Psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offer a more effective remedy for social anxiety than medication. However, CBT is a social experience that can trigger anxiety and, ironically, create a barrier to treatment. One way to navigate this barrier is through touching base with therapists through telemental health avenues. Here’s an overview of how therapists can help with social anxiety and the place of modern telehealth in today’s mental healthcare.
Therapy for Social Anxiety
Social phobia is one of the prevalent mental health disorders affecting many people of all races and backgrounds. The condition is hallmarked by the fear of interacting with others in social situations like dating, partying, and public speaking. Most cases of social anxiety can improve using cognitive behavioral therapy or medication, sometimes a combination of both. Therapists can help with social anxiety in the following ways:
1. Recognizing Negative Thoughts
Social anxiety therapy focuses on helping patients recognize their behavioral patterns and negative thoughts during social situations. Understanding their patterns and tendencies can help those who experience social phobia recognize negative thoughts as they come and apply corrective solutions. The goal is to prevent such ideas from running wild by identifying and changing them with reassurances that build confidence.
2. Learning New Coping Skills
Therapists can help individuals experiencing social anxiety learn new coping skills, rather than fleeing or avoiding social situations. Psychotherapists focus on helping the patient understand and process distress, and change damaging beliefs. The goal is to replace the maladaptive thought process with productive and realistic approaches and empower patients. Learning new coping skills can also build confidence to face social situations.
3. Facing Your Worst Fears
Social anxiety therapy, like exposure-based CBT, can help patients face their worst fears in different situations. The therapist will gradually intensify the social settings to help the patient learn how to cope with specific social situations. Some therapy sessions involve role-playing and skills training to improve confidence in relating with others.
4. Life-Long Benefits
Unlike medication, therapy empowers the patient to take control of their behavior and emotions. Social anxiety therapy provides life-long skills you can apply for a lifetime, beyond the last session. Therapists focus on developing tools for lasting mental health wellness rather than delivering an instant fix for the symptoms. You can draw on the skills and insights when facing challenging social situations.
Therapy Treatments for Social Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy is among the most popular therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder. Other treatments include psychodynamic therapy, EMDR, somatic experiencing, and group therapies. Psychodynamic therapy involves creating a deeper understanding of the impact of early childhood and interpersonal relationships on emotional and behavioral patterns.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) can help supersede rumination and confidently navigate anxiety-inducing stimuli. Somatic experiencing is about restoring normal alignment of the autonomic nervous system to release negative energy and promote self-regulation. Participating in group therapies with others facing similar challenges can also build confidence as the client feels a sense of validation and support from their peers.
Telehealth for Social Anxiety Therapy
Social anxiety therapies are more effective than medication and don’t carry a profile of side effects. However, the disorder can become a barrier to receiving therapy, considering the treatment is a social experience. Many patients with severe social anxiety disorder have trouble speaking in social settings. Some may not be open to seeing a therapist or participating in group therapies. Telemedicine seeks to break through such barriers.
Therapists can deliver mental health care through videoconferencing and telecommunications, which feel less stressful than face-to-face meetings. Telemental care suits patients with trouble speaking to therapists in social settings. Some patients still find it difficult to talk over the phone, but the lack of physical presence may reduce anxiety. Other benefits include instant access to a professional and cost-efficiency due to zero commuting expenses.
Telemental Health Counseling for Social Anxiety
If you’re facing social anxiety and difficulty undergoing conventional therapy, you can consider telemental health. Top organizations like Bridge to Balance Inc. offer in-office and telemental care for patients with social anxiety disorder and depression. You can leverage remote healthcare to receive professional insights and treatment in a more comfortable setting. Make sure you choose reputable therapists with experience in telemental care.
