NSAC Statement on Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As a non-partisan organization dedicated to fostering evidence-based treatment and education, we reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. This means:
- Ensuring access to high-quality, culturally responsive social anxiety treatment for individuals from all backgrounds.
- Advancing research and collaboration that acknowledges the role of systemic and cultural factors in social anxiety.
- Educating therapists and the public on the intersection of identity, marginalization, and social anxiety to break down stigma and promote healing.
- Creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered to show up as their whole selves without fear of exclusion or judgment.
Together, we are building a future where every voice matters, every identity is affirmed, and every person struggling with social anxiety has the support they deserve.
* Black, Indigenous and People of Color ** Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and others who identify with this community.
Social Anxiety in Generation Z and What We Can Do to Help:
What people say about us...
"Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been extensively researched and repeatedly shown to be effective in treating social anxiety disorder. I strongly support the mission and work of the National Social Anxiety Center."
Dennis Greenberger, PhD
-Past President and Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy -Co-Author of Mind Over Mood: Change How you Feel by Changing the Way You Think -Director, Anxiety and Depression Center, Newport Beach, CA
"The response rate of modern cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder is almost 75%. Nobody has to suffer from this common and debilitating disorder. NSAC serves a key role in improving people's lives."
Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD
-President, International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy -Co-Author of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder -Director, Social Anxiety Program, Boston University
"Social anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent mental health problems in the United States, one which often severely impacts the lives of those who live with this problem. Fortunately, there are highly effective treatments available, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I wholeheartedly endorse NSAC’s work and mission."
Leslie Sokol, PhD
-Credentialing Chair and Founding Fellow, Academy of Cognitive Therapy -Director of Education, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy -Co-Author of Think Confident, Be Confident
"The National Social Anxiety Center is a fantastic resource for consumers, their families, and mental health providers to learn about social anxiety and its treatment, and to find competent practitioners. All of the regional clinics that partner with NSAC have clinicians who are certified in CBT, so you know you will receive good care there."
Daniel Beck, LICSW
-Director of the CBT and Social Work Training Initiative at the Boston University School of Social Work -Instructor in CBT and social work at the Boston University and Simmons College -Founding Fellow of The Academy of Cognitive Therapy
“I endorse NSAC. Social anxiety is a very common disorder, makes people suffer, and limits their lives. Social anxiety sufferers may be certain that they will have the best treatment if they look for any one of the NSAC regional clinics.”
Irismar Reis de Oliveira, MD, PhD
-Developer of Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy -Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy -Author of 2 books (including Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy: a Manual for Clinicians), 115 articles, 15 book chapters, and editor of 3 other books, all related to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
"Best of the Counseling and Mental Health Web” Award
Mastering Counseling podcast, United Kingdom
(a show for mental health professionals and students)
Listen here to NSAC’s award.
NSAC in the News
Post-Event Rumination
Read this article in Vogue featuring an interview with NSAC Board member, and director of NSAC Kalamazoo, Janeé Steele, PhD, LPC, A-CBT, about the common problem of ruminating about our performance after interactions we experienced with social anxiety.
Rejection Therapy
Learn about this bold and often fun form of exposure therapy for social anxiety in this CNN interview with Taylor Wilmer, PhD, ABPP, NSAC Associate, Board member and Clinical Education Coordinator. Kevin Chapman, PhD, HSPP, A-CBT, NSAC Board member and director of NSAC Louisville, is interviewed about rejection therapy in this SELF article. Watch one amusing example of rejection therapy in action in a a behavioral experiment conducted by NSAC Chair, Larry Cohen, LICSW, A-CBT (NSAC DC).
CBT Approach to Manifesting
Learn about the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to “manifesting”, including for social anxiety, by watching this NBC Today Show interview with Chamin Ajjan, LCSW, A-CBT, CST, NSAC Marketing Coordinator, Board member, and director of NSAC Brooklyn.
Public Speaking Anxiety
Get practical suggestions on overcoming public speaking anxiety anxiety in this CNBC article by the NSAC Marketing Coordinator, Board member, and director of NSAC Brooklyn, Chamin Ajjan, LCSW, A-CBT, CST.
Socially Anxious about Resuming In-Person Activity?
Podcast interview with NSAC Cochair, Lauren Neaman, PsyD, A-CBT (NSAC Chicago).
New York Times interview with NSAC Cochair, Larry Cohen, LICSW, A-CBT (NSAC DC).
What is Social Anxiety?
Listen to this Canadian Mental Health Association radio interview with NSAC Chair, Larry Cohen, LICSW, A-CBT (NSAC DC) for an introduction to what social anxiety is, and its treatment using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Exposure Therapy
Listen to this St Louis Public Radio interview, and read this Signs of the Times (SOTT) interview with NSAC Board member and director of NSAC St. Louis, Suma Chand, PhD, A-CBT, about using exposure therapy for social anxiety and other phobias.
CBT for Social Anxiety in Action
Listen to this National Public Radio (NPR) story about cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety, in which NSAC cofounder and Chair, Larry Cohen, LICSW, A-CBT (NSAC DC) and one of the members in his social anxiety CBT group are interviewed. Listen to that group member conduct a behavioral experiment (exposure) with a stranger in a public plaza.