Review: The Essential Coping Skills Workbook for Teens by Isabella Finn

I was no stranger to the therapy room as a teenager. As someone who lived with chronic anxiety that would leave me house bound, when my then-therapist taught me how to rewire my brain using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) it was game changer. Had someone handed me the Essential Coping Skills Workbook for Teens back then, I would have (for lack of a better term) devoured it.

Created by Isabella Finn, based off her personal experiences, learnings and time as a parent, this mega workbook is filled with gems. And while Finn is not a certified counsellor or therapist, she has articulated concepts, strategies and ideas well, in an easy to digest way. And the best part? It is empowering for teens, and they learn to embrace their individuality, skills and agency.

What's in the book?

With chapters based on everything from ‘What is CBT’ and ‘DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy,’ to navigating negative self talk, becoming emotionally literate, learning to emotionally regulate, and how to develop healthy relational boundaries, this is an extensive and detailed workbook.

Each chapter is followed by a series of easy to understand and complete exercises, many similar those I have completed over my own years in therapy but with an angle towards teens.

How can parents/guardians use it?

The Essential Coping Skills Workbook for Teens is a gateway for parents and guardians to start a conversation about mental wellbeing with their teen. Don’t just toss this at them and expect them to read it like a textbook, instead read through it first a chapter at a time and figure out what your child needs. Some will benefit from going through this exercise by exercise with you. Others will do better if you simplify and explain a concept in the book, and then suggest they try an activity (aka journaling).

Teens who need to know the facts and theories behind everything will thrive thanks to this book – it clearly explains the psychological concepts and techniques practitioners use in a basic way. But those who struggle to engage with big chunks of text and reading will do better if you condense and explain things to them.

For instance, a child may benefit from CBT and DBT, but they don’t need to know the names of the techniques to find value in them. They just have to practically put the strategies in place like “identify the thought,”  or “practice deep breathing” continually to experience breakthrough.

Where do I begin?

If you’re not sure where to start with this workbook, ask your teen’s therapist! It is filled with life-lessons and skills, and some areas will be more relevant than others at times. See what areas they are working on  (e.g. Emotional literacy, reframing negative thoughts, developing goals) and see how this book can strengthen their work at home. And, how you can better support them.

The Essential Coping Skills Workbook for Teens by Isabella Finn is available now on Amazon.com.au.