Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite
CHAIN Links Program for Young Women and Girls with Anxiety by Patricia A. Houchin is a 13-week initiative aimed at equipping girls with therapy-based skills for improved mental health. Through this workbook with a focus on self-love, self-acceptance, and protective factors, participants can share skills and create a supportive network. The CHAIN acronym—Challenging, Helping, Accepting, Influencing, Nurturing—guides exercises promoting self-discovery and positive mental attitudes. Key components include aligning personal values with goals, employing SMART objectives, and addressing negative beliefs with positive affirmations. Techniques such as belly breathing, assertive communication, problem-solving, mindfulness, and acupressure tapping are included to manage anxiety. The book leans into self-care, including gut health, and the role of relationships, boundaries, and spirituality in overall well-being, and readers are encouraged to use the acquired knowledge to enhance their lives and support others.
Patricia A. Houchin's The CHAIN Links Program for Young Women and Girls with Anxiety is a wonderfully comprehensive and practical guide for addressing anxiety through its structured 13-week approach. Instead of chapters, Houchin uses 'links.' Interaction with a reader is paramount and Houchin's prompts offer clear, accessible language and well-organized content that's tailored for young girls and women. There are two things that I loved and stood out to me about this book. The first is what I learned. I honestly didn't have any idea that there is a legitimate distinction between anxiety (anticipation of potential threats) and fear (reaction to immediate threats), and Houchin explains how these responses can lead to chronic stress. The second is the journalling aspect of the program. I cannot tell you how many books I've read for young women regarding anxiety, but this is the first using prompts that a reader can't effectively work forward through without participation. This solidifies Houchin walking the walk since being proactive in growth is crucial. Overall, this is an excellent resource. Very highly recommended.
