Assertiveness Training (sometimes called Assertive Training or Social Skills Training) is a sub-set of CBT and is a set of tools in the tool box of every CBT practitioner. However, in the 1970s Assertive Training became very popular as a stand-alone approach with the publication of some best-selling books such as the beautifully titled “When I Say No, I Feel Guilty.” Classes and workshops sprung up like mushrooms on college campuses as well as in non-academic, community-based venues such as “open universities,” church-sponsored classes, neighborhood collectives, etc. Whether as a stand-alone approach or as a sub-set of CBT assertive training remains a  valuable and important tool  in helping people learn to speak up for themselves, be more socially confident and effective, get more of what they want from life without being aggressive, and possibly most important, learning how to handle criticism. All of David Burns basic works spend a lot of time on assertiveness training, especially his wonderful-but-underrated “Intimate Connections.” 

Here are some titles I have hand-picked for you that are bound to be educational, practical and even inspiring.