Shifting Attention Outward in Social Situations
A CBT social anxiety worksheet practising shifting attention from self-focus to external focus, logging situations and anxiety changes.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · CBT for social anxiety
- Approach / concern
- Anxiety & Panic
- Technique
- CBT for social anxiety
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Shifting Attention Outward in Social Situations?
Self-focused attention is a key maintaining factor in social anxiety. Training external attention reduces anxiety and improves social performance.
Why it works
Clark and Wells (1995) identified self-focused attention as central to social anxiety. Behavioural experiments comparing self- and external focus are a core CBT technique (Bennett-Levy et al., 2004).
When to use it
- Social anxiety
- Public speaking
- Meetings and parties
- Group CBT
How to use it in session
- Explain self-focus.
- Practise outward focus.
- Rate attention.
- Compare anxiety.
- Repeat in new situations.
Clinician tips
- Run a self- vs external-focus experiment in session.
- Drop safety behaviours too.
- Practise in low-stakes settings first.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Why does focusing on myself make anxiety worse?
Monitoring yourself increases awareness of anxiety and reduces attention to the conversation.
Will I forget what to say if I stop monitoring myself?
Usually the opposite: outward focus makes conversations flow more easily.
References
Clark, D. M., & Wells, A. (1995). A cognitive model of social phobia. In R. G. Heimberg, M. R. Liebowitz, D. A. Hope, & F. R. Schneier (Eds.), Social phobia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment (pp. 69-93). Guilford Press.
Bennett-Levy, J., Butler, G., Fennell, M., Hackmann, A., Mueller, M., & Westbrook, D. (Eds.). (2004). Oxford guide to behavioural experiments in cognitive therapy. Oxford University Press.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
