Abstract

As a teen, it is incredibly important to have self-confidence, especially when you consider societal pressures about appearance and grades. Just growing up is difficult in and of itself, and in the midst of all this life-related stress, you may not be seeing yourself clearly. In fact, you may be magnifying your weaknesses and minimizing—or even ignoring—your true assets.

Psychologists believe that low self-esteem is at the root of many emotional problems. When you have healthy self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and see yourself as deserving of the respect of others. When you have low self-esteem, you put little value on your opinions and ideas, and may find yourself fading into the background of life. Without some measure of self-worth, you cannot accomplish your goals.

In The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens, you will learn to develop a healthy, realistic view of yourself that includes honest assessments of your weaknesses and strengths, and you will learn to respect yourself, faults and all. You will also learn the difference between self-esteem and being self-centered, self-absorbed, or selfish. Finally, this book will show you how to distinguish the outer appearance of confidence from the quiet, steady, inner acceptance and humility of true self-esteem.

The book also includes practical exercises to help you deal with setbacks and self-doubt, skills for dealing with criticism, and activities that will aid in the development of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-worth. With the right amount of self-confidence, you will have the emotional resources you need to reach your goals.

“This is a brilliant, inspiring book that teaches and guides teens to navigate their inner world, as well as the world they live in. In a masterful piece, Schab has encompassed all aspects of teenagers’ experience: body, mind, spirit, and relationships. The workbook format offers results-oriented lessons for a lifetime of healthy self-esteem. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a teenager or has ever been one.”
—Susan Schwass, LCSW, private practitioner working with teens and their families for thirty-five years
 

“The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens actively engages students in a gentle self-exploration of the ways both internal and external factors influence their self-perceptions and well-being. The workbook is set up with a logical flow that provides information, engages the student in thoughtful self-analysis, and offers reflection on one’s individual strengths and positive attributes. Additionally, the workbook guides students in changing behaviors and thought processes detrimental to their well-being. The scenarios in the book provide relatable, real-life situations of which the adolescent can easily make sense.”
—Wendy Merryman, PhD, counselor in the Central Dauphin School District, working to promote positive personal, social, emotional, and academic growth of students in individual, small-group, and classroom settings
 

“This book offers teenagers empathetic, honest, and clear ways to challenge self-esteem and build self-insight. It touches on everything from society’s external, often overbearing mixed messages, which teenagers encounter daily, to deep, personal internal conflicts and family dynamics. The numerous, unique activities offer teens a safe and positive space to change their thoughts and actions, ultimately helping them to have more successful relationships and high school careers.”
—Nicole Brown, MAAT, LPC, CYI, The Child, Adolescent, and Family Recovery Center and the Child, Adolescent, and Family Development Center


Lisa M. Schab, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a private counseling practice in the greater Chicago area. She has authored fourteen self-help books and workbooks for children, teens, and adults, including The Anxiety Workbook for Teens and Beyond the Blues. Schab teaches self-help workshops for the general public and training seminars for professionals, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). You can find out more about Schab at lisamschabooks.com.
“Lisa Schab's workbook on self-esteem for teens is replete with commonsense exercises and instructions that are all informed by current research and developmental theory. Each of the 'Know This' prefaces illustrate Schab's practical wisdom and advanced clinical skills as a psychotherapist and professional whose knowledge-sets span the emotions, minds, and behaviors of both teens and their families.”
—Randolph Lucente, PhD, professor of adolescent psychology at Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work
“The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens provides a comprehensive, usable format of step-by-step progression toward a healthy self-concept, the foundation of effective learning.  Lisa Schab has developed a program designed to encourage self-reflection, self-awareness, perseverance, and the importance of taking action to improve the situation.  Throughout, teens are counseled to pay attention to and act upon the urgings of the authentic self—an incredibly valuable life skill. The workbook could easily be used by either individuals or groups.”
—Nancy Hanrahan, MA, NCC, school counselor at St. Joseph School, Libertyville, IL
 

“This workbook encompasses all aspects of a teen’s journey to a higher self-esteem.”
—Tracey Engdahl, juvenile corrections counselor
“Adolescence is often a bewildering time when self-esteem gets battered. Teens regularly second-guess themselves and worry about their self-worth, leading them to engage in self-destructive behaviors. This workbook gives readers practical, creative, and empowering tools to not only explore their identity but build self-confidence and make smart, healthy decisions. It also helps teens become critical consumers, discover their passions, navigate peer pressure, and become more compassionate toward themselves and others. It's truly a must-read for any teen!”
—Margarita Tartakovsky, MS, associate editor at psychcentral.com