Social Anxiety Resources

NASC provides access to evidence-based psychotherapy services and resources to treat social anxiety. They disseminate up-to-date research and increase the public’s awareness and understanding of social anxiety.

Basic facts about social anxiety; a blog with accessible and interesting personal stories; psychotherapy clinics across the United States that treat social anxiety; clinician-focused resources.

ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety and depressive disorders through education, practice, and research.

Facts about the etiology and development of anxiety disorders; update-to-date research; evidence-based treatment options for social anxiety (as well as other anxiety disorders and depression).

AKFSA’s mission is to provide education to people with social anxiety, mental health and educational professionals, physicians, and the general public about the diagnosis and treatment of social anxiety disorders.

Overview of social anxiety disorder; actionable suggestions to help; research articles, including subsections to find articles for “sufferers,” “family friends & mentors,” and “professionals.”

An online community/support group dedicated to people with social anxiety; discussions include treatment, self-help, and recovery.

Wide range of discussion topics posted by users; interactive forums similar to Reddit; caveat: limited quality control, so information may not be accurate.

NASC provides access to evidence-based psychotherapy services and resources to treat social anxiety. They disseminate up-to-date research and increase the public’s awareness and understanding of social anxiety.

Basic facts about social anxiety; blog with accessible and interesting personal stories; psychotherapy clinics across the United States that treat social anxiety; clinician-focused resources.

APA’s clinical psychology division that supports the integration of clinical psychological science and practice in education, research, application, advocacy, and public policy.

Treatment manuals and outlines; training materials and workshops; handouts and worksheets; video demonstrations of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); an extensive list of social anxiety measures; clinical trials; meta-analyses and systematic literature reviews of social anxiety treatment; unique treatment approaches (e.g., social mishap exposures).

The CCI’s goals are to develop and administer evidence-based treatments, conduct clinically applied research to improve interventions, train practitioners in evidence-based treatment, and disseminate resources.

Educational materials and informational brochures; free interactive workshops and modules on social anxiety (e.g., understanding social anxiety; overcoming avoidance); downloadable worksheets (anxiety symptoms record; situational exposure diary). While the resources are primarily intended for clinicians to provide to patients, content is accessible and can be applied independently.

ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety and depressive disorders through education, practice, and research. ADAA focuses on improving the quality of life through education about the disorders.

Facts about the etiology and development of anxiety disorders; update-to-date research; evidence-based treatment options for social anxiety (as well as other anxiety disorders and depression).

AKFSA’s mission is to provide education to people with social anxiety, mental health and educational professionals, physicians, family, and the general public about the diagnosis and treatment of social anxiety disorder.

Overview of SAD; actionable suggestions to help; research articles, including subsections to find articles for “sufferers,” “family friends & mentors,” and “professionals”; personal stories.

PsychDB (Psychiatry DataBase) is a free, open-access psychiatry reference tool.

A medical-style website that provides an overview of the signs and symptoms of SAD; distinguishes SAD from other disorders (e.g., Avoidant Personality Disorder); provides all DSM-5 diagnostic criteria of social anxiety disorder.

The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.

Informational materials and Q/A style forum; a brief overview of social anxiety (e.g., distinguishing social anxiety from shyness), risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment; tailored to children; Spanish translation available.

Psyche is a digital magazine from Aeon that illuminates the human condition through psychology, philosophy, and the arts.

A comprehensive overview of social anxiety symptoms, causes, and prevalence rates. Provides actionable tips for treatment.

Wondermind is a mental health startup that aims to improve mental fitness through education and practical daily tips.

Evidence-based strategies for managing social anxiety.

Noba is a non-profit organization that provides free academic resources, all written by experts in their field.

A comprehensive overview of social anxiety symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Psychology Today provides mental health resources written by psychologists, clinicians, and researchers.

Abbreviated explanations of tips for managing and reducing social anxiety.

Harvard Business Review (HBR) is a rigorous journal that produces educational content rooted in science and that provides actionable tools to improve human health

Provides a thorough overview of social anxiety, including distinguishing it from introversion and how it can interfere with work; provides actionable strategies to manage social anxiety at work.

TED is owned by a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation, with the mission to “discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility and catalyze impact.

In crowds, at parties, meetings, get-togethers with friends, and everyday interactions: social anxiety can show up as an unwelcome guest at any time. But why? Psychologist Fallon Goodman digs into the source of social anxiety, setting the record straight about this common condition with practical solutions to help you feel the most authentically "you" while out and about.

Managing Social Anxiety, Therapist Guide: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach (Treatments That Work). Written by Debra A. Hope, Richard G. Heimberg, & Cynthia L. Turk.

Helping Students Overcome Social Anxiety Skills for Academic and Social Success (SASS). Written by Carrie Masia Warner, Daniela Colognori, & Chelsea Lynch.

Managing Social Anxiety, Workbook: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach (Treatments That Work). Written by Debra A. Hope, Richard G. Heimberg, & Cynthia L. Turk.

The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven, Step-by-Step Techniques for Overcoming your Fear. Written by Martin M. Antony PhD, & Richard P. Swinson MD

The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: CBT and ACT Skills to Help You Build Social Confidence. By Jennifer Shannon LMFT (Author), & Doug Shannon (Illustrator).

Moscovitch, D. A. (2009). Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 16, 123–134.

A research article identifying the core fear of people with SAD and implications for treatment.

Wong, Q. J., & Rapee, R. M. (2016). Journal of Affective Disorders, 203, 84–100.

A systematic review that proposes a model of SAD incorporating etiological factors and maintenance.

Trower, P., & Gilbert, P. (1989). Clinical Psychology Review, 9, 19–35.

A theoretical paper explaining social anxiety from an evolutionary perspective.

Modini, M., Abbott, M. J., & Hunt, C. (2015). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 37(4), 645–662.

A systematic review assessing the psychometric properties and strengths of different self-report measures of social anxiety.

Heimberg, R. C., Brozovich, F. A., & Rapee, R. M. (2010). In S. G. Hofmann & P. M. DiBartolo (Eds.), Social anxiety: Clinical, developmental, and social perspectives (pp. 395–422). Elsevier Academic Press.

A book chapter explaining seminal theoretical models of social anxiety.

Goodman, F. R., Rum, R., Silva, G., & Kashdan, T. B. (2021). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 84, 102474.

A research article demonstrating that people with social anxiety disorder report higher positive emotions when they are socializing than when they are alone.

Kashdan, T. B., Weeks, J. W., & Savostyanova, A.A. (2011). Clinical Psychology Review, 31(5), 786–799.

A research article examining how social anxiety interferes with positive emotions and experiences.

A self-report measure of distress and avoidance in different social situations.

-24 Total Questions-

A self-report measure of social anxiety across three areas: fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms.

-17 Total Questions-

(3-item version available, i.e., “Mini-SPIN”)

A self-report measure of one’s fear of being judged negatively.

-12 Total Questions-

A self-report measure of distress and avoidance in various social situations.

-20 Total Questions-