Media release

From: The University of New South Wales

Fast, effective online therapy helps people overcome social anxiety

A new UNSW Sydney and Black Dog Institute study has found that an intensive, one-week online therapy program can significantly reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD)—the most common anxiety disorder in Australia, affecting around one in seven people each year.

Published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, the research is the first randomised controlled trial to test a seven-day internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) program for social anxiety.

Lead author Dr Kayla Steele from UNSW’s School of Psychology and the Black Dog Institute says the findings highlight the potential of brief, accessible digital therapies to reach people who struggle to access traditional treatment.

“Many people with social anxiety avoid seeking help because of time, cost, or fear of judgment. A short, intensive online program could remove many of those barriers,” Dr Steele says.

Participants completed a condensed version of the THIS WAY UP program developed with St Vincent’s Hospital.

The course included six structured online lessons with clinician support over one week.

Research highlights:

- The study was the first randomised controlled trial of intensive internet delivered CBT (iCBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD).

- iCBT was found to be superior in reducing social anxiety and functional impairment at post-treatment and follow-up.

- Diagnosis of SAD also halved in the iCBT group at one-month follow-up.

- The program was well received by participants with good adherence (84% completed) and satisfaction (85% satisfied).