A Preliminary Examination of the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of a Telehealth Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group for Social Anxiety Disorder.

• Research is needed on the effectiveness of telehealth group interventions • We evaluated a telehealth adaptation of group CBT for social anxiety disorder • The adapted intervention was acceptable to participants • Group members were highly engaged and satisfied with treatment • Group members reported decreases in social anxiety and associated symptoms In light of the growing interest in, and need for, the telehealth delivery of health care, additional research is needed on the acceptability and effectiveness of these types of interventions. This study examined the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of an adapted telehealth-delivered group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD). This report describes the adaptation and subsequent implementation of an 8-week telehealth-delivered group treatment designed to reduce symptoms of SAD. Specific adaptations for delivering treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent enactment of social distancing measures are discussed. Posttreatment data indicated that the intervention was feasible to implement in an outpatient mental health clinic, acceptable to participants, and associated with reduction in symptoms of social anxiety, general anxiety, depression, and stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]