Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is growing in popularity as an efficient and long lasting treatment for many different types of psychologocal problem. This is one of the most basic and most effective treatments for social anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety includes three main types of strategies: cognitive therapy, exposure to feared situations, and improving social skills.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy emphasizes changing thoughts and beliefs. In cognitive therapy, a therapist helps you identify maladaptive thinking patterns and replace them with new ways of thinking. He or she also teaches you relaxation techniques and new behaviors that make you feel more comfortable in social situations.
Exposure to Feared Situations
During prolonged exposire, the individual learns that the feared situation is actually safe. Over time, exposire to feared situations reduces all aspects of the anxiety response - physiological arousal, the behavioral tendency to avoid, negative or catastrophic thoughts, and the unpleasant emotions that accompany these reactions.
Improving Social Skills
Social-skill training can give adolescents numerous opportunities to learn and practice a variety of techniques, including how to start a converstation, how to meet new people, how to join and leave a social group. and how to give and receive feedback.
