Loading…
Compare your internal self-image with how you actually appear on video to challenge distorted self-perception in social anxiety.
Video feedback is a powerful technique for social anxiety. Before watching the video, write down exactly what you predict you will see (based on how you felt during the situation). Then watch the video with your therapist and record what you actually observe. The discrepancy between your prediction and reality provides direct evidence against your distorted self-image.
Use during the intervention phase of Clark and Wells' social anxiety treatment to challenge the client's distorted self-image through objective video evidence. Typically introduced after the self-image has been identified and the client predicts how they will appear.
Prepare the client by explaining the rationale carefully: the video will test whether they actually appear as anxious or awkward as they believe. Obtain detailed predictions before viewing and ensure the client understands the purpose is observation, not judgement.
For clients with very high anxiety about being filmed, start with audio-only recording or brief clips before progressing to full video. Ensure the client has full control over viewing and can pause or stop if needed. Some clients benefit from rating a stranger's video first to calibrate their judgement.
Do not use if the client has not agreed to be filmed or if video recording would be genuinely distressing beyond therapeutic benefit. Avoid if the client has body dysmorphic concerns where video feedback could reinforce appearance-focused processing.
The discrepancy between predictions and video evidence is the therapeutically active ingredient. Record specific predictions (e.g., "my hands will visibly shake", "I will look bright red") before viewing and compare systematically. Clients often need to watch multiple times before they can observe themselves objectively rather than through the lens of their feared self-image.
Suitable for clients working with social anxiety, video feedback, cbt, clark, wells, self-image, self-focused attention, behavioural experiment. This tool can be used as a standalone worksheet or as part of a structured homework plan.
Create a free account to access 10 worksheets per month.
Record and reflect on social situations to identify the role of self-focused attention, safety behaviours, and predictions.
Track changes in a specific social belief across multiple experiments — building cumulative evidence for an updated view of yourself in social situations.
Monitor and challenge the post-mortem rumination that follows social situations — a key maintenance factor in social anxiety.
Compare the effects of self-focused attention vs external focus during social situations to test whether self-focus makes anxiety worse.