An Overview of Social Skills Training

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSocial Skills Training and SADSocial Skills Training TechniquesResearch and EvidenceAreas of DevelopmentProblems With Social Skills Training

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Social Skills Training and SAD

Social Skills Training Techniques

Research and Evidence

Areas of Development

Problems With Social Skills Training

It is delivered either individually or in a group format, usually once or twice a week, and is often used as one component of a combined treatment program.

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Social anxietycan have an impact on social skills in a variety of ways. People withsocial anxiety disorder (SAD)are less likely to engage in social interactions, giving them less opportunity to build skills and gain confidence.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of American notes that people with social anxiety disorder don’t necessarily lack social skills. Instead, they tend to get so overwhelmed with their anxiety that they have problems utilizing their skills.

Social skills training can help people feel more comfortable and utilize their communication and interpersonal skills more effectively.

SAD can also directly impact social behavior regardless of skill level. For example, you may know thateye contactis important but feel unable to maintain it during a conversation because of fear.

Social Anxiety Disorder Has Replaced Social Phobia

SST has been shown to be effective in improving social skills for those with SAD regardless of the social issue. If there is a skills deficit, you can learn how to better manage social interactions.

If social anxiety is masking your social ability, practice andexposureduring SST can help improve your confidence and self-esteem and reduce your anxiety about social situations. For those with social anxiety disorder, SST is often used in combination with other treatments such ascognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)ormedication.

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SST generally begins with an assessment of your specific skill deficits and impairments. Your therapist may ask you which social interactions you find the most challenging or which skills you feel could be improved. The goal of this process is to identify the best targets for social skills training for your particular situation.

Once specific target areas are identified, techniques for improving social skills are introduced. Usually, changes are made in one area at a time to ensure you don’t get overwhelmed.

A therapist may describe a particular skill, explain how to carry it out, and model the behavior. Complex behaviors like how to carry on a conversation may be broken down into smaller pieces such asintroducing yourself, making small talk, and leaving a conversation. Therapists will also discuss both verbal and nonverbal behaviors.

SST TechniquesBehavioral rehearsal: Role play which involves practicing new skills during therapy in simulated situationsCorrective feedback: Used to help improve social skills during practiceInstruction: The educational component of SST that involves the modeling of appropriate social behaviorsPositive reinforcement: used to reward improvements in social skillsWeeklyhomework assignments: Provide the chance to practice new social skills outside of therapy

SST Techniques

Behavioral rehearsal: Role play which involves practicing new skills during therapy in simulated situationsCorrective feedback: Used to help improve social skills during practiceInstruction: The educational component of SST that involves the modeling of appropriate social behaviorsPositive reinforcement: used to reward improvements in social skillsWeeklyhomework assignments: Provide the chance to practice new social skills outside of therapy

Research on the use of SST in treating SAD shows that it is effective whether executed alone or with another form of treatment. SST has also been shown to increase the results of group CBT for SAD.

In general, SST is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive treatment program involving multiple components. Therefore, if you have severe social anxiety, social skills training may be helpful for you—both for your social skills and anxiety about social situations.

RecapSocial skills training can help people learn or re-learn certain social practices, but it is just one part of a intervention program for anxiety and other conditions. Research has found that it is most effective when it used to augment other therapies, which may include CBT and exposure therapy.

Recap

Social skills training can help people learn or re-learn certain social practices, but it is just one part of a intervention program for anxiety and other conditions. Research has found that it is most effective when it used to augment other therapies, which may include CBT and exposure therapy.

Social skills are the building blocks of social interaction. If you have SAD, you may have missed out on developing some of these important skills. However, you can always learn them no matter your age.

Being Assertive

Assertiveness helps you relate to others in a way that balances the needs of everyone. If you have a tendency to defer to others, it can feel uncomfortable when you first start asserting yourself. However, in the long run, assertiveness will help to reduce anxiety and make both you and the people around you more comfortable.

How Can I Be More Assertive When I Have Social Anxiety?

Communicating Non-Verbally

Nonverbal communication, also known as body language, plays a large role in communication. People with social anxiety disorder tend to have “closed” body language that signals to others that you are unapproachable or unfriendly. While this is a natural result of anxiety, it is possible to work on having more open and friendly nonverbal behaviors.

How to Be More Approachable

Communicating Verbally

Verbal communication is another skill. The art of conversation may seem like a puzzle if you have social anxiety disorder. You probably have troubleknowing what to sayor feel uncomfortable talking about yourself. But, conversations are foundational to building relationships and knowing how to better navigate them will help you get acquainted with those around you.

How to Socialize When You Have Social Anxiety Disorder

Making Introductions

Introductions are a way of making people feel comfortable. Whether you are called upon to make introductions or you are being introduced, it is important to know the rules of these social encounters. Knowing how to confidently make introductions is a very useful social skill.

Practicing Active Listening

Active listening involves paying attention, asking questions, and reflecting on what someone says. When you practice active listening, the other person in the conversation feels heard. If you are coping with SAD, practicing active listening may actually help you focus more on others and less on yourself.

7 Active Listening Techniques For Better Communication

Overcoming Telephone Phobia

While the telephone is part of communication, it has its own peculiarities that can make it difficult for those with a social anxiety disorder. You might be afraid to answer the phone, make calls, or even record a voice greeting.

If you have a phobia of using the phone, there are a number of tips and tricks that you can use to overcome your fear. In addition, you can practice exposure therapy on your own to gradually desensitize yourself to using the phone.

Phone Anxiety

Accepting and Giving Compliments

If you live with SAD, you probably have trouble gracefully accepting compliments and may not give compliments easily. Learning these two social skills is important. Compliments are a way of initiating and deepening relationships. They are also great conversation starters and a good way to show appreciation for others.

