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

Overcome ME/CFS Long Covid & Build Confidence
…Thank you to KlearMinds for taking such care in matching me with the right therapist…. I started sessions when I was very unwell with Long Covid/ ME/CFS… Amanda was a huge part of my recovery… I’ve got my life back. I’ve just been for a run, am a Mum to my boys again and am loving life. The connection between my mental health and physical health were much more entwined than I had realised. Amanda helped me to… Read More
Jenny, Occupational Therapist from North England.
Flexible therapy that worked best for me
Had a very positive experience working with Kate and KlearMinds. Kate was very easy to talk to and gave me space to do sessions in the way that worked best for me and I came out of them feeling refreshed and motivated. I would definitely recommend Kate…. she was kind, thoughtful and always reliable, even when I was a bit awkward about finding times that suited my schedule. Read More
Professional, IT Sector
Career Coaching & Finding Loving Relationship
I started to see Maggie as a work coach… I was frustrated with my job… working myself into the ground… not getting any returns… I’m now in a job I love, and have just been promoted! I’m now much more confident… with who I am…. in a great relationship for almost two years now… I’ve recommended her to numerous friends since and I know she’s helped them massively too… She helped me realise…. Read More
Managing Director
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
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!
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
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
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
Empower Yourself – Building Self Confidence
Before meeting with Maggie, I had been feeling demotivated, lacking focus and very lonely…. Counselling was something I only considered when I felt there was nothing I could do. Retrospectively, this was incorrect. Maggie gave me support and provided me with the encouragement to empower myself to change. I had always found it hard to deal with questions, getting defensive. Maggie’s questions…helped me… I now realise… Read More
Investment Banker
Discovering Enjoyable Career Success & Creating Loving Relationships
When I came to see Maggie I was very depressed, but also very cynical about the benefits of seeing a therapist… I was working as a sales director… which I thought was what I wanted, but I had very little confidence in my abilities… I also had very bad relationships… Maggie has helped me to understand why… and…to turn things around so that I am so much happier now than I have been in many, many, years and… Read More
Ex Sales Director
Ensuring You Get the Right Therapist

The following feedback is from a client who we provided with a therapist re-match:

Just wanted to say, amazing pick with Kate. Very happy with the switch.
I am loving my therapy and making progress already after 3 sessions.
Read More

Entrepreneur, London
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
Empower Yourself – Overcome Trauma & Build Self-Esteem
I came to Judy struggling to understand the impact sexual abuse that had taken place in my childhood had had on me. I knew there were things… weaving their way into how I formed relationships and the way I have behaved since I was a teenager, but I didn’t know what they were or how to deal with them. The hours I’ve spent working with Judy have been the most…liberating and empowering experience and I’ve learnt… Read More
Magazine Editor, London

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 Director 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 20 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 30 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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Nishah Dennison - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Nishah is a highly skilled therapist with over 25 years experience. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including Coaching, CBT, Mindfulness and psychoeducation to help her clients. Her approach to working with clients is warm, interactive and practical, providing life skills and strategies that can be used effectively across all areas of life. Alongside seeing clients she expertly leads our therapy team to provide quality and excellence.
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Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, working with both individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and holds considerable experience providing 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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Andrea Tibbitts - Relationship Therapist and Couple Coach in London
Andrea is a highly experienced relationship therapist and coach, with over 15 years clinical experience providing marriage and relationship counselling. She is passionate about empowering couples to be the best version of themselves and to live their best lives. She can help you and your partner to identify and address the root causes of problematic patterns which have a negative impact on your relationship.
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Mita Hiremath - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Mita is a highly experienced psychotherapist and counsellor with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is passionate about helping clients overcome issues they have been struggling with for months and sometimes years. Mita draws upon a range of therapies including, CBT, Mindfulness and EMDR, which she tailors to best suit each client she works with.
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Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist. 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 8 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 15 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. 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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Nicola Reeves Psychotherapist and Counsellor London
Nicola is an experienced psychotherapist skilled in a range of therapies which she tailors to the unique learning style of each client she helps. Nicola can help you understand how current and past conditions, experiences and relationships can influence your difficulties. She can also show you simple yet effective tools you can use to turn things around.
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Annette is a highly experienced clinical psychologist with over 13 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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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: March 30th, 2023

Our London Therapy Locations

We help people across London and have therapy rooms in Central London & London City.

Quality Standards

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