Dr. Deborah Dobson - Social Anxiety

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with psychologist and CBT expert Dr. Deborah Dobson to discuss her new book Living Well with Social Anxiety. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Dobson offers a compassionate and highly practical look at what social anxiety is, how it develops, and most importantly—how to move beyond avoidance and toward a more connected, fulfilling life.Key ThemesUnderstanding the social anxiety cycle: thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, avoidance patterns, and how they reinforce each otherWhy avoidance feels safer—and why it makes anxiety worse long-termSelf-monitoring as a core CBT skill for breaking the cycleThe continuum from shyness to social anxiety disorder to avoidant personality traitsImpact of technology and post-pandemic remote life on anxiety and social skill atrophyExposure principles: graded, values-guided, and compassionate rather than forcefulThe role of sensitivity, empathy, and introversion as strengths rather than flawsPublic speaking, dating, small talk, and other high-anxiety social tasksThe importance of seeing social anxiety as a long-term trait that can be managed—not a personal failing or something to “cure”Maintaining gains after therapy: preventing relapse and building ongoing resilienceDeborah Dobson, PhD, spent her decades-long career specializing in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Canadian Association for CBT, and the Canadian Psychological Association. She received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for her extensive advocacy work in mental health. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2023, she continues to train and consult in CBT.