Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a prevalent disorder in youth that follows a chronic course if left untreated and is associated with a myriad of problematic short- and long-term consequences. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be efficacious in treating SAD, however the majority of youth with SAD do not receive help for a number of reasons. Brief and/or intensive treatments for SAD might circumvent some of these barriers to treatment, yet only two studies to date have been conducted in this area. This paper provides an overview of SAD, the rationale and evidence for the use of brief/intensive therapy for the disorder, and suggestions for where research might be directed as we move into the future.
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