How Do You Accept a Compliment With SAD?

While it was once believed that people withautismand other forms of neurodivergence needed to learn social skills, this view is outdated. This approach is not neurodiversity-affirming and tries to impose neurotypical standards on people who are not neurotypical.

People with autism approach social interactions differently because of how their brains process information, not because they lack social skills. Their interpersonal style may differ from that of a neurotypical person, but that does not mean that it needs to be changed.

Alternatives to social skills training include:

Social anxiety disorder can co-occur with forms of neurodivergence, such as autism andattention-deficit activity disorder (ADHD).The challenges of managing such conditions in a neurotypical society may contribute to feelings of social anxiety.

In such instances, it is important to work with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist to determine what support strategies would be more helpful for you.

Keep in Mind

Building and improving upon your social skills is an important component of treatment for social anxiety disorder and is crucial to better negotiating social situations. If you find yourself severely lacking social skills, talk with your treatment professional about training or other methods for improving your abilities.

If you have not yet beendiagnosed with SAD, the first step is to visit your doctor. From there, you can work together to design atreatment planthat meets your specific needs.

If you or a loved one are struggling with social anxiety disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The Neurodivergent Guide to Socializing

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Social Anxiety Disorder: Recognition, Assessment and Treatment. Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society. (NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 159.) 2, Social Anxiety Disorder. 2013.Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Social skills training (SST): A tool for social anxiety disorder: In conversation with 2023 ADAA Annual Conference presenters.Beidel DC, Alfano CA, Kofler MJ, Rao PA, Scharfstein L, Wong Sarver N.The impact of social skills training for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.J Anxiety Disord. 2015;28(8):908-18. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.09.016Mueser KT, Gottlieb JD, Gingerich S.Social skills and problem-solving training.The Wiley Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 2013. doi:10.1002/9781118528563.wbcbt12Scaini S, Belotti R, Ogliari A, Battaglia M.A comprehensive meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral interventions for social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;42:105-12. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.008Gilboa-Schechtman E, Shachar-Lavie I.More than a face: a unified theoretical perspective on nonverbal social cue processing in social anxiety.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:904. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00904Briot K, Jean F, Jouni A, et al.Social anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders contribute to impairments in social communication and social motivation.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:710. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00710

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Social Anxiety Disorder: Recognition, Assessment and Treatment. Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society. (NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 159.) 2, Social Anxiety Disorder. 2013.Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Social skills training (SST): A tool for social anxiety disorder: In conversation with 2023 ADAA Annual Conference presenters.Beidel DC, Alfano CA, Kofler MJ, Rao PA, Scharfstein L, Wong Sarver N.The impact of social skills training for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.J Anxiety Disord. 2015;28(8):908-18. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.09.016Mueser KT, Gottlieb JD, Gingerich S.Social skills and problem-solving training.The Wiley Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 2013. doi:10.1002/9781118528563.wbcbt12Scaini S, Belotti R, Ogliari A, Battaglia M.A comprehensive meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral interventions for social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;42:105-12. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.008Gilboa-Schechtman E, Shachar-Lavie I.More than a face: a unified theoretical perspective on nonverbal social cue processing in social anxiety.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:904. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00904Briot K, Jean F, Jouni A, et al.Social anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders contribute to impairments in social communication and social motivation.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:710. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00710

National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK).Social Anxiety Disorder: Recognition, Assessment and Treatment. Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society. (NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 159.) 2, Social Anxiety Disorder. 2013.Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Social skills training (SST): A tool for social anxiety disorder: In conversation with 2023 ADAA Annual Conference presenters.Beidel DC, Alfano CA, Kofler MJ, Rao PA, Scharfstein L, Wong Sarver N.The impact of social skills training for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.J Anxiety Disord. 2015;28(8):908-18. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.09.016Mueser KT, Gottlieb JD, Gingerich S.Social skills and problem-solving training.The Wiley Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 2013. doi:10.1002/9781118528563.wbcbt12Scaini S, Belotti R, Ogliari A, Battaglia M.A comprehensive meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral interventions for social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;42:105-12. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.008Gilboa-Schechtman E, Shachar-Lavie I.More than a face: a unified theoretical perspective on nonverbal social cue processing in social anxiety.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:904. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00904Briot K, Jean F, Jouni A, et al.Social anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders contribute to impairments in social communication and social motivation.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:710. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00710

Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Social skills training (SST): A tool for social anxiety disorder: In conversation with 2023 ADAA Annual Conference presenters.

Beidel DC, Alfano CA, Kofler MJ, Rao PA, Scharfstein L, Wong Sarver N.The impact of social skills training for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.J Anxiety Disord. 2015;28(8):908-18. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.09.016

Mueser KT, Gottlieb JD, Gingerich S.Social skills and problem-solving training.The Wiley Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 2013. doi:10.1002/9781118528563.wbcbt12

Scaini S, Belotti R, Ogliari A, Battaglia M.A comprehensive meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral interventions for social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;42:105-12. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.008

Gilboa-Schechtman E, Shachar-Lavie I.More than a face: a unified theoretical perspective on nonverbal social cue processing in social anxiety.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:904. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00904

Briot K, Jean F, Jouni A, et al.Social anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders contribute to impairments in social communication and social motivation.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:710. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00710

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SST Techniques#

Recap#

Being Assertive#

Communicating Non-Verbally#

Communicating Verbally#

Making Introductions#

Practicing Active Listening#

Overcoming Telephone Phobia#

Accepting and Giving Compliments#

Keep in Mind#