• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
Skip to content

Social Anxiety Treatment: Therapy, Medication, & Self-Help

Published: March 10, 2022 Updated: July 1, 2022
Published: 03/10/2022 Updated: 07/01/2022
Headshot of Matthew Witter, Psy.D.
Written by:

Matthew Witter

Psy.D.
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • Can You Cure Social Anxiety?Cure
  • Social Anxiety TherapyTherapy
  • Exposure Therapy for Social AnxietyExposure Therapy
  • Other CBT Techniques for Social AnxietyCBT
  • Acceptance & Commitment TherapyACT
  • Support GroupsSupport Groups
  • Questions to Ask Before Starting TherapyTherapy Questions
  • Social Anxiety MedicationMedication
  • Questions to Ask About Medications (Psychiatrist or PCP)Medication Questions
  • Self-Help Strategies for Social AnxietySelf-Help
  • Developing a Social Anxiety Treatment PlanTreatment Plan
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Social Anxiety Treatment InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Matthew Witter, Psy.D.
Written by:

Matthew Witter

Psy.D.
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP

Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an overwhelming fear of specific social situations and the avoidance of these situations, which can affect a person’s ability to function. Although social anxiety disorder can vary in severity from person to person, relief from symptoms may be felt relatively quickly with the right treatment.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 7.1% of the population suffered from social anxiety disorder in the past year, and 13% will develop social anxiety in their lifetime.1 The most robust treatments for social anxiety disorder include exposure therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. With this treatment combination, many people find relief after 7 to 12 sessions.2

BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Can You Cure Social Anxiety?

Mental health professionals rarely use terms like “cure” or “fix” because a person’s mental health is a constantly changing and evolving situation. Social anxiety disorder is something that people need to work on for extended periods, and even though symptoms may reduce, the unwanted feelings could return in the future.

Effective treatment can manage social anxiety very effectively. With professional treatment, healthy coping skills, and lifestyle changes, a person can live a very happy life.

Social Anxiety Therapy

Therapy for anxiety can be effective in individual or group formats. Therapy can be incredibly effective for people experiencing anxiety around social situations, people who are afraid of negative evaluations from others, and people who are avoiding social situations.

Therapy for social anxiety disorder is usually covered by insurance, and many therapists specialize in the treatment of social anxiety or other anxiety disorders. Therapy that is evidence-based, like exposure therapy, can be covered if the therapist you are seeing takes insurance, and no referral is needed. The two forms of therapy that you will most likely encounter are individual or group therapy, whether in a community clinic, school or university, hospital, or therapist private practice.

Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety

With exposure therapy, the client lists every social situation they are afraid of, for example returning clothes at Target, asking a person on a date, or asking their boss for a raise. Each of these situations cause some type of fear and panic. The goal is to rank the situations from least anxiety to most anxiety, and role play situations in therapy as well as practice them for “homework.”

The standard treatment is between 7 to 12 weekly sessions (Please note that sessions may differ by therapist, and this is a general guideline):

Session 1

  • Introduction to the therapist
  • Describe what exposure therapy is and how it will be employed
  • Discuss clients goals and situations that cause a lot of fear, describing avoidance and possible reasons we may get anxious
  • Answer any questions clients may have

Session 2

  • Create a fear hierarchy, where the client lists every social situation that produces anxiety
  • Discuss how to successfully navigate exposures for practice, starting role plays (for example if a client is afraid to ask a boss for a raise the therapist will act as the boss and client will imagine how the scenario would go asking the therapist for a raise)
  • Discuss the importance of noticing when anxiety is severe and when it starts to go down
  • When doing exposures, a rule of thumb is to keep track of your thoughts and body sensations before, during, and after the exposure, through a mood log or another way of tracking (on phone, notepad, journal).

Session 3 to Session 6

  • Continue reviewing your hierarchy and how the exposures are going
  • Introduce education on where clients may have developed social anxiety disorder (genetically, early childhood experiences of bullying or family difficulties, etc)
  • Start introducing anxiety-calming techniques, including deep breathing, meditation, grounding (discussed in detail later)
  • Discuss how negative cognitions can play a role in social anxiety and proper ways of challenging these
  • Once a client completes a step, they are rewarded with praise and sometimes will be asked to produce their own rewards for completing a step (buy new shirt, get massage, buy an art book)
  • The goals during these sessions are to move up the hierarchy by completing the smaller anxiety situations first, discussing any roadblocks to completion, and brainstorming alternate ways to tackle them
  • Therapists continue to ask clients to imagine and role play the current situation they are working on, and practice it until clients feel they have completely mastered it.

