CBT For Social Anxiety

When we feel self-confident in social situations, we can make the most out of enjoyable encounters and hold the ability to manage challenging ones, effectively.

If you struggle with social anxiety or social phobia, any social situation good or challenging, can become a psychological and physiological nightmare, evoking high levels of anxiety and distress. In an attempt to cope, many people begin avoiding social situations and become increasingly self-critical, unhappy and lonely.

With the right tools, you can stop social anxiety disorder from ruining your life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of Social Anxiety and Social Phobia.

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What is Social Anxiety?

Social Anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a condition, which makes people fear social situations. The level of fear can range from extremely anxious to completely overwhelming. To cope with it, many people try to avoid social situations and at times, even thinking about a social situation can bring on distressing anxiety. A fear of being judged, embarrassed or compared to others in a belittling manner is at the centre of this disorder. Many people can recognise that their fears are not wholly rational, however, they still feel powerless in their ability to stop the anxiety. 

What are the Benefits of CBT for Social Anxiety?

  • Discover how certain thinking patterns feed social anxiety symptoms and can lead you to engage in unhelpful habits, which keep you stuck.
  • Learn how to turn around problematic thinking and replace it with a fresh perspective, that enables you to feel more confident and at ease, in social situations
  • Discover new behaviours and strategies that help reduce the painful and intense physiological symptoms, which can arise from social anxiety
  • Learn how to manage situations, which previously filled you with fear and dread, by adopting strategies that help you feel comfortable, confident and happy.

How Does CBT Therapy Work?

Your therapist will work with you, to help you:

  • Make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into small parts
  • Establish achievable goals that you want from your therapy
  • Develop new thinking and behaviour patterns
  • Develop skills and strategies for problem solving
  • End your CBT therapy sessions when you feel you’ve achieved your goals

Integrative Psychotherapy Treatment for Social Anxiety

The primary focus in CBT is the here and now situations, which trigger your social anxiety. It does not explore the roots of where your social anxiety may have originated. Whilst many people can feel better and more able to cope for quite a while and even completely, following a course of CBT, some people find symptoms return or the social anxiety simply shifts to a different situation. In such instances, other psychotherapies, which also identify and address the root cause of your social anxiety, may help you to achieve a more lasting outcome.

At KlearMinds we always take an integrated psychotherapy approach to treating social anxiety because we believe, if you address both the roots and the here and now triggers, your chances of lasting success and not needing further therapy in the future, are better.

You can learn more about the range of psychotherapy approaches we use to help people by clicking: psychotherapy at KlearMinds.

