This powerful book explains the debilitating effects of social anxiety and the development of the disorder, emphasizing the need for a resolution of this disorder and identifying common but unhelpful coping mechanisms as well as true methods to change and live life unafraid of social situations. It is estimated that some 15 million Americans suffer from social anxiety disorder. For these individuals, parties, sporting events, and even workplaces or public shopping environments evoke anxiety and fear. People who suffer from social anxiety disorder—the most common of all anxiety disorders—fear being scrutinized and judged by others in social or performance situations. They know their fear is unreasonable, but are powerless against the anxiety. This book provides comprehensive coverage of social anxiety disorder by covering its history, explaining the symptoms and root causes, and presenting information on how to make the key changes in thought that can help sufferers find relief and be more comfortable in the modern world. The author uses case histories and dialogue in therapeutic settings to provide a realistic depiction of social anxiety that makes the topic more relevant and understandable to clinicians, students, and friends and family members of sufferers who want to help the socially anxious individual. The emphasis on people's resistance to changing or even examining the basis of their underlying beliefs illustrates the importance of this topic to the overall foundation of social anxiety and the urgency of addressing belief systems in the process of resolution and recovery.

You can't always avoid becoming a manipulator's target, but you CAN avoid becoming a victim. This revealing book gives you the power to resist the people who want to control you. Who is pushing your buttons—and what can you do about it? Coping with Control and Manipulation: Making the Difference Between Being a Target and Becoming a Victim examines the various spheres in which people encounter control and manipulation and shows how avoiding such victimization is absolutely possible. Knowing the players, understanding what motivates them, identifying their goals, and learning the techniques they use can help potential victims avoid, or at least survive, control and manipulation attempts. In her comprehensive look at this potentially harmful human drive, clinical psychologist Vera Sonja Maass shows just how prevalent control and manipulation are. She examines manipulators' goals and techniques as they relate to personality structure and offers a "menu" of techniques commonly used to exercise control. Arming readers through an in-depth analysis of controllers' behaviors toward targeted persons, Dr. Maass enables such targets to predict future actions—and prepare responses that will prevent victimization.

A leading psychologist looks at the pitfalls women face when, like the fairytale Cinderella, they focus on pleasing others and conforming to stereotypes instead of expressing their individuality. In this thought-provoking volume, clinical psychologist Vera Maass examines the negative side of the glory of Cinderella's promise: that women buying into the myth's demand for conformity risk losing their individuality and sacrificing their personal goals. Think the tale is too old or too innocent to be relevant? See television's "The Bachelor." Based on Maass' extensive psychotherapy work and interviews, The Cinderella Test: Would You Really Want the Shoe to Fit? provides answers and strategies to issues raised by clients in therapy and women in the community at large—women of all ages and backgrounds. Maass also integrates stories of women throughout history who broke through limits placed upon them by sociocultural expectations and achieved richer, more fulfilled lives. An eye-opening look at the choices and challenges faced by women today, The Cinderella Test shows the dangers of trying to make the foot fit the slipper, and why and how Cinderella herself should be doing the testing.

Detailing the field of feminist psychology since its origins, this book assesses its early figures, theory, and research as well as current and emerging theory and research and its associations with general feminist beliefs. Feminist psychology developed as a reaction to historical psychological thought, initiated by men who controlled the theory and research of the field. By holding all of society to "norms" based in male behavior, this so-called masculine psychology effectively assigned women lower societal status than men and had disturbing effects on women's health and self-esteem. Feminist Psychology focuses on gender differences, social structure, and the values and principles of women's rights within the world's individual, social, and political spheres. Contrary to popular notion, feminist psychology does not involve man-hating, but instead focuses on loving the concept that women have equal potential to set and achieve goals and to contribute to society. In this volume, psychologist Vera Maass explains the history, theory, research, and current state of this growing field, becoming increasingly popular as colleges offer majors or concentrations in feminist psychology, and argues that women are both different from and equal to men. Assesses the behaviors, mental disorders, and mental health problems that may arise when studies are conducted on men alone Elucidates the errors, injustices, and consequences of gender bias Illustrates concepts through case studies Notes criticisms from the field's detractors to present an objective and fair view Includes a glossary of terms used throughout the text Directs readers to resources for further reading in an appended list

Details each of the 10 personality disorders, in a format that makes locating information easy. Personality Disorders systematically explores 10 personality disorders. Each chapter presents a comprehensive and in-depth picture of a particular disorder and its effects, not only on those who suffer from it but also on family, friends, and colleagues as well as the community at large. Chapters focus on important parameters such as symptoms, diagnosis, incidence, history, development, causes, effects, and costs. Relevant case histories and Up Close sections illustrate how the disorder may manifest in different environments and reveal how the disorder can affect a person's interactions within society, at work, and in personal relationships. Research and theories about each particular disorder are also included. Every chapter closes with a discussion of various treatment approaches and a brief list of references, providing for a meaningful presentation for readers at the undergraduate student level and beyond. Provides a glossary for terms used in association with the disorders Offers a "For Further Reading" section of recommendations for continued study of personality disorders Presents additional resources that can provide further information, assistance, and professional connections Features a detailed index for quick location of specific information

Change is inevitable, and each person handles each event differently, some with more difficulty than others. In Lifestyle Changes, psychologist Vera Maass draws on 25 years of practice experience - and a lifetime filled with changes, growth, and challenges - to present a clinician's guide to working with clients who are facing a fundamental change in their lifestyle. Each chapter explores a different event and its potential impacts on the client's current lifestyle, focusing on positive ways to respond and adapt to the situation. Through a mix of case examples, personal vignettes, sample clinician/client dialog, and engaging language, Lifestyle Changes provides an accessible and practical resource for practitioners that maximizes the potential for positive growth out of each experience.

Change is inevitable, and each person handles each event differently, some with more difficulty than others. In Lifestyle Changes, psychologist Vera Maass draws on 25 years of practice experience - and a lifetime filled with changes, growth, and challenges - to present a clinician's guide to working with clients who are facing a fundamental change in their lifestyle. Each chapter explores a different event and its potential impacts on the client's current lifestyle, focusing on positive ways to respond and adapt to the situation. Through a mix of case examples, personal vignettes, sample clinician/client dialog, and engaging language, Lifestyle Changes provides an accessible and practical resource for practitioners that maximizes the potential for positive growth out of each experience.