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

by Jennifer Shannon, Doug Shannon (Illustrator)

Overview

The essential go-to workbook for shy and socially anxious teens—now fully revised and updated with skills for dealing with social media anxiety and “social perfectionism.”

Do you feel shy when meeting new people? Do you freeze up when speaking in front of a group? Do you worry about what others think of you? If you struggle with shyness or social anxiety, you may try to avoid situations that cause you to feel uneasy. The problem is, avoiding stuff can also lead to missing out―on friendships, fun, and opportunities. If you’re ready to stop hiding behind your shyness and start enjoying everything life has to offer, this workbook is your guide.

The fun and easy worksheets and exercises in this fully revised and updated second edition of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens will show you how to handle any kind of social situation with confidence, so you can connect with others and create great friendships. Based in proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), the skills in this guide will also help you speak up for yourself when you need to, and stop dreading situations that put you on the spot—whether you’re called upon in class, interviewing for a job, or introducing yourself to new people.

This new edition also includes tons of tips to help you navigate the world of social media; and self-compassion skills to help you stop comparing yourself to others, deal constructively with criticism, and stop worrying so much about what other people think. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to move beyond “social perfectionism,” and set realistic goals for yourself.

So, why let shyness and social anxiety run your life? With this workbook, you can discover a more confident, outgoing you.

In these increasingly challenging times, teens need mental health resources more than ever. With more than 1.6 million copies sold worldwide, Instant Help Books for teens are easy to use, proven-effective, and recommended by therapists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684038039
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	02/01/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Shannon, LMFT, is a psychotherapist, and author of Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind, The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens, and A Teen’s Guide to Getting Stuff Done. She is a diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.

Illustrator Doug Shannon is a freelance cartoonist.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Socially Anxious Are You Missing Out? 3

Chapter 2 Why Me? The Origins of Social Anxiety 7

Chapter 3 Chain Reaction Automatic Thoughts, Anxious Feelings, and Avoidance 14

Chapter 4 Slowing it Down Recognizing Your Own Chain Reactions 24

Chapter 5 Disastrous Distortions Don't Believe Every Thought You Think 33

Chapter 6 Social Perfectionism The Path to Nowhere 51

Chapter 7 What Was I Thinking? Two Ways to Test Your Thoughts 61

Chapter 8 Talking Back to Your Thoughts Training Your Brain to Challenge and Cope 72

Chapter 9 To the Rescue! Coping with Criticism-Real, Imagined, and Self-inflicted 78

Chapter 10 Building the Ladder From Avoidance to Action 86

Chapter 11 Charting Success Preparing for and Evaluating Exposures 98

Chapter 12 Bella's ladder Exposure, Exposure, Exposure 113

Chapter 13 Troubleshooting What to Do When You Get Stuck 137

Chapter 14 Above and Beyond How Mistakes Make You Stronger 145

Conclusion 149

Appendices: For Teens and Their Parents or Guardians 151

Appendix A About Therapy and Medication 152

Appendix B Helpful Resources 158

Appendix C Paruresis 160

Appendix D Other Common Types of Anxiety 163

Interviews

Shannon resides in Santa Rosa, CA.
 

Editorial Reviews

“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 coauthor of My Anxious Mind

Michael A. Tompkins

“The new edition of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens is a gift for teens and therapists alike. Jennifer Shannon presents evidence-based cognitive behavioral principles and practices with empathy and warmth, and the dynamic, comic book-like illustrations really bring the concepts to life. Teens who complete this workbook are sure to understand their social anxiety better—and how to move through it to a more fulfilling life.”
—Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, clinical psychologist, and coauthor of CBT Deck for Kids and Teens

Seth J. Gillihan

“A fabulous tool. One of the best books I’ve read on teen social anxiety!”
—Lisa M. Schab, LCSW, psychotherapist, and author of eighteen self-help books, including The Anxiety Workbook for Teens and the guided anxiety journal for teens, Put Your Worries Here

Lisa M. Schab

“With the second edition of her book, Jennifer Shannon has taken all the amazing tips and insights from the first edition and put them into the media-saturated context of teens today. The engaging illustrations and easy-to-understand tools make this an approachable resource for even the most anxious of teens.”
—Litsa R. Tanner, MS, MFT, clinical director and cofounder of the Santa Rosa Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and adjunct professor in counseling psychology at the University of San Francisco

Litsa R. Tanner

“Good basic information on social anxiety, as well as how to overcome it using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 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

Edmund J. Bourne

“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

Jacqueline B. Persons

“I loved the first edition, and this update is even better! Jennifer Shannon offers a clear guide to undoing the inhibiting effects social anxiety, and social media, can have on teens making their way in school and the world. The illustrations speak thousands of words! She charts a direct path to leaving shyness and loneliness behind. Let her be your guide.”
—David Carbonell, PhD, creator of www.anxietycoach.com, and author of Panic Attacks Workbook, The Worry Trick, Fear of Flying Workbook, and Outsmart Your Anxious Brain

David Carbonell

“Jennifer Shannon, an expert in the treatment of anxiety, provides a practical and engaging update of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens. She offers a straightforward and evidence-based approach with strategies that are all eminently doable. The chapter on social perfectionism—on overcoming the belief that one can’t ever make mistakes—is particularly compelling. And, as a bonus, illustrations highlighting the key points further enhance the content.”
—Mary K. Alvord, PhD, psychologist, and coauthor of Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens and Resilience Builder Program for Children and Adolescents

Mary K. Alvord

“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

Tamar Chansky

“This workbook is fantastic! If you read it carefully, collaborate with the material, and do the exercises, you will get better. It’s easy to follow, with wonderful illustrations and relatable stories. Social anxiety is not a life sentence. Jennifer Shannon’s book will walk you through the steps you need to take to overcome your fears and feel comfortable in social situations.”
—Ken Goodman, LCSW, creator of The Anxiety Solution Series, and author of The Emetophobia Manual

Ken Goodman

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