Therapy Reviews

Build Self-Confidence and Overcome Relationship Problems
….I had tried counselling before and thought it wasn’t for me. I now realise that finding the right counsellor makes all the difference. I went to see Maggie when I felt I was no longer able to cope and everything in my life was going wrong…. I cannot recommend Maggie enough. I feel in control, grounded and confident… capable of moving forward in my life. My sessions with her have not only helped me gain…. Read More
A very grateful Lawyer!
Control Anxiety – Depression – Improve Relationships – Career Coaching
…therapy with Judy… has changed my life forever. I suffered daily from anxiety and.. negative thought[s].. holding me back..in my relationships… during lockdown..i was put at risk of redundancy.. I saw 3 different therapists before this, none of which really understood and helped me… Judy helped me understand things… control my anxiety… get back on track… I was blown away with her…. Read More
Events Producer
Help to Find the Best Therapist
…KlearMinds seems to put thought and care into matching their clients with the right therapist. When I initially called… a very kind woman who basically gave me a free therapy session, spending almost an hour on the phone with me, before matching me with the best therapist I’ve ever had. …. Paul was amazing… he was an integral part of getting me through… Read More
Anonymous
Overcoming Anxiety & Work Stress – Improving Career & Relationships
After a number of false starts with therapists, I can only say that I wish I had found Maggie sooner!… Over a period of 15 years I had seen multiple therapists and psychiatrists to address issues relating to anxiety, depression and workplace stress…. Maggie really helped me to elucidate and articulate the origins of deeply embedded patterns of negative and self defeating thinking, which proved essential… Read More
Dan, Civil Servant
Manage ADHD, Feel Empowered & in Control
the 10.. therapy..sessions… has truly left a profound impact on my life. Judy… equipped me with invaluable tools to better manage various aspects of my life. The sessions were instrumental in fostering positive changes, and I now feel more empowered and capable of navigating life’s challenges with a new found sense of control. Judy’s expertise and the structured approach of integrative therapy has proven to be…. Read More
Ola 30, female with ADHD
Help With Bereavement & Depression
I was coping with a major bereavement and it felt like a crisis… Straight away Maggie was warm, kind and understanding… I didn’t want to be in therapy for a long time, I just wanted to get better, get on with my life… I cannot recommend Maggie highly enough to you. Whilst life still presents me with challenges I can cope with them as I feel so much stronger now… over six weeks… after each session I’d… Read More
TV Director, London
Healing Past Wounds and Trauma
I met with Tania at KlearMinds for 12 sessions…Trust was immediately established between us….Tania helped navigate me through some difficult unresolved trauma from my childhood which had been holding me back a long time. Tania helped me look at my past through a lens of warmth, understanding and curiosity, rather than…Tania’s help has changed my life as I have finally…. Read More
Analyst, Investment Management
Overcoming Trauma, Depression, Parenting Problems, Career Issues
I have seen Maggie for a short batch of sessions, on 4 occasions… I’ve needed help with…post-natal depression…childhood trauma…career…work/life balance…parenting struggles… the services she provides, have been absolutely transformational… Without fail, each time, Maggie has..quickly distilled..the root..issue..and given me highly..actionable..advice..I can…use..long past attending one to one sessions…. Read More
COO, London
Career Change, Confidence Building
My experience with Amanda has been nothing short of transformational. I was completely stuck, down in the dumps about my career and not sure how to move forward. Amanda was absolutely brilliant in her approach…Amanda has helped me understand myself, step back and look at the facts around me and increased my confidence hugely….After the first few sessions I had already….Read More
Anonymous, London
Career & Life Coaching
I initially sought out a life or career coach as I felt stuck in a toxic situation at work…I have seen a number of therapists over the years and definitely felt this was the best experience I have had. I really appreciated Maggie’s combination of empathy and practicality, an investment that has truly paid off… working on a psychological level to understand the situation and other dynamics…really helped me navigate…. Read More
Partnership Development Manager
Overcoming Career Anxiety & Work Stress
I had never thought I was someone who would need counselling or therapy, as I had always been very strong. However when my career wasn’t going quite as I had planned it, I found I was becoming very negative and mentally spiralling out of control – in fact turning myself into a victim. Maggie was outstanding at providing me with what I needed, not as a “quick fix” but by giving me the tools to use whenever I may need… Read More
Corporate Finance Lawyer

Medication and Social Anxiety

Whilst medication doesn’t cure social anxiety it can often alleviate some of the intense anxiety. Symptoms tend to return when medication is stopped, however, in combination with psychotherapy and/or CBT treatment, it can positively assist your progress when anxiety symptoms are particularly severe.

Meet Our Experienced Therapists

Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist

Maggie Morrow is an award winning psychotherapist, an accomplished life coach and counsellor, and Founder of KlearMinds. In 2007 she was awarded the BACP National Award for advancing the quality of therapy service provision to the highest standards in the UK.
Maggie’s experience spans over 25 years helping people overcome problems so they can enjoy more fulfilling and satisfying lives.

 

