CHAPTER 8
Exposure to Social Situations
In chapter 7, we provided an overview of the basic principles underlying exposure-based 
treatments for social anxiety. In this chapter, we’ll present additional information about 
how to use these strategies to confront the social and performance situations that make 
you anxious or uncomfortable. You should be very familiar with the material in chapter 
7 before moving on to this chapter. As noted earlier, we suggest that you use the cogni -
tive strategies described in chapter 6 to combat anxious thinking before, during, and 
after exposure practices. During practices, you should refrain from using subtle avoid -
ance techniques such as distraction, drugs or alcohol, and safety behaviors (for example, 
eating in a dimly lit restaurant so people don’t notice your blushing). Finally, a reminder 
that exposure works best when practices are:
UÊFrequent (daily, if possible)
UÊProlonged (until the anxiety decreases)
UÊPredictable and controllable
UÊPlanned in advance
UÊConducted in a variety of different situations
SITUATIONAL EXPOSURE PRACTICES
This section provides suggestions for exposure practices involving different types of 
social and performance situations, including public speaking, making small talk, meeting 
new friends and dating, situations involving conﬂict with others, being the center of