General

Shame can be a difficult emotion to recognize because it doesn't always look like shame. Sometimes it shows up as anger, avoidance, defensiveness, shutting down, or just wanting to disappear.

This worksheet, adapted from concepts from ACT, helps people slow things down and look at:

• What triggered the shame

• How it showed up in thoughts, feelings, and behavior

• The important difference between shame and guilt

• What shame may be pushing them to do

If you work with children, adolescents, or families, this is an excellent resource to keep on hand.

Created by the UCLA CARES Center, this one-page handout explains social anxiety in a way that's easy for families to understand while remaining grounded in evidence. It highlights:

• Common signs and symptoms of social anxiety

• When social anxiety becomes more than typical shyness (persistence, distress, and impairment)

• How social anxiety can affect school, friendships, and family life

• An overview of evidence-based treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

🆓 Free Mental Health Resource

This free guide includes dozens of worksheets, reflection activities, and practical strategies covering topics such as:

• Stress management

• Anxiety

• Self-care

• Boundaries

This week's free resource is Rethinking Drinking, an interesting guide from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

One of the things I appreciate most about this resource is its practical, nonjudgmental, and person-centered approach. Rather than telling people what they "should" do, it encourages them to better understand their relationship with alcohol, explore their own reasons for change, and make informed decisions that fit their goals.

Inside you'll find:

• Information about standard drink sizes and low-risk drinking guidelines

• Education about alcohol use and health

• A balanced pros and cons exercise to explore readiness for change