IN GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the recognition and appreciation of positive outcomes in one’s life, acknowledging that these benefits come from sources outside oneself. Those sources include colleagues and readers who have kindly provided reviews and testimonials. It also includes those groups, institutions, and media representatives who have invited me to discuss the book with employees and members.

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Upcoming Events

September 2026: Guest Blog – Wild Ink Publishing
October 14, 2026: 1,200 readers in Branford, CN.
October15. 2026: 3,200 readers in London:
TBD: The Bay, hosted by Mina Kim; KQED 88.5 FM, San Francisco
October 22, 2026: 1,000 readers in Wanstead, England
October 23, 2026: Conversation with Ari Shapiro
TBD: KPBS Public Media hosted by Jade Hindman, San Diego
October 28, 2026: 8,300 readers in San Diego, CA
October 29, 2026: 1,800 readers in St. Paul, MN.
TBD November 2026: 1767 readers in Liverpool

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Reviews and Testimonials

“WHAT STOOD out most is the book’s emphasis on lived experience combined with actionable recovery tools. The framing of social anxiety as something that can be actively challenged, rather than simply analyzed, gives the work a clear sense of direction and accessibility for readers, who are looking for real change… The idea of negative self-beliefs as deeply rooted weeds, and recovery as a process of consistent, hands-on cultivation, translates complex emotional work into something visually and emotionally intuitive.” – SCARLETT MACK

A SURVIVOR’S Common Sense Approach to Recovery from Social Anxiety is one of those books that feels less like a traditional self help manual and more like someone sitting down and saying, “I understand what this feels like, and here are some practical ways forward.”

What stood out to me most was the author’s decision to approach social anxiety from lived experience rather than relying entirely on clinical explanations. Robert F. Mullen draws from his own struggles while presenting ideas in a straightforward and accessible way. The book does not make recovery sound effortless or promise a quick fix. Instead, it emphasizes taking responsibility, challenging destructive thought patterns, building healthier habits, and gradually becoming more comfortable with situations that anxiety encourages us to avoid.

I particularly appreciated the practical nature of the book. The journaling exercises and activities give the reader an opportunity to stop simply reading about recovery and actually work with the ideas. That makes the book feel useful beyond the moment of reading it.

Another strength is the way complex emotional experiences are made easier to understand through relatable concepts and examples. The discussion of self sabotage, negative beliefs, shame, cognitive distortions, neuroplasticity, boundaries, and rebuilding confidence gives the book considerable depth without making it feel like an academic textbook.

What I found especially refreshing is the honesty of the message. Recovery is presented as a process that requires patience and consistent effort. There is encouragement, but there is also realism. That balance makes the advice feel much more trustworthy.

Overall, this is a thoughtful and practical book for anyone who wants to better understand social anxiety and take meaningful steps toward changing the patterns that keep them stuck. It is also valuable for readers who want to understand what living with social anxiety can actually look like from the perspective of someone who has experienced it firsthand.

A compassionate, honest, and practical read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a more grounded approach to overcoming social anxiety.” – EVELYN WOLFF

“ROBERTS book was incredible and stood up to the praise I have heard from others who have benefited from his work. They also said they found it truly engaging in the same way that mine drew them in. That to me was enough to get my attention as it’s always nice to know what exactly people mean by that. I started reading his book just to get a sense of it, and it drew me in right away by his personal sharing of his heart and story with so many wonderful anecdotes of others along with his own.

I couldn’t put it down; hearing about his trials and tribulations and the fact that he even went back to school to get his PhD was impressive and reminded me of the many hours of schooling and certifications I have, finding different approaches to meeting my clients’ needs. He defines the many ways SAD shows up with definitions of each issue, whether it’s intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, compulsive disorders, and not only explains them but offers tried and true methods to heal each one, always reminding you it’s your choice to change IF YOU WANT to.

His vulnerability and healthy ways of combating issues by replacing the negative self talk with affirmations, meditation, etc., utilizing the power of neuroplasticity and breaking down the concepts in easily digestible ways to put you in the driver’s seat of your life is admirable as is his raw, open truth of where he was heading was heart-rending.

