Social anxiety

Aim of the module

The purpose of the module is to contribute to learning skills that help overcome social anxiety. In this module, the patient practices skills that can help to overcome social anxiety through externally focused attention, graded exposure and thought challenging methods. An overview of the goals:

• To support patients that experience social anxiety;
• To encourage externally focused attention (instead of self-focused attention);
• To help guide patients in conquering their anxiety through graded exposure exercises;
• To help provide insight into the patients' unhelpful thoughts, and give tools to practice with thinking in more helpful ways;
• To contribute to preventing relapse.

For whom is this module suitable?

The module is suitable for a range of patients: from those experiencing subclinical symptoms of social anxiety to patients with a clinical social anxiety disorder.

What is the content of the module?

The module has a CBT based approach. It consists of 7 guided sessions and 3 unguided sessions, including the 'Welcome' session. Relevant topics are discussed in each session. For example: the negative effect of self-focused attention and how externally focused attention can help to diminish anxiety. The patient creates a fear hierarchy and learns to face their fears through graded exposure. Insight is gained into unhelpful, negative thoughts and these are challenged with a thought record. In each session, the patient receives information and examples and they get started with one or more exercise(s).

Which diaries are part of this module?

The following diaries are part of the 'Social anxiety' module:

• Social anxiety: a diary in which the patient monitors situations in which they experience anxiety. The patient answers questions regarding the situation, level of anxiety, thoughts, behaviour and focus of attention.
• Thought record: a diary in which the patient challenges their unhelpful, negative thoughts by filling in a thought record.

What is the module based on?

The module is based on the knowledge and experience of an expert panel of therapists and patients as well as relevant literature. The Minddistrict team familiarises itself with cutting-edge research and the most recent evidence-based practices.

How do you use the module?

The module can be used for blended therapy, meaning face-to-face sessions are alternated with online sessions. The patient can access the treatment platform in his own time on any device, e.g. PC, laptop, tablet or phone. You, as the therapist, can monitor the patient’s progress through the sessions and diary entries and provide feedback once your patient has completed a session. The module is flexible in use. As a therapist, you can tailor the module to your patient’s individual needs: for instance, by making a session unguided or adding or removing (optional) sessions.

Are you interested in this module?

Do you want this module to be activated on your online platform? Then please contact your Minddistrict account manager or get in touch with us!

Your feedback is welcome!

Minddistrict is eager to hear your opinion on the ‘Social anxiety’ module. If you have any feedback, questions or tips, please send them to info@minddistrict.com. We look forward to hearing from you!