear that she did not want me to try to be her therapist!

I did some research, looking for books that might help a teen with social anxiety. Social anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder, especially among teens, so I assumed that it wouldn’t be difficult to find a book to give to her. It turned out there were plenty of books for adults but none for teens. I knew my daughter wouldn’t read a thick, wordy book with adult situations and perspectives.

This experience with my daughter inspired me to write The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens. During the three years it took me to write the book my daughter made great strides and was very instrumental in helping me to keep a teen-friendly approach. I hope this book will help teens who suffer from this debilitating problem to know they are not alone and that there are effective solutions to overcoming their anxiety.

In addition to being the mother of three grown children I am the clinical director of the Santa Rosa Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Santa Rosa California. I have been a therapist since 1985 and have always worked with children as well as adults. I was originally trained as more of a psychodynamic or "talk" therapist. While it seemed my clients felt better, I was not seeing lasting change in their behavior. Then several years ago I attended a UC Berkeley course taught by my first mentor, Michael Tompkins Ph.D. on evidence based treatment. What this means is treatment that has been found by scientific studies to be the most effective for specific mental health problems. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT was found to be the most effective treatment for the most common disorders such as anxiety and depression. I began to avidly study CBT, going to workshops, reading books and consulting with masters in the field, including Michael Tompkins, Ph.D, Christine Padesky, PhD. and Jacquline Persons, Ph.D. Practicing CBT has been the most rewarding thing I have done.

Currently I work with children, teens and adults specializing in Anxiety Disorders, including Social Anxiety or extreme shyness, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Separation Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and some types of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. I am a Certified Diplomat of The Academy of Cognitive Therapy and a member of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, the Association For Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the International OCD Foundation.

Editorial Reviews

“This book is superb! No longer will teens need to suffer with anxiety and be on the sidelines of life. Full of clear, effective, and engaging strategies, this workbook will show teens exactly what to do to overcome their fears and shyness and will reassure them that they are not alone. Truly, every teen struggles with these issues to varying degrees. All teenagers would benefit from reading this book.”
—Tamar Chansky, PhD, author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety and Freeing Yourself from Anxiety

“With The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens, Jennifer Shannon has hit a bull’s-eye. Each page is fun, engaging, and filled with practical strategies to help teens break free from their social fears and worries. The book is certain to become an essential resource for teens, parents, and therapists. I highly recommend it.”
—Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, founding partner of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and author of My Anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic

“Teens who follow the steps described in this book can overcome shyness and social anxiety and change their life path. Shannon’s recommendations are based on the latest scientific findings, and are accompanied by delightful cartoons and drawings. An outstanding contribution.”
—Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and clinical professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley

“Good basic information on social anxiety as well as how to overcome it using cognitive behavioral therapy. The concise text and abundant illustrations make the book available, easy to grasp, and engaging for teens.”
—Edmund J. Bourne, PhD, author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook

“This practical and straightforward book is highly recommended for any teen who worries too much about being judged by others. These tried-and-true strategies have been shown over and over to be among the most effective methods for reducing social anxiety. Every teen who struggles with shyness should read this book!”
—Martin M. Antony, PhD, ABPP, chair of the department of psychology at Ryerson University and author of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook

From the Publisher