A new program designed to reduce social anxiety is now available at NIU’s Psychological Services Center.

According to a recent NIU press release, social anxiety can produce fear or feelings of embarrassment in activities such as public speaking, interviews and interacting with others.

Individuals with social anxiety may exhibit symptoms such as trembling, sweating, difficulty concentrating and muscle tension.

David Valentiner, director of the Anxiety Disorder Center, said he feels college can be a very important time for students to confront social anxiety.

“Young adults are challenged to build a new social network, to speak in class, give presentations and talk to other students,” Valentiner said.

Valentiner urges students who feel they may have social anxiety to seek treatment.

“Social anxiety can keep people from doing what they need to do to be successful in college,” Valentiner said.

The treatment program is based on exposure therapy and focuses on three different areas: psychoeducation, cognitive reconstruction and behavioral experiments. Initial evaluations usually consist of two face-to-face sessions.

Treatment is free to full-time students and operates on a sliding scale for nonstudents. Both individual and group therapy are available.

Katherine Stephenson, a graduate student clinician at Psychological Services, said she believes the evidence-based program can make a difference in the lives of those with social anxiety.

“Many people who have presented with symptoms of social anxiety have benefited tremendously from exposure-based therapy,” Stephenson said. “People come in afraid of a variety of social situations and, after therapy, find themselves living more of life. This is a great time for students with social anxiety to seek therapeutic services.”

Students seeking more information can contact the Psychological Services Center at 815-753-0591 or visit the Anxiety Disorders Services Web site at www.niu.edu/psyc/psc/Psych_Services_ADS.shtml or contact Dr. David Valentiner at 815-753-7086.