Brief cognitive therapy for social phobia: a case series

Social phobia is a common and disabling anxiety disorder, The most effectiv e psychological treatments for social phobia are cognitive therapy and expo sure. However, the degree of improvement across these treatments is variabl e, and their implementation is costly and time-consuming. This study aimed to conduct a preliminary clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of a brie f, new form of cognitive therapy based on a recent cognitive model of socia l phobia. Six consecutively referred patients with social phobia were treat ed using established single case series methodology. Brief cognitive therap y was effective with all patients demonstrating clinically significant impr ovements in all measures. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up. The mean number of treatment sessions delivered was 5.5 and improvements compa re favourably with previous treatment studies, Brief cognitive therapy for social phobia appears promising and it is potentially cost-effective. Futur e randomised and controlled evaluations of this brief treatment are warrant ed, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.