Social Anxiety Disorder: Everything We Need to Know but are Afraid to Ask

The Core Components of Effective SAD Treatment

Presenter: Larry Cohen, LICSW, A-CBT
This seminar provides an overview of the CBT conceptualization of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and its evidence-based treatment components (Mayo-Wilson et al., 2014; Ginat-Frolich et al., 2024). Topics include behavioral experiments/exposures (Clark, 2023a), learning vs. short-term habituation, identifying safety-seeking behaviors, and conducting straightforward and paradoxical experiments. Techniques like in-session, video, virtual reality, and homework experiments are covered. Other strategies include attention training (Cavin, Janecka, & Clark, 2016), cognitive restructuring, analyzing experimental evidence, targeting rumination, worry, avoidance, assertive self-defense, and core belief change work.

Exploring Schema Therapy with Social Anxiety and Avoidant Personality Disorder

Presenter: Laura Johnson, LMFT, LPCC
This presentation covers schema therapy concepts as applied to social anxiety and avoidant personality disorder. Schema therapy, initially developed for borderline personality disorder, is now explored for social anxiety and other conditions. Unlike traditional CBT, schema therapy addresses deep-rooted, dysfunctional personality themes (schemas) developed from unmet childhood needs, and schema modes—mental states triggered by specific schemas. We’ll review common schemas in social anxiety and avoidant personality, especially the social isolation schema, examining how these schemas and modes manifest uniquely in each patient. Research comparing schema therapy to CBT in treating these conditions will also be discussed.

Co-Morbid treatment of SAD and OCD

Presenters: Dr. Katy Manetta and Zach Pacha
With OCD, comorbidity is the rule, not the exception. Lifetime prevalence of OCD patients with social anxiety disorder stands at 14% (2021). Knowing how to make clinical decisions on this treatment in combination will prove useful for a wide array of clinicians.

Understanding Social Anxiety in Generations Z and Alpha and What We Can Do to Help

Presenter: Dr. Janeé Steele
Dubbed “the anxious generation” and “the loneliest generation,” over 60 percent of Generation Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) report experiencing significant stress and anxiety, including social anxiety (Harmony Healthcare IT, 2023). During this session, the presenter will discuss some of the unique challenges contributing to the high incidence of social anxiety among Gen Z, their typical social anxiety profile, and strategies you can use to help this group cope with the far-reaching effects of this mental health concern. Concepts will be illustrated with case studies and informed by evidence-based research (Clark & Wells, 1995; Leigh & Clark, 2021; Lyngdoh et al., 2021).

Sex and SAD: The Impact of Social Anxiety on Sex and Intimacy

Presenter: Chamin Ajjan, LCSW, A-CBT, ACT
This presentation covers several key aspects of sexual health in therapy, including the stigma surrounding it and the influence of media, pornography, and misinformation. It explores how social anxiety impacts sexual satisfaction and functioning, considering factors like gender and sexual orientation. The use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address sexual anxiety is discussed, along with common challenges faced in treating this issue.

Suicidality and Social Anxiety Disorder

Presenter: Dr Suma Chand
This presentation addresses the link between Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and suicidality, including how co-morbid conditions can heighten suicide risk. It explores transdiagnostic factors contributing to suicidality in SAD, ways to identify suicide risk, and strategies for reducing it. Evidence-based treatments that specifically target suicidality in individuals with SAD are also discussed.