Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Presentation

Abstract

This study evaluates the process and outcomes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for a client diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). The client’s challenges, emotional states, and behaviors in social environments from childhood through adolescence are examined in detail. During the CBT process, strategies such as thought awareness, cognitive restructuring, and social skills development were employed. At the beginning and throughout the therapy, projective assessment tools like the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) were utilized to analyze the client’s inner world and formulate an effective treatment plan. As a result of the therapeutic process, significant reductions in the client’s social anxiety symptoms were observed, along with more positive experiences in social interactions. The findings support the effectiveness of CBT as a treatment method for social anxiety disorder. However, considering the study’s limitations, further research involving larger populations and long-term follow-ups is recommended.