Cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder: model, methods, and outcome

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder has typically emphasized cognitive-restructuring and exposure interventions, delivered alone or in combination, in either individual or group formats. Treatment programs emphasizing these interventions are associated with both acute improvements and longer term maintenance of treatment gains. In this article, the nature and application of these interventions are reviewed in relation to a cognitive-behavioral model of the development and maintenance of social anxiety disorder. Strategies for change and outcome findings are discussed, with attention to both individual studies and meta-analytic reviews of the literature. Strategies for improving outcomes and future directions for research are also discussed.