Avoid Repeating the Past

Doing the exact same thing over and over again, which leads to more anxiety, is not a rational way to proceed.  This saying has been attributed to many people, especially to Albert Einstein.  It is very appropriate for overcoming social anxiety.  Many people do the same things over and over again...and hope for a different result, intent on "getting over" their anxiety.

Rationally, this can't work.  If we do the same things over and over, we will get the same exact results (anxiety).  The solution is a paradox -- it's counterintuitive -- we must do something entirely different.

Every solution to overcoming social anxiety is paradoxical or counterintuitive.  Here at SAI, we gently move against our anxiety symptoms step by step.  The honest truth is that we have never had anyone with social anxiety not get better permanently...if they follow our structured CBT program.

Sometimes an understanding of proper therapy techniques is really what’s lacking. Therapists or group leaders must understand how to help people get through these paradoxical and counterintuitive strategies...by doing it systematically and successfully.   We are only looking for a PERMANENT change, not a temporary fix.