M.D.

To Social Anxiety Institute List subscribers and Dr. Richards,

First, let me thank you Dr. Richards for all that you have done. I recently purchased the therapy series and I'm currently on #6.

I practice consistently on a daily basis for at least 30 minutes and although I felt small changes early on, I am now really beginning to feel a true difference in many aspects of my life.

Although I have not been in a situation requiring public speaking, I do not dread the thought of one. I have many presentations to give in the next 4 years as a medical resident and fellow but the thought of giving up no longer exists. That would not be the true me, rather the old anxiety within me.

The reason I'm writing today is to share these new thoughts and feelings but also a more tangible difference.

I woke up this morning, a few hours earlier than usual, energized, motivated and WITHOUT feeling anxiety. I have woken up to anxiety every morning for the past 14-15 years so I cannot put into

words how free I felt this morning. Needless to say I slept well too.

I drove to a local coffee house, read the paper and started my new day.....my new life.

The realist within me keeps gently reminding that improvement is not linear but gradual with minor setbacks. 2 steps forward, 1 step back.

With that thought I look forward to watching the difference accumulate over time.

Thanks again

Moments of Therapy

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About SAI

The Social Anxiety Institute is the only treatment center in the world that specializes solely in the treatment of social anxiety.

Dr. Thomas A. Richards currently runs all our treatment programs and is a leading clinical authority on the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Dr. Richards began seeing patients with social anxiety in the early 1990s and has seen thousands of patients since that time. The first CBT therapy group for social anxiety started in 1994. International therapy groups began in 1998.

Our emphasis is on treatment of social anxiety disorder (i.e., how do you get over it?) Our CBT therapy programs allow people to overcome social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder must be comprehensive and cover all aspects of social anxiety. Our groups are active, structured groups that work on anti-anxiety strategies on a daily, consistent basis. Cognitive therapy includes strategies to learn how to think and believe differently about ourselves. Behavioral therapy puts the cognitive strategies into place in your daily life.

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