We have probably all seen times when clients express difficulties with social interactions. Sometimes this can be due to things like social anxiety, where the client is perceiving that they are having difficulties. Other times they might experience depression and be less motivated to engage socially. But sometimes clients have difficulties with social skills themselves. Luckily, social skills training (SST) benefits client social outcomes and mood.
Social interaction difficulties can occur due to misunderstanding of social cues and how to interact with others in a way that will promote one’s goals (for example making friends, meeting dating partners). Other times individuals may understand social cues, but just not necessarily know what to do with those cues.
Individuals who struggle with social skills may encounter challenges in different areas of life. First, these difficulties can be straight distressing at times. Feeling like you are “F-ing” it up in social interactions can contribute to depression and/or social anxiety. In the case of social anxiety, sometimes individuals merely perceive that they are not effective socially. Other times, they actually do not interact effectively.
Second, we humans are such social creatures. Our psychological functioning is often related to the extent to which we can interact with others. Social support is found to be one of the greatest predictors of resilience in response to a number of difficulties including stress and trauma. Difficulties with social interactions often prevent people from developing relationships or accessing important sources of social support. These sources buffer against things like social anxiety, depression, or trauma/PTSD.
Still, other times, social interactions can be part of certain existing conditions or developmental disorders. For example, those who experience autism spectrum disorders find it difficult to understand social interactions and respond appropriately. That can lead to emotionally distressing situations in itself, but can also contribute to things like comorbid social anxiety.
Research strongly supports the use of social skills training in therapy as a way to alleviate these challenges. Social Skills Training (SST) mainly involves role playing specific situations. Clients then behaviorally rehearse targeted skills in continued role plays. The therapist provides positive and corrective feedback following to shape more effective skills. Clients further practice these skills on their own in the real world (this step is crucial) and receive continued feedback in sessions.
SST seems pretty intuitive, right? But how clinicians conduct SST is key. So what therapist resources exist to help clients build social skills? There are good continuing education trainings that include social skills training as a major component: Problem Solving Therapy (PST) training and social anxiety training. These skills can be applied for social skills generally.
These social skills are also similar to those described in interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). IPT is specifically targeted for depression, but helps individuals learn to interact and assert needs with loved ones and close friends. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provides certain applied training social skills and assertiveness. There is also a great book that discusses evidence and methods for social skills training (SST) for clients.
Although helping to build social skills might seem pretty intuitive, continuing education trainings help therapists understand which social skills are best to in part to clients. These trainings also boost therapist resources by focusing on methods to most effectively help clients build these skills.