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Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Paul Glynn holds over 35 years experience as a therapist and is KlearMinds Clinical Director. Paul offers a warm, pragmatic and interactive approach to help you understand and go beyond the difficulties you are facing. He is passionate about empowering clients to develop the tools that can help them to resolve stuckness and positively change repetitive, problematic behaviours.
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Jess holds over 20 years of experience as a therapist and is a KlearMinds Clinic Director. She draws upon a range of therapies including psychodynamic, CBT and mindfulness. Jess is skilled in helping clients gain new perspectives for understanding problems which provide powerful foundations for achieving positive change. She works collaboratively, helping you understand and improve problems from the root upwards.
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Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, with individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and has considerable experience in Career Coaching, Mindfulness Meditation and Mediation. Judy works proactively with clients to help them understand and address problematic situations and experiences and develop positive skills they can draw upon for life.
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Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist with over 9 years experience. She has worked successfully in a variety of settings, including media, TV, journalism, law and higher education. She draws upon a broad range of therapeutic skills including existential, CBT, mindfulness and psychoeducation to enable clients to achieve the outcomes they want, in terms of professional and personal satisfaction and wellbeing.
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Amanda Reynolds - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Amanda is a highly experienced Advanced CBT and Integrative therapist with more than 11 years experience. She draws upon a wide range of therapies and works proactively to help clients understand, process and resolve their concerns and conflicts. Amanda can assist you to quickly identify problematic thoughts and behaviours which negatively impact your personal and professional well-being.
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Karen Gubb - Clinical Psychologist London.webp
Karen is a highly experienced psychologist, executive and career coach with over 21 years experience. Karen draws upon a variety of therapies and coaching skills, tailoring her approach, to best suit the learning style of each client. Karen works proactively. She can help you understand and constructively change problematic thoughts and patterns of behaviour so you can realise your personal goals.
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Tania Turner Counsellor and Couples Therapist in London
Tania is an experienced psychotherapist and couples counsellor with over 10 years experience. She is highly skilled in helping couples and individuals address a wide range of concerns. She has a warm, collaborative, insightful approach and uses a range of therapies including psychodynamic and mindfulness, to enable her clients to understand and resolve issues constructively.
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Annette is a highly experienced clinical psychologist with over 16 years experience working with individuals, couples and families. She is skilled in a range of different therapy approaches including CBT and mindfulness, which enables her to constructively tailor therapy sessions to meet your particular needs. Annette works empathically and collaboratively, providing you with useful insights and tools for problem solving.
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Rachel holds extensive experience in providing expert couples and individual therapy and coaching. She draws on a range of therapies including CBT, mindfulness and coaching in tailoring her approach to best suit your learning style. Rachel adopts a proactive, balanced and empathetic approach helping people understand problematic patterns of behaviour and communication.
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Amanda is a highly skilled therapist with over 12 years experience. She can show you ways to gain clarity regarding your concerns and better understand the factors that are holding you back. Amanda can help you gain an enhanced understanding of yourself and others. She can show you effective strategies for coping with difficulties and constructive ways you can progress positively, towards achieving your goals.
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Hundreds of clients have trusted KlearMinds to help them find a therapist. Our Clinical Directors review every enquiry to match you with an expert therapist who can help you resolve your concerns and achieve your goals. Simply complete our enquiry form or request a telephone call to find a therapist who is the best match.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does CBT Work in Treating Social Anxiety?
CBT is a specialised therapy that focuses on helping people understand how specific patterns of thoughts, behaviours and feelings arise in response to social situations. You will discover how certain thinking or behaviour patterns you maintain, may be flawed and thus contribute to your social anxiety symptoms. You will also learn how these patterns can be changed to build positive feelings and the self-confidence to deal with the social situations you find difficult.

A CBT therapist will help you learn to recognise how particular elements of the thoughts and behaviours you maintain, actually feed your social anxiety. You may already be aware or completely unaware of these problematic patterns. A CBT therapist can help you gain the clarity to assess where useful changes can be made. They will work collaboratively with you to devise, a series of exercises and experiments that can help you begin to develop the skills you need to manage and cope with social situations much more effectively.

Exercises may take the form of written homework, for instance, some exercises can help you practice new ways of viewing previously stressful situations. For example, you may gain a more positive or realistic perspective on how others might view you. Experiments are also a common element of CBT therapy and these would be devised collaboratively with your CBT therapist. For example, you might want to test an experiment that involves engaging in a new strategy in a social situation to see what difference it makes. This aim is always to focus on testing strategies that will ultimately make you feel more comfortable and at ease.

After a course of good CBT therapy, many people will feel more confident in dealing with social situations.

When is CBT Less Effective in Treating Social Anxiety?

Further Self-Help & Reading on CBT

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Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist
Author: Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach
Last updated: 30th March 2023

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Quality Standards

Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors. They are registered with: