Living Well with Social Anxiety: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life - Hardcover

by Deborah Dobson (Author)

For people with social anxiety--whether in treatment or not--change is hard, and making it stick can be even harder. Psychologist and anxiety expert Deborah Dobson provides tools and tips for getting out into the world with more confidence in this empathic guide for anyone struggling with extreme shyness or self-consciousness. Concise, encouraging chapters and downloadable practical tools help readers understand social anxiety and open up new pathways to socializing without fear. Vivid stories and examples illustrate how to test new ways of thinking and behaving that can make in-person interactions easier, even for those who prefer remote work and play. Readers will want to dive into this book cover to cover or turn to it when specific problems arise. Drawing on the proven strategies of cognitive-behavioral therapy, Dr. Dobson shares tips for approaching frequently avoided situations--from making small talk to public speaking to asking someone on a date--one manageable step at a time.

Author Biography

Deborah Dobson, PhD, specialized in treatment of people with social anxiety disorder in her decades-long career as a clinical psychologist. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2023, she continues to provide training and consultation in cognitive-behavioral therapy, and is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. A recipient of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award for her advocacy work in mental health, Dr. Dobson is a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Canadian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, and the Canadian Psychological Association.