This really pulled at my heartstrings:

Consider the inner turmoil of the self-saboteur, who undermines their recovery. This pattern is both learned and deeply destructive. It reinforces our doubts and disrupts our progress. I will give you a personal example. I was on the Hollywood fast track. I failed my audition for The Young and the Restless because the competition intimidated me. When my agent secretly set me up with Norman Lear, who was looking for writers. I fled the meeting, thinking my presence was a mistake. I blew my audition for a film with Bette Davis because I was crashing from speed, and I alienated William Friedkin during a drunken lunch at Musso & Frank’s. I even had the honor of being ‘escorted’ off the Paramount lot. And let’s not forget my Dating Game disaster. I could go on and on, but you get the gist. I share these experiences as evidence of the many opportunities I squandered because my social anxiety persuaded me that I was a waste of space and destined for failure. I was a consummate self-saboteur. Self-saboteurs engage in behaviors that invite failure and hinder success. Nietzsche observed, “Man is his own worst enemy because he has no other choice[16].” But we do have choices. We can choose how we respond to challenges. We can choose to be healthy and happy. The ability to choose wisely is the unshakeable gift that shapes our lives and guides our recovery.

If you want a book to change your life and are up for the work, I would highly recommend this book. I know personally others have benefited from his work, gotten their life back, and no longer suffer from SAD! There is no better way to learn than from someone who’s been in the trenches, done the work, and knows what it takes to get there. He draws from vast, cutting-edge knowledge, and if you are truly ready to roll up your sleeves and want a different outcome in your life, this book is for you!” – CINDY GEORGAKAS, author of Re-Create & Celebrate and Celebrating Poetry.

“A LOT OF BOOKS on anxiety and depression stay clinical or overly theoretical, but this guide carries something far more personal and grounded. [The] practical lived-experience framework is remarkable. Highly recommended for anyone not living up to their full potential.” – MATTY SAVEN

“I WAS EXPECIALLY DRAWN to the way you present recovery as something active and personal, rather than simply explaining the problem, and to the image of an overgrown garden where deeply rooted negative beliefs have to be gradually removed and replaced with something healthier.

What I find meaningful is the book’s focus on helping readers interrupt negative thought patterns, rebuild trust in themselves, and take practical steps toward reconnecting with life. There is something encouraging about a guide that does not pretend recovery is effortless, but gives people tools they can actually work with. I believe that combination of lived experience and professional understanding gives your book the potential to reach many more readers who may be looking for a straightforward and compassionate way forward.” – ANNE TYLER, Pulitzer Prize Winner for Breathing Less.

“BY TRANSLATING negative self-beliefs into something that can be observed, identified, and actively addressed, the book creates a practical bridge between understanding and action … The idea that recovery requires active engagement with tools, habits, and behavioral change reflects a grounded understanding of how social anxiety persists and how it can be meaningfully challenged over time.” – KAELANI REESE WHITMORE

“MOST SOCIAL anxiety books are written by clinicians who studied the condition. Yours was written by someone who lived inside it long enough to know exactly how it lies to you. Your “progression from patient to pioneer gives the book an authority that no amount of research alone could produce.” – ELIZABETH HELP

“THIS IS ONE of the best books I’ve read about social anxiety disorder and how to recover from it.” – P.J. GUDKA, author of Perfect and All the Words I Kept Inside.

“A AURVIVOR’S Common Sense Approach to Recovery from Social Anxiety* is a thoughtful and practical guide that approaches social anxiety from a very human perspective. What stood out to me most was Robert F. Mullen’s ability to combine his own lived experience with practical tools that readers can actually understand and apply. Rather than simply explaining social anxiety, he helps readers recognize patterns such as automatic negative thoughts and cognitive distortions and gives them concrete ways to respond differently.

I particularly appreciated the emphasis on deliberate, repetitive neural input and the idea that recovery is built through consistent, intentional practice rather than expecting one positive experience to change everything. The Character Resume and Fear Situation Plan also make the book feel genuinely useful, giving readers something practical to work with rather than leaving them with general encouragement. Mullen’s honesty about his own struggles and setbacks gives the book an authenticity that makes the advice feel much more personal. Overall, I found this to be an accessible and encouraging resource for anyone trying to better understand social anxiety and take practical steps toward recovery.” – SHARON AUERBACK

“A SURVIVOR’S Common Sense Approach to Recovery from Social Anxiety offers a practical and experience-informed look at social anxiety and the patterns that can keep people stuck. The book explores cognitive distortions, negative self-beliefs, avoidance, shame, confidence, and the possibility of changing deeply established habits. What makes the approach compelling is its focus on applying these ideas rather than simply understanding them. Mullen brings a personal perspective to a subject that is often difficult to discuss openly, while encouraging readers to challenge limiting patterns and take meaningful steps toward greater confidence and engagement with life. A worthwhile resource for readers seeking a practical perspective on recovery.” – ASHLEY MARIE