Session 7 to Session 12

  • Discuss changes client has noticed
  • Discuss situations that are still difficult
  • Discuss how anxiety coping techniques are working, and see if client has noticed a difference in thoughts and body sensations before, during, and after feared social situations
  • Discuss any negative thoughts that are still lingering and continue to work on challenging them2
  • As an evidence-based practice, exposure therapy can help clients reduce anxiety symptoms completely or to minimal levels that no longer warrant a social anxiety diagnosis

Although individual therapy can be sufficient, group therapy can see greater improvements due to being in a community with others struggling with similar issues, being able to practice and role play social anxiety situations with other group members, and feeling connected to others through shared struggles. Unfortunately, group treatments are not as accessible as individual treatments, and are less available for most people, though this is changing as online group therapy options become more popular.

Anxiety Coping Techniques During Exposure Therapy

During exposure therapy, clients are taught anxiety coping techniques to help reduce fear and anxiety reactions while practicing or role playing. These include deep breathing, grounding, imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.3

Other CBT Techniques for Social Anxiety

CBT for social anxiety is a very effective treatment because it can target the thoughts and behaviors linked to the condition. Exposure therapy takes a more behavioral approach, but some may respond well to other options.

Cognitive Reframing

Cognitive reframing is a thought-based intervention that delves into the source of the social anxiety. By identifying, challenging, and reframing the thoughts connected to social interactions, the person can begin to experience relationships in a healthier way.

Autogenic Training

Autogenic training is a form of relaxation that changes self-talk. By repeating a series of self-affirming phrases, the person learns to calm their mind and body while entering a state of increased confidence.4

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) works to help people attack anxiety in two ways. First, they are to accept aspects of their state and the role of anxiety in their life. Second, they commit to changing what they can in a show of power and control over themselves and their environment.

Support Groups

Not every person with social anxiety would be appropriate for a support group, but many will find these to be a great addition to their other treatments. Support groups can serve as a form of exposure that allows people to practice their skills around others facing the same situations.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers a comprehensive list of support groups. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the benefits outweigh the emotional vulnerability.

Questions to Ask Before Starting Therapy

Questions to ask before starting therapy may include:

  • What therapeutic orientation do you employ for social anxiety disorder?
  • Have you had any training or certifications in treating social anxiety?
  • How many sessions do you feel it will take to reduce my symptoms?
  • Do you offer individual or group formats? If you offer both, what do you think is best for me?
  • Do you assign homework or worksheets between sessions?

Social Anxiety Medication

For those whose social anxiety can be very debilitating, anxiety medication might be a good option. Some classes of medication include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Each drug acts on the brain a little differently and works on different timelines, but all have properties to help with the panic reactions that accompany social anxiety. You can get anxiety medications by meeting with a psychiatrist or your primary care physician. Most health insurances require a referral from your doctor to be able to meet with a psychiatrist, and the medications are often covered by insurance. However, it’s important to check with your health insurance about prescription costs.5

It is recommended that you only take the dosage recommended by your provider, and never abruptly stop taking a medication, as severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms can result. It is also important to talk with your provider before taking any medication. All of these medications have the potential to cause serious side effects with regular use and it is important that you weigh the benefits and the risks.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are a class of drugs known as antidepressants. They can also help treat other mood disorders like social anxiety. They specifically slow the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical that is believed to help regulate mood and anxiety.6

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs work just like SSRIs, except they interact with another chemical in the brain called norepinephrine. Many people with anxiety and depression find benefit from SNRIs.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

MAOIs are a class of drugs that were first developed to treat depression. MAOIs prevent the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine from leaving the brain. Lack of these neurotransmitters in the brain are said to be involved in depression. By keeping them circulating, MAOIs relieve the effects of depression and allow you to feel less depressed for longer. They also have been shown to reduce anxiety as well.

