The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens

Help teens cope more effectively with the ongoing challenges of day-to-day life Offers valuable tools based in mindfulness and self-compassion Fun and tactile exercises grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion Help teens overcome self-judgment and self-criticism  The teen years are a time of change, growth, and—all too often—psychological struggle. To make matters worse, teens are often their own worst critic. The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens offers valuable tools based in mindfulness and self-compassion to help teens overcome self-judgment and self-criticism, cultivate compassion toward themselves and others, and embrace who they really are.  Teens are going through major changes—both physically and mentally. These changes can have a dramatic effect on how teens perceive, understand, and interpret the world around them, leaving teens feeling stressed and anxious. Additionally, teens may also find themselves comparing themselves to others—whether its friends, classmates, or celebrities and models. And all of this comparison can leave a teen feeling like they just aren’t enough. So, how can teens move past feelings of stress and insecurity and start living the life teen really want? Written by psychologist Karen Bluth and based on practices adapted from Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer’s Mindful Self-Compassion program, this workbook offers fun and tactile exercises grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion to help teens cope more effectively with the ongoing challenges of day-to-day life. Teens will learn how to be present with difficult emotions, and respond to these emotions with greater kindness and self-care. By practicing these activities and meditations, teens will learn specific tools to help teen navigate the emotional ups and downs of the teen years with greater ease.  Life is imperfect—and so are we. This book will help teens move past self-criticism and self-judgment and embrace their unique self. Author Karen Bluth, PhD, earned her doctoral degree in child and family studies at the University of Tennessee. She is currently research faculty in the Program on Integrative Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Her work focuses on the roles that mindfulness and self-compassion play in promoting well-being in teens. Bluth was awarded a Francisco J. Varela research award from the Mind and Life Institute in 2012, which allowed her to explore the effects of a mindfulness intervention on adolescents’ well-being through examining stress biomarkers. In spring 2015, she received internal University of North Carolina funding to explore relationships among mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional well-being in teens in grades 7–12. With current NIH funding, she is part of a research team at the University of North Carolina that is studying the teen adaptation of Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer’s Mindful Self-Compassion program. Reviews “A wonderful gift for teens, this workbook brings the wisdom and acceptance of a wise and loving grandparent together with the feeling of having a best friend who really understands. Building upon the Mindful Self-Compassion and Making Friends with Yourself curricula, Karen provides teens with a path toward navigating the challenges of adolescence and developing an inner resource of wisdom and compassion. This workbook can change the course of teenagers’ lives by providing the emotional resilience to get through challenges and pursue their dreams. Teens need never feel alone again.” —Michelle Becker, MA, licensed marriage and family therapist, compassion teacher, cofounder of MSC Teacher Training, and founder of the Compassion for Couples program “Wow! This book gets right to the heart of self-compassion, offering life-changing exercises in the easiest possible way. Written by the top expert on teens and self-compassion, it is based on solid research and the experience of thousands of people whose lives were transformed by the practices. I’ll be recommending this book not only to teens, but also to the teenager in each of us.” —Christopher Germer, PhD, lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion “Teens, this workbook is a fun way of exploring how to more deeply know and care for yourself, your friends, and family. The authors offer lots of creative ways to explore your inner life, get to know yourself better, and take control of your life to build a caring and compassionate world.” —Mark Greenberg, PhD, Bennett Endowed Chair in Prevention Research at Penn State, and author of over 350 journal articles and book chapters on prevention for mental health concerns and the promotion of well-being Softcover, 200 pages, 8 x .5 x 10 inches