SOCIAL PHOBIA COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY: A CASE REPORT

The purpose of this case report is to present in detail the application process and effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of a client diagnosed with social phobia. Social phobia, also known as Social Anxiety Disorder, is characterized by the fear of being negatively evaluated or judged in social contexts, which often results in severe anxiety and significant impairments in interpersonal relationships and daily functioning. In this study, a 25-year-old female client diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria was treated over a total of nine therapy sessions, each lasting approximately 50 minutes. The therapeutic process started with psychoeducation about social phobia and the CBT framework. Together with the client, a problem list was prepared, dysfunctional automatic thoughts were identified, and the relationship between beliefs and consequences was addressed within the ABC model. In addition, relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, graded exposure practices, and role-playing interventions were integrated into the sessions to support cognitive restructuring and behavioral change. As the sessions progressed, the client reported a significant reduction in social anxiety symptoms, discontinued the avoidance behavior of using headphones, demonstrated increased confidence in interpersonal communication, and improved her ability to perform in public speaking situations. In conclusion, CBT proved to be an effective and structured therapeutic approach in the treatment of social phobia, contributing to enhanced social functioning and lasting positive changes. This case study provides clinical evidence supporting the importance of CBT in managing social anxiety disorder and emphasizes its applicability in similar clinical contexts.

Keywords

Social Phobia, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Social Anxiety Disorder