Mindfulness and Task Concentration Training for Social Phobia: A Pilot Study

A new treatment for social phobia is evaluated: mindfulness training and task concentration training. The treatment consisted of nine sessions of 45-60 minutes and was administered individually. Nine severely socially phobic patients participated. No changes in complaints were observed during the waiting-list period. One patient withdrew during the treatment. Results show that treatment was well accepted and highly effective in reducing social phobia, and results were maintained at a 2-month follow-up. Effects of the treatment were most pronounced on Fear of Negative Evaluation and on the self-ideal discrepancy. Attention as well as cognitive changes may be responsible for the effectiveness. Explanations for the effects and clinical implications are discussed.