Group therapy experience of those with social anxiety.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is one of the most common psychiatric

disorders (Kessler et. al., 2005), and is associated with substantial impairment and

suffering (Aderka et. al., 2012). This Book focused on the treatment of SAD in a

group setting, as group interventions are widely utilised within the context of

community mental health (McEvoy, 2012). Whilst group CBT treatments for SAD

have demonstrated efficacy, a substantial proportion of people do not improve

(Rodebaugh, Holaway & Heimberg, 2004) highlighting the need to continue efforts

to enhance the protocols. The current research was directed at better understanding

how people experiencing SAD change after a successful group therapy experience.

It also aimed to understand the nature and impact of interpersonal and group process

variables within the therapy groups. The data gathered in these two domains were

utilised to identify areas in which existing group CBT treatment protocols could be

enhanced.

A qualitative research paradigm was utilised in this research to explore the

experience of participants taking part in group therapy treatments for SAD.

Fourteen people who met DSM-IV TR criteria for SAD took part in a 9 week group

therapy treatment, and then participated in a semi-structured interview. Interpretive

Phenomenological Analysis of the interview transcripts found that

phenomenological change in social anxiety occurred in five key areas. Three of

these areas (changed views of self, others, and social encounters) are incorporated

within existing theoretical frameworks and treatment protocols. The other two areas

(a changed relationship to the anxiety, and a changed way of experiencing/being with others) were novel findings in relation to existing frameworks. These new

areas of change provide new targets for therapeutic interventions in the treatment of

SAD.