Face Your Fears

My most recent book is titled Face Your Fears: A Proven Plan to Beat Anxiety, Panic, Phobias, and Obsessions. It is published by John Wiley & Sons, and is available at Amazon or at your local bookseller.

Book Description

Everyone experiences fear and anxiety, but when fear begins to dominate your life, it can be devastating. You don’t have to live that way. Whether you suffer from moderate anxiety or debilitating fear, a specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or any other form of anxiety, Face Your Fears will change the way you think about fear and what to do about it.

This up-to-date, evidence-based, user-friendly self-help guide to beating phobias and overcoming anxieties walks you step by step through the process of choosing courage and freedom over fear. In Face Your Fears, celebrated therapist Dr. David Tolin introduces a highly effective and scientifically proven treatment called exposure therapy, in which you gradually confront your fears. Drawing on moving stories from the hundreds of patients he has treated successfully, Dr. Tolin defines the six different types of anxiety and helps you determine which type you need to overcome. He guides you step by step through the gradual exposure process as you learn how to eliminate crutches and safety behaviors, address scary thoughts, and examine the evidence. You’ll learn how to track your progress and you’ll feel yourself taking back control of your life one exposure at a time.

With Dr. Tolin’s gentle, confident guidance, you will learn to face and beat:

Fears of specific situations or objects (such as animals, heights, and blood)
Fears of body sensations (including panic attacks and health anxieties)
Social and performance fears (fears of social interaction, public speaking, and asserting yourself)
Obsessive fears (including fears of contamination and imperfection as well as scary thoughts)
Excessive worries (such as worrying about everything and intolerance of uncertainty)
Post-traumatic fears (fears of trauma-related situations and painful memories)

Once you feel better, Dr. Tolin helps you maintain your newfound freedom for years to come. By understanding and preparing for circumstances that might cause your fear to return, you can take practical steps to prevent it from coming back and to overcome it quickly if it does.

You know what it feels like to live in fear. Now it’s time to rediscover what life feels like without it. Face Your Fears delivers the no-nonsense, scientifically proven tools you need to take control of your life and your future. Dr. Tolin walks you step by step through the process of choosing courage and freedom over fear.

Critical Praise for Face Your Fears

Awards

Face Your Fears was awarded the 2011 Self-Help Seal of Merit Award from the Association for Behavioral And Cognitive Therapies.

Reviews from experts in the field

“An expert in anxiety disorders, Dr. Tolin has drawn on his extensive scientific knowledge, clinical wisdom, and experience to make the most effective treatment for fear and anxiety accessible in this terrific user-friendly self-help book. If you suffer from problems with panic, anxiety, or phobias, look no further—this is the book for you. Use it on your own or work through it with a therapist. You can beat anxiety and fear by facing your fears.”

Jonathan S. Abramowitz, Ph.D.

Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Author of Getting Over OCD

Professor and Associate Chair of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“Exposure therapy really works for people with anxiety. Dr. David Tolin explains why it works but more importantly, he shows how to make it work for you in this clear, step-by-step guide to facing your fears so you can get better from anxiety.”

Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, LCSW-C, and Caroline DuPont, M.D.

Coauthors of The Anxiety Cure and The Anxiety Cure for Kids: A Guide for Parents

“Filled with powerful, clear, and evidence-based strategies to alleviate fear and enhance life satisfaction, this book will change lives.”

Lizabeth Roemer, Ph.D.

Coauthor of The Mindful Way through Anxiety

Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston

“Dr. David Tolin is a master at helping people understand why they are afraid and helping them overcome the problem. This easy-to-read guide blends compelling personal stories with up-to-date methods for assessing fears and obsessions, understanding them, and fixing the problem at its source.”

Gail Steketee, Ph.D.

Author of Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things

Dean and Professor, Boston University School of Social Work

Reviews from Amazon.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, January 8, 2012

By Jstyle

There comes a point where you have to make the decision to move towards self-actualizing or stay where you are…. to jump out of the nest or stay in it. There is a pull in all of us that is begging us to become who we want to become. But there are these barriers that are like monsters that hold us back; this book helps to destroy the monsters. Awesome.

P.S. This book is also extremely helpful in learning how to conceptualize anxiety disorders.

5.0 out of 5 stars He does it again!, January 16, 2012

By Erin

I have never been a big frequenter of the self-help section in book stores. I always preferred Dramas and Mysteries. However, Being a psychology major and a generalized anxiety disorder sufferer I have always been a HUGE fan of Dr David Tolin’s work. His amazing work on The OCD Project, Hoarders and his book Buried in Treasures have always left me wanting more from him. This book is no different. This book is a must read for Psychology Majors, Anyone suffering from anxiety disorders, fear, OCD or even if you have mild anxiety every now and again(who doesn’t these days)? This book is for you. It’s loaded with helpful information in overcoming the obstacles in your life that prevent you from achieving your full potential and happiness. This book isn’t just another one time read to throw in the back in your closet when you are finished with it. This book is an investment that you will keep coming back to over and over again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Help, February 5, 2012

By divador

Having watched Dr. Tolin’s show about OCD, I knew this book would be a good one. My son has anxiety disorders and I found this book to be very informative and helpful. My son was amazed that all the things he thinks are crazy are actually part of these disorders. There are a lot of self-help exercises that my son has started. It is not easy and will be a long road but hopefully with Dr. Tolin’s help things will turn around.

Love the book and very worth reading.

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and easy to read, January 17, 2012

By JoshP

I have read a lot of books on OCD and anxiety and this one is by far the easiest to read and implement. Dr. Tolin explains the science behind his methods without bogging the reader down