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CBT and ACT Skills to Help You Build Social Confidence

Ricky Bell

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Published in The Shyness And Social Anxiety Workbook For Teens: CBT And ACT Skills To Help You Build Social Confidence

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Social confidence is a key ingredient for success in life. It allows us to interact with others in a positive and meaningful way, and it can help us achieve our goals. But for many people, social confidence can be difficult to come by. They may feel shy or anxious around others, and they may avoid social situations altogether.

If you struggle with social confidence, you're not alone. Millions of people around the world suffer from social anxiety disorder, which is a fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. Social anxiety can make it difficult to talk to new people, make friends, or even go out in public.

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

by Jennifer Shannon

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	19405 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	179 pages

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to overcome social anxiety and build social confidence. Two of the most effective therapies for social anxiety are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of therapy that helps you to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, and that by changing one, we can change the others.

In CBT for social anxiety, you will learn to identify the negative thoughts that you have about yourself and others. You will also learn to challenge these thoughts and replace them with more positive ones. You will also learn to develop new coping mechanisms for dealing with social anxiety, such as relaxation techniques and assertiveness training.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a type of therapy that helps you to accept your thoughts and feelings, and to commit to living a meaningful life in spite of them. It is based on the idea that everyone experiences negative thoughts and feelings, and that the key to happiness is not to try to get rid of them, but to learn to accept them and move on.

In ACT for social anxiety, you will learn to accept your anxiety and to stop trying to fight it. You will also learn to identify your values and to commit to living a life that is in line with them. You will also learn mindfulness techniques to help you to stay present and to focus on the present moment.

How CBT and ACT Can Help You Build Social Confidence

CBT and ACT can both be effective in helping you to build social confidence. CBT can help you to change your negative thoughts and behaviors, while ACT can help you to accept your anxiety and to live a meaningful life in spite of it.

Here are some specific examples of how CBT and ACT skills can help you to build social confidence:

**Identify your negative thoughts.** CBT can help you to identify the negative thoughts that you have about yourself and others. Once you know what these thoughts are, you can start to challenge them and replace them with more positive ones.
**Challenge your negative thoughts.** Once you have identified your negative thoughts, you can start to challenge them. Ask yourself if there is any evidence to support these thoughts. Are they really true? Are they helpful? If not, try to replace them with more positive thoughts.
**Develop new coping mechanisms.** CBT can help you to develop new coping mechanisms for dealing with social anxiety. These coping mechanisms might include relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, or social skills training.
**Accept your anxiety.** ACT can help you to accept your anxiety and to stop trying to fight it. Once you accept your anxiety, you can start to live a more meaningful life in spite of it.
**Identify your values.** ACT can help you to identify your values and to commit to living a life that is in line with them. Once you know what your values are, you can start to make choices that are in line with them, even if they make you anxious.
**Practice mindfulness.** ACT can help you to learn mindfulness techniques to help you to stay present and to focus on the present moment. Mindfulness can help you to reduce your anxiety and to live a more fulfilling life.

CBT and ACT are two effective therapies for social anxiety. They can help you to change your negative thoughts and behaviors, accept your anxiety, and live a more meaningful life in spite of it. If you struggle with social confidence, talk to your doctor or mental health professional about whether CBT or ACT might be right for you.

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

by Jennifer Shannon

4.7 out of 5