If you have social anxiety, change is hard, and making it stick can be even harder. In this empathic guide, psychologist and anxiety expert Deborah Dobson helps you better understand social anxiety and get out into the world with more confidence. The book is packed with ideas and tips for approaching frequently avoided situations--from making small talk to public speaking to asking someone on a date--one manageable step at a time. Concise, encouraging chapters feature vivid stories, examples, and downloadable practical tools. Dive into this book cover to cover or turn to it when specific problems arise. Getting out of your comfort zone is scary and will feel risky, but it opens up new pathways to the life you really want.

Deborah Dobson, PhD, specialized in treatment of people with social anxiety disorder in her decades-long career as a clinical psychologist. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2023, she continues to provide training and consultation in cognitive-behavioral therapy, and is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. A recipient of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award for her advocacy work in mental health, Dr. Dobson is a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Canadian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, and the Canadian Psychological Association.