Using the Neuroscience of Fear Extinction for Anxiety Reduction (UNFEAR)
Social Anxiety
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Social Anxiety focused on measuring Exposure therapy, Behavioral therapy, fMRI, Extinction learning, Social anxiety
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- age 18-50
- primary diagnosis of social anxiety disorder
- fluent spoken and written English
- able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- history of mania or psychosis
- current moderate or severe substance use disorder
- current major depression greater than moderate severity
- high risk for suicide
- prior traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness >5 minutes
- general medical condition or impediment to vision, hearing, or motor function likely to interfere with assessments
- prior exposure therapy (>2 sessions)
- current use of psychotropic medication
- current psychotherapy other than couples counseling
- post-menopausal status
- pregnancy
Sites / Locations
- Stanford University Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Immediate therapy
Waitlist
Participants randomized to the immediate therapy arm will receive a weekly individual psychotherapy intervention called Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM). The CALM program is an evidence based, exposure-focused therapy (http://calmtoolsforliving.org). Its computer-assisted format guides the therapist through psychoeducation, an introduction to cognitive restructuring, in-session and at-home exposures, and relapse prevention. Therapy will be delivered in 10 weekly 50-minute sessions within a 12 week period.
Participants randomized to the waitlist arm will receive no intervention for 12 weeks. After this 12 week period they will receive a the same weekly individual psychotherapy intervention as the immediate therapy group: Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM). The CALM program is an evidence based, exposure-focused therapy (http://calmtoolsforliving.org). Its computer-assisted format guides the therapist through psychoeducation, an introduction to cognitive restructuring, in-session and at-home exposures, and relapse prevention. Therapy will be delivered in 10 weekly 50-minute sessions within a 12 week period.