Facing Social Anxiety Plan Facing Social Anxiety
Tier 3 Individual Counseling Session
Duration 45 Minutes
Objective
Students will identify their social anxiety triggers and symptoms, learn two evidence-based coping strategies, and develop a personalized plan to manage anxiety in social settings.
Materials
Social Anxiety Reflection Worksheet
Anxiety Scale Chart
Coping Strategies Cards
Personalized Coping Plan Template
Comfort Sequence Visual Aid
The "Why"
Social anxiety can limit peer interactions and learning. Teaching self-awareness and practical coping skills builds student confidence and fosters active participation.
Preparation
• Review all session materials and print digital/physical copies.
• Familiarize yourself with the breathing exercises and positive self-talk prompts.
• Test any technology needed for displaying visual aids.
Instructional Steps
5m
Build Rapport
Greet the student warmly and check in on their current mood. Ask an open-ended question about a recent social experience to establish trust. Emphasize confidentiality and support.
5m
Introduce Social Anxiety
Define social anxiety: worry about being judged or embarrassed. Use the Anxiety Scale Chart to explain rating (0–10). Have the student describe and rate recent anxious moments.
10m
Self-Reflection Activity
Guide the student through the Reflection Worksheet . Identify triggers, physical signs, and thoughts. Validate their feelings throughout the discussion.
10m
Teach Coping Strategies
Introduce strategies using the Coping Strategies Cards . Model Deep Breathing and Positive Self-Talk. Have the student practice and provide supportive feedback.
10m
Develop Personalized Plan
Complete the Coping Plan Template . Assign strategies to triggers, identify support persons, and set a simple practice goal for next week.
5m
Practice and Wrap-Up
Role-play a brief scenario and apply a strategy. Re-rate anxiety on the chart post-practice. Praise effort and schedule follow-up.
Facing Social Anxiety Slides Facing Social Anxiety
Building confidence and calm in social situations
Self-Reflection
Coping Strategies
Personalized Planning
Guided Practice
Teacher Note: Welcome the student and introduce today’s session on managing social anxiety. Briefly review what will be covered and set a supportive tone.
What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is the fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings.
It can make everyday interactions feel stressful, overwhelming, or scary.
Discussion
"Have you ever felt this way?"
It's a common feeling, and today we're going to learn tools to help you navigate it.
Teacher Note: Explain the definition in your own words, then ask the student to share any experiences they’ve had with feeling judged or embarrassed.
The Anxiety Scale (0–10)
0 - Calm
10 - Overwhelmed
123456789
Examples
• Speaking in front of class: 7-8
• Meeting someone new: 4-5
Your Turn
Think of a recent social moment.
"What was your number?"
Teacher Note: Show the Anxiety Scale Chart and demonstrate how to mark a rating. Then invite the student to recall a recent situation and pick a number.
Triggers & Symptoms
Triggers
Situations that start the anxiety (e.g., answering a question)
Physical Signs
Sweaty palms, racing heart, butterflies in stomach
Thoughts
“What if I mess up?” or “Everyone is looking at me.”
Grab your "Social Anxiety Reflection Worksheet" to record your responses.
Teacher Note: Distribute the reflection worksheet. Guide the student through each prompt, ask follow-up questions, and validate their feelings.
Coping Strategies
1. Deep Breathing
Inhale for 4 seconds
Hold for 4 seconds
Exhale for 4 seconds
2. Positive Self-Talk
Replace negative thoughts with supportive, realistic ones.
"I can handle this. I am safe."
Let's practice these now!
Teacher Note: Introduce each strategy, model the breathing pattern, then have the student practice. For positive self-talk, suggest realistic phrases.
Your Personalized Plan
1
List your top triggers & assign a strategy to each.
2
Identify a support person (teacher, friend, counselor).
3
Set a goal to practice one strategy this week.
Open the
Teacher Note: Help the student fill out their top triggers and pair each with a strategy. Encourage naming a go-to support person and setting a clear practice goal.
Ready for Takeoff
Action Time
Role-play a quick scenario & use your strategy
Re-rate your anxiety on the scale
Mission: Confidence
Use your plan in real life this week! We'll talk about how it went next time.
"You've got this. One breath at a time."
Teacher Note: Lead a brief role-play (e.g., greeting a peer). Prompt the student to use a strategy, then revisit the scale. Praise efforts and remind them to use the plan.
Social Anxiety Reflection Worksheet Social Anxiety Reflection
Think about times you feel social anxiety. There are no wrong answers!
Name:
Date:
1
Describe a recent time when you felt anxious in a social setting.
(Examples: talking in class, meeting someone new, eating in the cafeteria)
2
What were the "triggers" that made you feel anxious in that situation?
Trigger 1:
Trigger 2:
3
Physical Signs
How did your body feel?
4
Your Thoughts
What ran through your mind?
5
Intensity (0–10)
/ 10
6
Other Observations
Identify
Understand
Grow
Anxiety Scale Chart The Anxiety Scale
Rating your feelings from calm to overwhelmed
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
No Anxiety Mild Moderate Strong Extreme
Rating Level Description 0 – 2 Calm Feeling relaxed and at ease. Body is calm. 3 – 4 Slightly Uneasy Mild discomfort but still manageable and focused. 5 – 6 Moderately Anxious Noticeable worry. Tension in body. Thoughts racing a bit. 7 – 8 Very Anxious Strong worry. Physical symptoms (sweating, heart racing). 9 – 10 Extreme Anxiety Overwhelmed. Feeling like you need to avoid or leave.
Activity
Think of a social situation you’ve experienced recently. Circle the number on the scale above that best matches how you felt at that moment.
Wait for your counselor to discuss
Coping Strategies Cards Deep Breathing
Sit comfortably and place one hand on your belly.
Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Exhale gently through your mouth for 4 seconds.
Repeat 3–5 times until you feel calmer.
Calm Harbor Coping Cards
Self-Talk
Notice a negative thought (e.g., “I’ll mess up”).
Ask yourself: “Is this 100% true?”
Replace it with a supportive phrase like: “I can handle this.”
Repeat the positive phrase silently 3 times.
Calm Harbor Coping Cards
Grounding
The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique
5 Things you can SEE
4 Things you can TOUCH
3 Things you can HEAR
2 Things you can SMELL
1 Thing you can TASTE
Calm Harbor Coping Cards
Relaxation
Tense a muscle group (like your shoulders) for 5 seconds.
Release the tension suddenly.
Notice the feeling of relaxation for 10 seconds.
Move to the next group (hands, face, legs).
Calm Harbor Coping Cards
✂️ Cut along the margins to create your own pocket-sized coping cards
Personalized Coping Plan Template My Coping Plan
Status
Active Plan
Scenario 01
The Trigger
Chosen Strategy
How I'll Use It
Anxiety Goal: / 10
Scenario 02
The Trigger
Chosen Strategy
How I'll Use It
Anxiety Goal: / 10
Support Team
Name
Role (e.g. Counselor)
My Next Practice Goal
Goal:
Success:
"Preparation is the key to calm. You have the tools you need."
Comfort Sequence Visual Aid Comfort Sequence
Your step-by-step guide to social growth
Panic Zone
Too much right now
Growth Zone
Quite nervous but ready
Stretch Zone
A little nervous
Comfort Zone
Confident and relaxed
Plan to Move Forward
Target Activity (from Stretch Zone)
Chosen Strategy
How I will use it
Support Person:
