Social Skills Training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Social Skills Training (SST) in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) constitutes a relevant object of study in the context of contemporary clinical psychology, especially in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Based on questions about the effectiveness of Social Skills Training techniques as a component of CBT intervention, this work aims to evaluate its application in reducing SAD symptoms. The hypothesis developed to answer the research problem is that THS, as a component of CBT, is an effective strategy for reducing anxiety symptoms and avoidance behaviors, acting directly on the deficient repertoire of social skills in patients with SAD. To develop the research, the bibliographic research method was adopted, in which data were collected from scientific databases. The databases "Google Scholar", Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Portal de Periódicos Eletrônicos em Psicologia (PePSIC) were used for the search, applying inclusion criteria (works published between 2020 and 2025, in Portuguese and English, and open access articles) and exclusion criteria (any study related to the child and adolescent population), based on the descriptors "Social skills", "Social Anxiety Disorder", "Social Phobia", "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy", and combinations thereof. A total of 5 articles were found. The results indicate that CBT is effective in assisting the treatment of anxiety disorders and that HST (Human Skills Training) is a fundamental technique that helps manage symptoms, given the negative correlation between low social skills and higher levels of anxiety. It was concluded that HST is an essential intervention in CBT, as it provides the necessary behavioral repertoire for refuting dysfunctional beliefs and promoting self-efficacy in the adult population.