Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens: A workbook to break the nine thought habits that are holding you back

This workbook is written for the many teens (adults, too!) who have the tendency to get trapped in gloomy thinking patterns that leave them feeling sad, angry, and anxious. They habitually zoom in on what’s wrong with themselves and the world – assuming they will automatically fail at a new effort, say, or that a friend is judging them critically — rather than take in and consider the whole multifaceted picture. Conquer Negative Thinking For Teens: A Workbook to Break the Nine Thought Habits That Are Holding You Back lays out a highly effective step-by-step method, based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, for changing these “cognitive distortions.” The guided approach includes recognizing a distorted thought as it occurs, understanding how it makes one feel and behave, weighing the evidence for and against it, and coming up with a more realistic thought. The payoff: a happier, more hopeful outlook and the courage to try new things and enjoy life more fully.
Each chapter is dedicated to a single thinking habit: The “I can’t!” habit, catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, zooming in on the negative, “I should, you should” thinking, fortune-telling, mind-reading, blaming, and “it’s not fair!” This allows teens and parents to easily work on the particular pattern or patterns causing them the most distress. Therapists and therapists-in-training will find a wealth of guidance on helping their clients practice the process of cognitive restructuring, as well as related bonus strategies such as behavioral activation and mindfulness.