Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult
The socially phobic adult with avoidant personality and overly dependent behavior presents a complex and daunting therapeutic challenge. In fact, the mental health professions have been confounded by this clinical scenario. This podcast provides critical information for parents and concerned persons of adults who have had a long-term struggle or paralysis with launching. Launching refers to social, academic, career, relationship, and emotional pursuits.
Jonathan Berent, L.C.S.W. has pioneered treatment for social and performance anxiety, having worked with thousands of patients since 1978. He is the author of "Beyond Shyness: How to Conquer Social Anxieties" (Simon & Schuster) and "Work Makes Me Nervous" (Wiley). Jonathan has extensive media experience including Oprah, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, Fox, The New York Times, Newsday, The Chicago Tribune, and The Boston Globe. His website is www.socialanxiety.com.
Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult
Latest Episodes
Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult: Episode 22 - Mother of 35 Year Old Describes Hope and Anguish
"Shirley" is the mother of a 35 year old with a masters degree in psychology who does not work. In this interview she describes her anguish and hope, and the insidious and complex developmental process by which her son learned social avoidance,...
Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult: Episode 21 - Selective Mutism: 7-year-old “Cured”: “ It’s A Whole New World”
Lynn was told that her clingy, selectively mute (for 3 years) six-year-old daughter, would “grow out of it” by the family pediatrician, teachers, and other well intentioned professionals. The problem continued to worsen with time. “Sidney” woul...
Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult: Episode 20 - Psychopharmacology for Social and Performance Anxiety
When I started my psychotherapy practice in 1978, I was doing biofeedback and psychotherapy for stress related disorders to empower patients to heal without medication or to get off medication. Forty-five years and over 60.000 clinical hours la...
Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult: Episode 19 - An Attempt at Magic
“Talking in 5 Sessions” - Zachary did not talk to his mother. He talked only to father and sister. No other person. He was totally shut down. Dad described his son as his “little butterfly”. Mom said her son “broke the glass door” that trapped ...
Parenting The Socially Phobic & Avoidant Adult: Episode 18 - Teaching Parents to be Therapists: 10 Year Old
“We feel we gave birth to a whole new person”"Sophie" never talked in school until 4th grade. No one heard her voice besides parents, grand- parents, and sister. Mom said "we would do anything to set her free; nothing worked". Now...