ADVANCES IN RESEARCH OF PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a common anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent fear of negative evaluation, avoidance of social situations, and significant impairment in social functioning. Psychological interventions for SAD have expanded considerably in recent years, with increasing attention to treatment mechanisms, alternative delivery formats, and emerging intervention targets. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) remains one of the most extensively studied psychological treatments for SAD, while mindfulness-based interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), and emerging integrative approaches have broadened the range of therapeutic targets and treatment strategies. This review synthesizes recent domestic and international research on psychological interventions for SAD, focusing on their theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, therapeutic targets, and clinical characteristics. Overall, current evidence supports the efficacy of CBT, while mindfulness-based interventions, ACT, VRET, and emerging integrative approaches show varying levels of evidence and require further investigation. Digital technologies are increasingly incorporated into established psychological interventions and should be understood primarily as delivery modalities rather than independent treatment categories. Future research should place greater emphasis on treatment mechanisms, active components, patient-treatment matching, and the long-term maintenance and functional significance of treatment gains.