CBT and Therapy for Social Anxiety

What is social anxiety?

Social anxiety is an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed or seen negatively by other people. Most people feel nervous in some social situations. With social anxiety, the fear is strong and lasting, and it leads you to avoid situations or get through them with a lot of distress. It tends to keep itself going in a cycle.

Worry beforehand

Thinking about everything that could go wrong, sometimes for days or weeks before.

Focus on yourself

Monitoring how you look and sound, and assuming others can see how anxious you feel.

Safety behaviours

Rehearsing what to say, avoiding eye contact or staying quiet, to get through it.

Going over it after

Replaying the conversation and focusing on what you think went wrong.

Focusing on how you come across, and relying on safety behaviours, can make you feel more awkward. They also stop you finding out that the situation would probably have gone fine without them.

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety

Common signs include:

Worrying for days or weeks before social events
Fear of being judged, embarrassed or saying the wrong thing
Avoiding meetings, presentations, parties or phone calls
Blushing, sweating, shaking or a racing heart around other people
Rehearsing what you'll say, or staying quiet to avoid attention
Going over conversations afterwards and focusing on what went wrong
Feeling as though people can see how anxious you are
Turning down opportunities at work or socially because of the fear

Social anxiety often overlaps with low mood and other forms of anxiety. Early sessions focus on understanding what is going on, so you get the right support.

How therapy for social anxiety works

Map the cycle

We look at the situations you find hard, what you fear will happen, and what you do to cope. This shows what keeps the anxiety going for you.

Test it out

This usually covers:

Attention

Shifting your focus away from monitoring yourself and onto the conversation and people around you.

Safety behaviours

Dropping them gradually, to see what actually happens without them.

Facing situations

Taking on situations you've been avoiding, step by step and at a pace you agree to.

Before and after

Reducing the worry beforehand and the replaying afterwards.

Individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder is the most researched psychological treatment, and it is recommended as the first treatment to try. Sessions draw on CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Working with Hudson or Viviana

Hudson Kent

Hudson works with adults on social anxiety, self-esteem and confidence, including the pressure of presenting, speaking up and being visible at work.

Read Hudson's profile

Viviana Cavuoto

Viviana is a registered psychologist and registered nurse. She works with adults on anxiety, self-esteem, confidence and assertiveness.

Read Viviana's profile

To claim a Medicare rebate, ask your usual GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to Hudson Kent or Viviana Cavuoto at Mentum Psychology. If you're not sure who to see, your GP can simply refer you to Mentum Psychology, and we'll have a chat with you about who is the best fit. To find out more, read how to get a referral.

Fees & rebates

Common questions

Is social anxiety the same as shyness?

No. Shyness is a common personality trait. Social anxiety involves a stronger fear of judgement that causes real distress, or leads you to avoid things that matter to you.

Does CBT work for social anxiety?

Yes. Research comparing treatments found individual CBT was the most effective psychological treatment for social anxiety, and clinical guidelines recommend it as the first treatment to offer.

Can I start with video or phone sessions?

Yes. Many people find it easier to start by video. Sessions are mostly by video or phone, and some face-to-face sessions in Highett and Keysborough may be available on request, subject to room availability.

Will I have to do things that make me anxious?

Facing feared situations is an important part of therapy, but you won't be pushed into anything. We plan each step together and go at a pace you're comfortable with.

Can I see a psychologist without a GP referral?

Yes. You can book privately. A GP referral is only needed to claim a Medicare rebate. Read how to get a referral.

Meet our psychologists

Research

Clark, D. M., & Wells, A. (1995). A cognitive model of social phobia. In R. G. Heimberg, M. R. Liebowitz, D. A. Hope, & F. R. Schneier (Eds.), Social phobia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment (pp. 69–93). Guilford Press.
Mayo-Wilson, E., Dias, S., Mavranezouli, I., Kew, K., Clark, D. M., Ades, A. E., & Pilling, S. (2014). Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 1(5), 368–376.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2013). Social anxiety disorder: Recognition, assessment and treatment (Clinical guideline CG159).
Warnock-Parkes, E., Wild, J., Thew, G. R., Kerr, A., Grey, N., Stott, R., Ehlers, A., & Clark, D. M. (2020). Treating social anxiety disorder remotely with cognitive therapy. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13, e30.

Get in touch

01Enquire. Fill out the short form below. Takes about 1 minute.

02We call you. A short call to make sure we are the right fit before booking.

03First session. By video, phone or in person, whichever suits you.