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Symposium

Anxiety Disorders

Global Innovations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Efficiency, Cultural Adaptation, and Immersive Delivery

3 - (SYM 17) A Randomised Wait List Controlled Trial Exploring the Efficacy of an Intensive 7-day Online CBT Program for Social Anxiety Disorder

Friday, June 26, 2026

2:48 PM - 3:09 PM PDT

Location: Golden Gate C3, B2 Level

Keywords: Randomized Controlled Trial, Adult Anxiety, Technology / Mobile Health

Speaker(s)

JN

Jill M. Newby, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

Professor
UNSW Sydney at the Black Dog Institute
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia

Co-Author(s)

KS

Kayla Steele, PhD (she/her/hers)

Postdoctoral Fellow
UNSW and Black Dog Institute
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Emily L. Upton, PsyM

PhD Candidate, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Research Officer
UNSW Sydney, The Black Dog Institute
Newstead, Queensland, Australia
MH

Monique Holden, Other

Research Officer
Black Dog Institute
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
AR

Amy Regan, M.Psych(Clinical) (she/her/hers)

Research Officer
Black Dog Institute
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
MC

Matthew Coleshill, PhD (he/him/his)

Postdoctoral Fellow
Black Dog Institute
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
SL

Sophie Li, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist
Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
AJ

Amy Joubert, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), St. Vincent’s Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
AM

Alison Mahoney, Ph.D.

Senior Clinical Psychologist, Director of Clinical Research
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincents Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
MM

Michael Millard, MBBS (he/him/his)

Director
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract Body
CBT is the recommended psychological treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and has been shown to be effective when delivered face-to-face and online. However, treatment is lengthy, and many people drop out prematurely. Past pilot research suggests that brief intensive online CBT for SAD, delivered over 7 days with remote clinician support, is feasible and acceptable, but further evaluation using randomised controlled trials (RCT) is needed.

This RCT evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of an intensive 7-day clinician-supported online CBT program for adults with a diagnosis of SAD, compared to a waitlist control (WLC). After completing baseline assessments, participants complete 6 online lessons over 7 days, with 3-4 hours of CBT skills practice per day, and clinician guidance provided remotely (phone/email). Outcomes (social anxiety: SIAS, SPS; depression: PHQ-9; functioning: WSAS) were assessed at baseline, post and one month follow-up.

Compare to WLC, the online CBT group reported significantly lower social anxiety symptoms (Hedges' g's > .96), and functional impairment at post and follow-up (g's > .59). Depression symptoms did not differ (g's = .42). The online CBT group had lower rates of SAD (47.6 %) at follow-up compared to WLC (96.4 %). Adherence (83.9% completed 6/6 lessons) and program satisfaction (85.2 % reported being 'mostly' or 'very satisfied') were promising. 11% reported unwanted side effects, including feeling overwhelmed and stressed due to the short timeframe.

Overall, these results suggest that intensive 7-day online CBT for SAD is feasible and acceptable and leads to improved social anxiety and functioning. This brief format offers a novel, accelerated way to deliver CBT, with potential to reduce drop-out and appeal to motivated clients. Further research is needed to compare its efficacy with standard-duration online CBT and active control conditions in larger, more diverse samples, and to identify which clients benefit most from this intensive approach.