Mindfulness for Social Anxiety, A Skills Group

Mindfulness for Social Anxiety, A Skills Group

This group is focused on helping clients practice mindfulness and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) interventions for the treatment of social anxiety in a warm and accepting group environment. With the help and facilitation of Steven Mollura, LPC participants will address the impact of social anxiety on one’s thoughts, physical sensations, relationships, emotions, and behaviors and then learn skills which will teach them how to overcome their social anxiety. The skill group will meet for 90 minutes each Sunday for 8 weeks beginning August 18th.

Outline of Goals:

Decrease Shame around social phobia and self-identity.

Go from avoiding social anxiety feelings to going towards them.

Social skills training and practice.

Skills to decrease distress in social situations.

Identify and pursue valued social goals

Mitigate self-sabotage thoughts and behaviors

Screening Criteria:

Age: Over 18. No upper limit to age

No Gender requirements

Readiness for Group work: While the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh is glad to work with all individuals who are experiencing a range of clinical diagnoses, some individuals who meet the diagnosis or criteria for personality disorder, severe mental disorders, avoidant or aggressive personality style,  Autism Spectrum Disorder will not be the best fit for participation in this particular group. Please keep in mind, the interventions and processes are appropriate for the specific needs of those who hold the diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder or who experience some degree of social anxiety. Additionally, no one whose anti-anxiety medication effects will interfere with group processes will be allowed to participate in group, please call and speak with Steven Mollura LPC, NCC directly to assess whether this might be true for you.

All clients will in advance agree to;

1. Confidentiality; No talking about others in or outside of session.

2. Attendance; Clients will attend all sessions and arrive on time.  

3. Participation: Clients will participate in session.

4. Clients will not come to session high or drunk, not under disruptive effects of anti-anxiety medication.

Outline per week.

1. Introduction, psychoeducation on the topic of irrational beliefs.

   1. Icebreaker

   2. Psychoeducation on social anxiety and social connection

   3. Discussion of irrational or disruptive beliefs.

2. Psychoeducation and Challenging Irrational beliefs,

   1. Process: 1.Social Situation 2. Identify Belief/s Triggered 3. Identify Feelings Experienced 4. Logical and compassionate reframes

   2. Skill focus: eye contact and posture

3. Challenging irrational beliefs and reframing.

   1. Skill: Assertive communication

   2. I statements, eye contact, posture, firm body movements.

4. Assertive communication continued

   1. Explain and practice assertive communication techniques

5. Mindful Acceptance:  Describing VERSUS Evaluating.  Acceptance of all experiences. Internal and external. Reframing.

   1. Behavioral Flexibility (freedom to choose one’s behaviors despite noise of the brain/emotions)

   2. Minimize suffering while doing so

6. Run Towards the Fear. Social Fitness Training

   1. Use of fear as a tool to move towards goals.

7. Mitigating social self sabotage.

8. Termination session

   1. Review of course.

If this is of interest to you, please call our center at 412-856-WELL

Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh in Monroeville – 2539 Monroeville BLVD Monroeville PA 15143

All participants will speak with Steven in advance for processing prior to groups start. Steven does accept United, Highmark, and UPMC insurance. Self paying clients will be charged 50.00 per group of 400 for all 8 weeks if purchased in advance.

Visit one of our other centers;

Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh

Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh- Wexford 

How to Deal with Social Anxiety Event