Social anxiety is a common and painful problem that makes it hard to interact comfortably with others. It can
interfere with many aspects of people’s lives. This booklet explains how to overcome the problem using cognitivebehavioural
methods. The ideas in it are designed to help people become less self-conscious and more confident.
They are clearly described, so that they can be applied in many different situations. Many people have found that
using them helps to make their social lives more relaxed and enjoyable.
Gillian Butler is a consultant clinical psychologist and cognitive therapist who helped to develop effective treatments for
anxiety. She has been pleased to discover that many more people can be helped, and can also learn how to help
themselves, when these treatments are made widely available and easy to understand.