MAOIs can cause dangerous interactions with certain foods and beverages. You’ll need to avoid foods containing high levels of tyramine (an amino acid that regulates blood pressure) such as aged cheeses, sauerkraut, cured meats, draft beer, and fermented soy products (for example, soy sauce, miso and tofu). The interaction of tyramine with MAOIs can cause dangerously high blood pressure.6

Benzodiazepines

This class of drugs, also known as tranquilizers, is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, pain, and control seizures. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system, produce sedation and muscle relaxation, and lower anxiety levels.6

Within this class of medications there are Anticonvulsants, which are used to treat seizure disorders and pain. It is thought that these drugs minimize the effects of nerves that cause pain.6

Questions to Ask About Medications (Psychiatrist or PCP)

Questions to ask your psychiatrist or primary care physician before starting any medications include:

  • Which medications specifically work to reduce symptoms of social anxiety?
  • Which medications have the least side effects?
  • Do you suggest taking multiple medications at the same time?
  • What dietary or lifestyle changes must I employ when taking these medications?
  • Do you have suggestions of nutritional supplements that can help with social anxiety disorder?

7 Self-Help Strategies for Social Anxiety

Although most treatments for social anxiety disorder revolve around exposure therapy and medication, lifestyle changes and self-help strategies for anxiety may lessen symptoms as well. These changes include having a regular exercise schedule, maintaining good sleep hygiene, limiting caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, joining a club or volunteer organization, and practicing social skills with a friend or loved one.

Here are seven ways you can help yourself work through social anxiety—these are great complimentary additions to professional anxiety treatments:

1. Join Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization that assists with public speaking and leadership skills. There are currently 358,000 members, more than 16,800 clubs, and in 143 countries. This is a community of people who want to improve public speaking, increase leadership skills, and feel calm in front of others.7

2. Say Hello to Someone You Don’t Know

Saying hello to others is a good start to reducing the anxiety that occurs when meeting or talking to new people. By sticking to a goal of just saying “hello” or “how are you?” to a colleague or even a stranger will help speaking to people become more routine. Once you have mastered “hello” then you could work on small talk or a short 3 minute conversation, and so on.

3. Exercise Regularly

A regular exercise routine of just 30 minutes a day has shown to not only boost your physical health but help maintain a sense of calmness and peace. Whether you join a gym, commit to a walk every day, or some other form of movement, this can greatly improve your overall anxiety levels.

4. Get Plenty of Sleep

Maintaining good sleep hygiene is paramount to staying calm. When you are sleep deprived you are more likely to be vulnerable to the effects of anxiety. Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night and be more in control of your mood.

5. Limit Stimulants Like Caffeine

Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and smoking can help decrease mood irregularities. Caffeine, including coffee, tea, and energy drinks, is a stimulant and can actually increase anxiety symptoms. Alcohol is thought by many to calm your nerves in social situations, but is an unhealthy coping mechanism that can increase your risk of an anxiety attack. Lastly, nicotine is a powerful stimulant, like caffeine, that does not reduce anxiety as once imagined. By limiting or completely eliminating these habits you will feel more in control of your moods.

6. Join a Club or Organization You Care About

Joining a club or volunteer organization may be a great way to work on meeting new people, and engaging in an activity you enjoy. The club or volunteer activity will take your mind off the social aspect and give you something else to focus on while meeting others is an added bonus.

7. Practice!

Practicing with a friend or loved one is one way to calm the nerves when you do need to meet others. By practicing social skills with someone you trust you can greatly build your confidence and view these social situations as more routine and normal.

Developing a Social Anxiety Treatment Plan

Depending on the person and their situation, a social anxiety treatment plan could include a wide range of treatments and lifestyle changes. Any good treatment plan is a list of goals tailored to the individual. Since the best goals are specific, measurable, realistic, and timely, a social anxiety treatment plan should also focus on how these accomplishments will be obtained and how people will know when there is progress.

