The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness and Compassion Skills to Overcome Self-Criticism and Embrace Who You Are

I have been a life skills teacher to youth for 17 years, and I am a trained teacher of emotional resiliency programs. This workbook is the first of its kind and is awesome. The content layout is logical in that it provides the problem statement up front to help teens understand why this is important to them. The current situation is described in terms of biological and cultural changes that occur during this period of life. That is followed by introducing perspectives and practices from a scientifically validated toolbox. Most importantly, this workbook speaks directly to teens in language they understand, and experiences they are having. The comments from other teens will help teens hear from their peers, who they trust more than adults. There are other great books on teen mindfulness, but nothing in a workbook format that addresses the important topic of self-compassion. It is hard to read a guided exercise and do it at the same time, so the online recordings are a great resource. The bottom line is that this workbook will help almost any teen understand that they are not broken and they are not alone. All teens go through this and there is a way to successfully navigate the challenges of this period. Every adult who learns this materials states that they wish they could have learned the tools earlier in life. This workbook successfully provides the opportunity to do so.

Purchased for teen daughter- great information and workbook. I did it too!

I can't say enough good things about this book! Self-compassion enables people to be kinder to themselves, and no one needs more kindness and gentleness than today's teens. The author provides proven, practical tools to help teens navigate their increasingly challenging and stressful world. As the mother of girl fast approaching the teen years, I look forward to sharing this amazing book with her. I wish I had had a book like this when I was a teen - what a positive difference it would have made!

Growing up, we were taught to be kind and compassionate toward others. Nobody ever taught us the crucial skills to be kind and compassionate toward ourselves. Fortunately, we have some wonderful, pioneering teachers and now this wonderful book, to help teens learn these life-affirming skills. They can certainly use a healthy dose of self-compassion during this challenging time of their lives. It is an effective, engaging book and comes with my highest recommendation. I wish I'd had these tools when I was a teenager.

This is a truly helpful and accessible book for young people struggling with anxiety and self-criticism, and to feel like they "fit" in their world. I have recommended it to numerous young people and the feedback has been unanimously helpful. All I can say is "thank goodness" this compassionate guide for young people is now available. Well done Dr Karen Bluth.Dr Anna Friis

Easy to use. Gave a copy to 2 close friends daughters. Felt it was a good workbook that is teen friendly!

Easy to understand but kind of written with condescending undertones. I think this was unintentional, but it does put off teens.

I am a youth development practitioner and I returned this book within 15 minutes of receiving it. First off, the layout and typeface (font) are not youth friendly or eye-friendly. It's hard on the eyes. With respect to content, this workbook is a collection of mundane activities more akin to arts and crafts, nature walks and counting to ten, which are closer to anger management than self-compassion. Nothing different from what adults -particularly psychologists-- recommend teens do regularly when adults can't figure out how to address developmental needs. I expected more in-depth and thoughtful ideas but my recommendation is to "move on; there's nothing to see here."

Bought this for my daughter as she goes through a hard period time in her life. She loves it and is helping her.

I am an integrative psychotherapist and trained mindful self compassion teacher. I have had the priviledge of training wit karen Bluth she is dedicated to the wellbeing of teens and her book is a welcome and valuable resource for all teenagers. I am recommending this book to all my clients.

Wonderful resource!

Basically, the sort of book which only helps people who don’t need help.Superficial, ignores main issues.First chapter - drawing is supposed to be ‘calming and relaxing’ ?? - not for me, it’s associated with unhappy experiences,- “we know how to be kind” - no we don’t. This is taken for granted as the starting point of this book, and it is not true.What of someone who has never been treated with kindness in their family, perhaps even punished by the family if someone outside the family treated them well, or if they showed any sign of putting themselves first ?Next chapter : “What would I say to a friend in this situation ?”In my experience most people don’t know what to say that is supportive, even people who come from a good background.Many more examples would be helpful. The book only gives one example and it’s useless.“It’s okay to make a mistake”. If someone is being beaten and screamed at, frozen out, or jeered at, at home or by other teens or teachers when they make a mistake, how are they to believe that ? No advice whatever given about how to believe this statement in adverse circumstances. I stopped reading at this point.‘The Self Compassion Skills Workbook’ by Tim Desmond does acknowledge these issues. It has its limits but is much more helpful - it doesn’t assume you already know how to be kind to yourself before ever opening the book, or assume that you feel safe when trying to do so.

Great concept and lots of work pages.