Overcoming Shame-Based Social Anxiety and Shyness - by Larry Cohen (Paperback)

About the Book

Shame is a major driving force behind social anxiety disorder (SAD) and shyness, and it stems from a core belief that one is fundamentally deficient. Without treatment, SAD can become a lifelong problem affecting careers, relationships, and overall quality of life. Written by the cofounder of the National Social Anxiety Center and drawn from the latest cognitive and behavioral strategies, this comprehensive workbook empowers readers to break the vicious cycle of social anxiety and shame--so they can finally overcome self-defeating beliefs and boost their courage, confidence, and self-esteem.

Book Synopsis

Stop the self-sabotaging beliefs that keep you anxious and afraid--and start building real, meaningful connections with others.

Do you struggle with shyness or social anxiety? Does the fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected interfere with your day-to-day life, or keep you from social gatherings, seeking out friendships, and pursuing romantic relationships? Shame is a major driving force behind shyness and social anxiety, and it stems from the core belief that you are fundamentally flawed or unlikable. Over time, this belief can have a devastating impact on life, work, and relationships. So, how can you boost your confidence, courage, and self-esteem?

Written by the cofounder of the National Social Anxiety Center and drawn from evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), this comprehensive guide empowers you with the tools you need to break the cycle of shame, shyness, and social anxiety, and finally overcome the self-sabotaging beliefs that are holding you back. You'll learn proven-effective skills for challenging self-critical thoughts, as well as strategies for addressing the shame at the root of your social fears. Finally, you'll discover how transforming negative beliefs about yourself is the key to minimizing anxiety, improving your mood, jump-starting your self-confidence, and protecting yourself against old, self-defeating thinking habits.

Overcoming extreme social anxiety and shyness can sometimes seem like an insurmountable task, but with self-awareness, self-compassion, and small steps using the proven-effective strategies outlined in this guide, you can replace fear and shame with a more confident and capable you.

Review Quotes

"A strongly recommended read for anyone whose life is held back by social anxiety disorder (SAD). Larry Cohen draws on a wealth of clinical experience to elegantly outline many of the most effective techniques in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with particular focus on the feelings of shame that accompany much of social anxiety."
--David M. Clark, DPhil, emeritus professor of psychology at the University of Oxford--David M. Clark, DPhil

"Is shyness and social anxiety holding you back? Are you missing out in life and feeling trapped because of it? This book will open the doors to a better, more meaningful, and happier life. Larry Cohen has created an excellent, well-written, and hands-on book that will guide you on your journey to break free from the chains of social anxiety and shyness. Don't wait and suffer in silence. Use this book. It will change your life."
--Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, professor of psychology at Philipps-University Marburg, Germany; and author of CBT for Social Anxiety--Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD

"Larry has made a game-changing contribution to self-therapy for social anxiety. Using years of clinical experience treating socially anxious clients and a deep knowledge of cutting-edge social anxiety treatment research, Larry developed a comprehensive program integrating common approaches to social anxiety treatment. The well-described exercises will help users make ongoing social interactions and performance changes.
--John R. Montopoli, LMFT, LPCC, A-CBT, cofounder of the National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC), and director of Pacific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--John R. Montopoli, LMFT, LPCC, A-CBT

"Larry Cohen has years of experience helping people with social anxiety. In this book, his experience shines through. Larry's empathy and understanding bring alive the life-changing guidelines that he describes. And let's be clear--this book will change your life. It takes scientifically proven methods to treat social anxiety that are explained through Larry's clear, easy-to-follow style. If your life is affected by social fears, this book is for you."
--Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, AM, distinguished professor of psychology at Macquarie University, and author of Helping Your Anxious Child--Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, AM

"This is a carefully constructed and elegant self-help resource. Larry takes our wealth of knowledge about social anxiety and breaks it down into a series of innovative and easy-to-understand steps bolstered with carefully designed practice forms. Third-wave CBT strategies are incorporated into his approach to provide additional tools to overcome social anxiety. As a pioneer in treating social anxiety, Larry infuses wisdom and empathy from his experience into this workbook."
--Vince Greenwood, PhD, executive director of the Washington Center for Cognitive Therapy, and founder of www.dutytoinform.org--Vince Greenwood, PhD

"This terrific workbook will be a boon for anyone seeking to move through the world with greater comfort and confidence. The core idea that social anxiety typically results from feelings of shame about oneself is, in my experience, exactly right. The book draws on the latest research and clinical innovations to provide the reader with practical tools to help overcome social anxiety. This is a book I will be recommending to my patients."
--Stephen J. F. Holland, PsyD, director of the Capital Institute for Cognitive Therapy, and author of Treatment Plans and Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Disorders--Stephen J. F. Holland, PsyD

"This workbook is a terrific resource for individuals dealing with social anxiety, as well as for therapists supporting them. Grounded in evidence-based practices, it is both accessible and highly practical. The workbook offers a clear, step-by-step approach to understanding the core elements of social anxiety, and provides actionable strategies for overcoming it. With a thoughtful blend of insightful instruction, engaging exercises, and helpful examples, this guide is an invaluable tool. I highly recommend it!"
--Judith S. Beck, PhD, president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and author of Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond and Cognitive Therapy for Challenging Problems--Judith S. Beck, PhD

About the Author

Larry Cohen, LICSW, A-CBT, is cofounder and chair of the National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC), an association of more than thirty regional clinics around the US dedicated to fostering evidence-based services to people struggling with social anxiety. He has directed the Social Anxiety Help clinic (NSAC District of Columbia) in Washington, DC, since 1990 where he has provided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for more than 1,000 persons with social anxiety, and has conducted one hundred twenty-week social anxiety CBT groups. Cohen is certified as a diplomate in CBT by the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (ACBT), which has also conferred on him the status of fellow for having "made sustained outstanding contributions to the field of cognitive therapy."

Foreword writer Richard Heimberg, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert on CBT for social anxiety disorder (SAD). He is the Thaddeus L. Bolton Professor Emeritus in the department of psychology and neuroscience at Temple University, where he founded and directed a specialty social anxiety clinic, and he was previously professor in the department of psychology at the University at Albany of the State University of New York.