Treatment plans can include professional and nonprofessional people involved in treatment and should outline their roles. Putting a treatment plan in writing helps make it more tangible, but it should be an evolving document. It can grow and change over time.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp (Online Therapy) – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Online-Therapy.com – Receive help for anxiety. The Online-Therapy.com standard plan includes a weekly 45 minute video session, unlimited text messaging between sessions, and self-guided activities like journaling. Recently, they added Yoga videos. Get Started

Brightside Health (Online Psychiatry) – If you’re struggling with anxiety, finding the right medication can make a difference. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Headspace (Meditation App) – Headspace is the leading mindfulness and meditation app with over 70 million members. Headspace offers guidance and exercises for all skill levels, including beginners. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist specialising in anxiety. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, Brightside, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Social Anxiety Association
  • National Social Anxiety Center
  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Social Anxiety Treatment Infographics

Social Anxiety Therapy Social Anxiety Medications Self-Help Strategies for Social Anxiety

7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • National Institute of Mental Health (2017). Statistics for Social Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/social-anxiety-disorder.shtml

  • Hoffman,S.G; Otto, M.W (2014). Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.div12.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hofmann-CBD-for-SAD-Session-by-Session-Outline.pdf

  • Peterson, Tanya. (2021). Progressive Muscle Relaxation: How It Works, Benefits, & Tips. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/progressive-muscle-relaxation/

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2020, June 15). Autogenic Training. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/veteran-handouts/docs/AutogenicTraining-508Final-9-5-2018.pdf

  • Blanco, C; Schneier, F.R.;  Schmidt, A; Blanco-Jerez, C.R; Marshall, R.D.;  Sanchez-Lackey, A; Liebowitz, M.R (2003) Pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder: A meta‐analysis. Depression and Anxiety, 18(1), 29-40. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/da.1009

  • Patterson, Eric. (2020). Medication for Anxiety: Types, Side Effects, and Management. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/medication-for-anxiety/

  • Toastmasters International (2020). Where leaders are made. Retrieved from https://www.toastmasters.org/about/all-about-toastmasters

update history

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

  • Originally Published: June 9, 2020
    Original Author: Matthew Witter, PsyD
    Original Reviewer: Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP

  • Updated: March 10, 2022
    Author: No Change
    Reviewer: No Change
    Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “Can You Cure Social Anxiety?”, “Other CBT Techniques for Social Anxiety”, “Acceptance & Commitment Therapy”, “Support Groups”, and “Developing a Social Anxiety Treatment Plan”. New material written by Eric Patterson, LPC, and reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD.

Recent Articles

How to Help Someone with Anxiety
How to Help Someone With AnxietyIf someone you love is experiencing anxiety, there are many relatively simple steps to take to be proactive and more
';
Best Anxiety Books for Teens in 2022
Best Anxiety Books for Teens in 2022Teen anxiety can look like negative self-talk, sudden shyness, avoiding activities that once brought happiness, and/or reckless behaviors, but more
';
Acute Stress Disorder vs. PTSD: Understanding the Differences
Acute Stress Disorder vs. PTSD: Understanding the DifferencesBoth acute stress disorder and PTSD can be a result of a person exposed to a traumatic event, but more
';
Acute Stress Disorder: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Acute Stress Disorder: Signs, Symptoms & TreatmentAcute stress disorder is diagnosed when symptoms occur directly after the trauma but resolve within one month, while PTSD more
';
How to Stop Worrying About Everything 18 Tips
How to Stop Worrying: 18 TipsIf worrisome thoughts have become a constant in your life, you can take steps to stop worrying. Certain techniques more
';
Childhood Trauma: Types, Causes, Signs, and Treatments
Childhood Trauma: Types, Causes, Signs, and TreatmentsBy age sixteen, more than 67% of children will have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life. more
';
Headshot of Matthew Witter, Psy.D.
Written by:

Matthew Witter

Psy.D.
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • Can You Cure Social Anxiety?Cure
  • Social Anxiety TherapyTherapy
  • Exposure Therapy for Social AnxietyExposure Therapy
  • Other CBT Techniques for Social AnxietyCBT
  • Acceptance & Commitment TherapyACT
  • Support GroupsSupport Groups
  • Questions to Ask Before Starting TherapyTherapy Questions
  • Social Anxiety MedicationMedication
  • Questions to Ask About Medications (Psychiatrist or PCP)Medication Questions
  • Self-Help Strategies for Social AnxietySelf-Help
  • Developing a Social Anxiety Treatment PlanTreatment Plan
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Social Anxiety Treatment InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Hotlines here
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept