Self-Compassion for Social Anxiety

This intervention was developed for individuals experiencing elevated social anxiety and shame. It is grounded in research showing that shame is a core feature and maintaining factor of social anxiety, closely linked to self-focused attention, post-event processing, and self-criticism.

The intervention consists of structured writing exercises rooted in three components of self-compassion: mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness. It also addresses fears of self-compassion and culturally mediated shame through guided reflection.

The intervention has two stages designed to be completed over two weeks. Stage 1 introduces self-compassion and guides you through a writing exercise. You are encouraged to complete Stage 1 twice. Stage 2 builds on this with additional exercises addressing fears of self-compassion and creating a personal self-compassion phrase. You are encouraged to complete Stage 2 three times. Each session takes approximately 15–20 minutes.

In a randomized controlled study, participants who completed this intervention demonstrated significant reductions in shame and increases in self-compassion, with gains maintained at one-month follow-up. The intervention also reduced self-focused attention, post-event processing, social anxiety symptoms, and behavioral avoidance.