Changing Interpretation and Judgmental Bias in Social Phobia: A Pilot Study of a Short, Highly Structured Cognitive Treatment

Interpretation and judgmental biases concerning negative evaluation are considered important maintaining factors in social phobia. Cognitive models imply that solely changing these core cognitions reduces social anxiety. Standardizing such an intervention in these core biases may simplify and shorten treatment and therefore increase its accessibility. We present pilot data (n =13) of a short (9 sessions), standardized cognitive therapy developed to intervene directly and solely in interpretation and judgmental biases in social phobia. Described are the design of this therapy and the cognitive techniques. This short therapy was effective in reducing social phobic complaints (effect size of 1.4) and interpretation and judgmental biases. In addition, we have indications that this treatment has high accessibility because of its short duration and standardization.