A Teen's Essential Guide to Social Anxiety Relief

Teens suffering from social anxiety and depression are looking for tools to help themselves. “A Teen’s Essential Guide to Social Anxiety Relief” by Emma Lou Parker seeks to provide such a tool. 

The book offers strategies for coping and even significantly reducing one’s social anxiety. Breathing techniques are explained. Thought distortions are discussed. Positive self-talk is suggested. All of these are great.

However, Parker’s voice is inconsistent throughout (some sections are well-written and well explained), but others leave a lot to be desired as they feel cursory or dismissive. Tone is uplifting in some parts of the book, but in others it feels condescending. As someone who works with teens on a daily basis, I am not sure I could get away with the tone even if I have a good relationship with a particular teen. While I don’t see any obvious trigger warnings (other than discussion of psychological and physical discomfort), I am not sure it is realistic to espouse an elimination of social anxieties (which, again, seems inconsistent).

I read an Advanced Reader’s Copy, but proofreading still needed work. There are numerous spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors throughout. These challenges are beyond what one might use for effect and interfered with my enjoyment of the book.

Despite these concerns, this book would be good for teens who are on the road to self-reflection and are ready to take on the challenges of reducing social anxiety. 

Thanks #NetGalley and Cissy Editions for providing a copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.