ACT for Social Anxiety: Working the Therapeutic Relationship

Brian-Pilecki

Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University Portland Psychotherapy

Key Points

  1. Using the therapeutic relationship to shape behavior is helpful for the client in dealing with social anxiety and fear of rejection.
  2. Modeling vulnerability in the therapeutic relationship normalizes the client’s experience, and develops their understanding of the dynamics of connection in other relationships.
  3. Through the therapeutic relationship, clients can learn that vulnerability allows them to increase connection with other people.
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Modeling Authenticity

In the ACT model, the therapeutic relationship provides opportunities for shaping client behavior in helpful ways. As mentioned, one of the core fears of social anxiety is that being authentic will lead to rejection. While in therapy, clients can have a very different, more realistic and satisfying experience that counters this expectation.

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