“A SURVIVOR’S Common Sense Approach to Recovery from Social Anxiety offers a practical and experience-informed look at social anxiety and the patterns that can keep people stuck. The book explores cognitive distortions, negative self-beliefs, avoidance, shame, confidence, and the possibility of changing deeply established habits. What makes the approach compelling is its focus on applying these ideas rather than simply understanding them. Mullen brings a personal perspective to a subject that is often difficult to discuss openly, while encouraging readers to challenge limiting patterns and take meaningful steps toward greater confidence and engagement with life. A worthwhile resource for readers seeking a practical perspective on recovery.” – ELOWEN JADE

“DR. MULLEN’S no-nonsense approach to social anxiety recovery combines personal resilience with actionable neuroplasticity techniques, offering a practical, accountability-based framework that any CEO or solopreneur struggling with social situations can implement. This book moves beyond therapy-speak to deliver concrete tools: from character strength inventories to fear-situation plans, backed by research and genuine expertise earned through decades of helping others reclaim their confidence. It is 437 pages, but it is solid.” – SIERRA MELCHER, author of TYPO. The Art of Imperfect Creation.

“I LOVE how this book focused on both useful exercises for the reader as well as the author’s own personal experiences. As someone with both social anxiety and GAD, I found this book to be super helpful and insightful. However, the exercises are very generic, and you don’t even need to have social anxiety to do them. Again, I enjoyed that the author was someone who also has anxiety, so he was very knowledgeable and empathic toward the readers of this book. Overall, I do recommend this book to others who do struggle with social anxiety (but if you have GAD, these exercises would also benefit you as well.” – BELLA

“A LOT of books in this space stay clinical or overly theoretical, but your “What makes this book genuinely valuable is that you are writing from the far side of the exact thing you are teaching people to overcome … That combination, lived experience paired with a genuine clinical framework in proactive neuroplasticity and DRNI, is rare in this category, where most authors write from either pure personal story or pure academic theory, but not both at once.” – CHRISTIANA JAMES

“THE MANUSCRIPT carries something far more personal and grounded. The way you connect childhood trauma, cognitive distortions, shame, self-sabotage, neuroplasticity, and recovery into a practical, lived experience.” – LISA BRANDON

“THE FACT that this isn’t written from a purely academic perspective, but from someone who personally experienced severe social anxiety and fought through it, combined with your practical “overgrown garden” approach to uprooting negative self-beliefs and building healthier patterns, is exactly the kind of guidance that deserves a real audience.” –  AURORA WILLOW

“WHAT I FOUND that I found especially compelling is that your approach appears to come not only from professional understanding, but from lived experience… [It] gives the book a level of authenticity that readers are likely to find both reassuring and credible.” – JAMES BLACKSTONE

“I AM SIMPLY in awe at the writing, your insights, your deep knowing of transcendence, your intuitive understanding of psychic-physical pain, your connection of the pain to healing, your concept/title, and above all, your innate compassion.” – JANICE PARKER, PHD

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A Survivor’s Common Sense Approach to Recovery from Social Anxiety

(Kindle: $9.99; softcover $16.99; hardcover $26.99.) Amazon

Alternative Review Options

BookBub / Goodreads / Tertulia / Storygraph

“This is one of the best books I’ve read about social anxiety disorder and how to recover from it.” P.J. Gudka, author of Perfect and All the Words I Kept Inside.

To contribute to reader reviews on Amazon, you must have spent at least $50 on Amazon.com using a valid credit or debit card in the past 12 months. 

If you don’t have a Kindle and find the $16.99 price of the paperback out of reach, the publisher allows us to email a PDF copy of the book to anyone willing to post a review. Contact me at rmullenphd@gmail.com, and I will send you a copy.

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ReChanneling develops and implements programs to (1) reduce symptoms of social anxiety and related conditions and (2) pursue personal goals and objectives — harnessing our natural ability for extraordinary living. Our core approach focuses on personality through empathy, collaboration, and program integration, using neuroscience and psychology, including proactive neuroplasticity, cognitive-behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and techniques to rebuild self-esteem. All donations go toward scholarships for groups and workshops.

INDIVIDUAL RECOVERY. The symptoms of social anxiety make it challenging for some to participate in a collective workshop. Dr. Mullen works one-on-one with a select group of individuals uneasy in a group setting. ReChanneling offers scholarships to accommodate the costs. What is absent in group activities is provided in our monthly Graduate Recovery Group. In this supportive community, graduates interact with others who have completed the program.  Contact ‘rmullenphd@gmail.com’.