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Facing Social Anxiety

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Tara Greenlee

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Facing Social Anxiety Plan

Students will identify their social anxiety triggers and symptoms, learn two evidence-based coping strategies, and develop a personalized plan to manage anxiety in social settings.

Social anxiety can limit peer interactions and learning. Teaching self-awareness and practical coping skills builds student confidence, reduces worry, and fosters active participation in social and academic activities.

Audience

6th Grade Student

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Guided self-reflection and strategy practice

Materials

Social Anxiety Self-Reflection Worksheet, Anxiety Scale Chart, Coping Strategies Cards, Personalized Coping Plan Template, and Comfort Sequence Visual Aid

Prep

Material Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review all session materials: Social Anxiety Self-Reflection Worksheet, Anxiety Scale Chart, Coping Strategies Cards, Personalized Coping Plan Template, and Comfort Sequence Visual Aid
  • Print or prepare digital copies for one-on-one use
  • Familiarize yourself with breathing exercises and positive self-talk prompts on the cards
  • Test any technology needed for displaying the visual aid

Step 1

Build Rapport

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and check in on their current mood
  • Ask an open-ended question about a recent social experience to establish trust
  • Emphasize confidentiality and support for whatever they share

Step 2

Introduce Social Anxiety

5 minutes

  • Define social anxiety: worry about being judged or embarrassed in social settings
  • Show the Anxiety Scale Chart and explain how to rate anxiety from 0–10
  • Ask the student to describe moments they’ve felt anxious and rate them on the chart

Step 3

Self-Reflection Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Social Anxiety Self-Reflection Worksheet
  • Guide the student through prompts: identifying triggers, physical signs, and thoughts
  • Discuss responses to ensure understanding and validate their feelings

Step 4

Teach Coping Strategies

10 minutes

  • Introduce two strategies using the Coping Strategies Cards:
    • Deep Breathing (model inhale/exhale pattern)
    • Positive Self-Talk (demonstrate replacing negative thoughts)
  • Have the student practice each strategy and provide supportive feedback

Step 5

Develop Personalized Plan

10 minutes

  • Provide the Personalized Coping Plan Template
  • Help the student list their top triggers and assign a coping strategy to each
  • Identify who they can ask for support (teacher, friend, counselor)
  • Set a simple goal: practicing one strategy in a low-stakes setting by next session

Step 6

Practice and Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Role-play a brief social scenario and have the student apply a chosen strategy
  • Review their anxiety rating on the Anxiety Scale Chart post-practice
  • Praise their effort, remind them to use the plan, and schedule a follow-up check-in
lenny

Slide Deck

Facing Social Anxiety

Session Overview:
– Understand what social anxiety is
– Self-reflect on personal triggers & symptoms
– Learn two evidence-based coping strategies
– Create a personalized coping plan
– Practice a strategy and set goals for next time

Welcome the student and introduce today’s session on managing social anxiety. Briefly review what will be covered and set a supportive tone.

What Is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety is the fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. It can make everyday interactions feel stressful or overwhelming.

Discussion prompt: Have you ever felt this way?

Explain the definition in your own words, then ask the student to share any experiences they’ve had with feeling judged or embarrassed.

Anxiety Scale (0–10)

Use the Anxiety Scale Chart to rate your anxiety:
0 – No anxiety
10 – Extreme anxiety

Example ratings:
• Speaking in front of class: 7
• Meeting someone new: 5

Activity: Think of a recent social moment and choose a number.

Show the Anxiety Scale Chart and demonstrate how to mark a rating. Then invite the student to recall a recent situation and pick a number.

Identify Triggers & Symptoms

• Triggers: e.g., answering questions in class, meeting new people
• Physical signs: sweaty palms, racing heart
• Thoughts: “What if I mess up?”

Use the Social Anxiety Self-Reflection Worksheet to record your responses.

Distribute the reflection worksheet. Guide the student through each prompt, ask follow-up questions, and validate their feelings.

Coping Strategies

  1. Deep Breathing
    – Inhale for 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4
  2. Positive Self-Talk
    – Replace negative thoughts with supportive phrases (e.g., “I can handle this.”)

Practice both with the Coping Strategies Cards.

Introduce each strategy, model the breathing pattern, then have the student practice. For positive self-talk, suggest realistic phrases.

Your Personalized Plan

• List your top triggers & assign a strategy to each
• Identify a support person (teacher, friend, counselor)
• Set a goal: practice one strategy in a low-stakes situation

Complete the Personalized Coping Plan Template.

Help the student fill out their top triggers and pair each with a strategy. Encourage naming a go-to support person and setting a clear practice goal.

Practice & Next Steps

• Role-play a social scenario and apply your chosen strategy
• Re-rate your anxiety on the Anxiety Scale Chart
• Next steps: Use your plan in real situations and revisit progress next session.

Lead a brief role-play (e.g., greeting a peer). Prompt the student to use a strategy, then revisit the scale. Praise efforts and remind them to use the plan before your next meeting.

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Worksheet

Social Anxiety Reflection Worksheet

Use this worksheet to think about times you feel social anxiety. Be honest and detailed—there are no wrong answers!

  1. Describe a recent time when you felt anxious in a social setting (e.g., talking in class, meeting someone new). What happened?






  2. What were the triggers that made you feel anxious in that situation? (List at least two.)

  • Trigger 1: _________________________________________________

  • Trigger 2: _________________________________________________

  • Trigger 3 (optional): ________________________________________

  1. What physical signs or symptoms did you notice in your body? (e.g., sweaty palms, racing heart)






  2. What thoughts ran through your mind when you felt anxious? (e.g., “What if I mess up?”)






  3. How intense was your anxiety in this moment on a scale from 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (extreme anxiety)? _____


  4. Is there anything else you noticed about this experience? (Feelings, behaviors, context)









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lenny

Activity

Anxiety Scale Chart

Use this chart to rate your anxiety from 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (extreme anxiety). Color-coded guide:

RatingLevelDescription
0–2CalmFeeling relaxed and at ease
3–4Slightly UneasyMild discomfort but still manageable
5–6Moderately AnxiousNoticeable worry and tension
7–8Very AnxiousStrong worry with physical symptoms
9–10Extreme AnxietyOverwhelmed; may avoid or shut down

Activity: Think of a social situation you’ve experienced recently and circle the number that best matches how you felt at the moment.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Coping Strategies Cards

Card 1: Deep Breathing

  • Step 1: Sit comfortably and place one hand on your belly.
  • Step 2: Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, feeling your belly rise.
  • Step 3: Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
  • Step 4: Exhale gently through your mouth for 4 seconds, letting your belly fall.
  • Step 5: Repeat 3–5 times until you feel calmer.

Card 2: Positive Self-Talk

  • Step 1: Notice a negative thought (e.g., “I’ll mess up”).
  • Step 2: Ask if it’s 100% true.
  • Step 3: Replace it with a realistic, supportive phrase (e.g., “I can handle this”).
  • Step 4: Repeat the positive phrase silently or out loud 3 times.

Card 3: Grounding (5-4-3-2-1 Technique)

  • Step 1: Name 5 things you can see around you.
  • Step 2: Name 4 things you can touch.
  • Step 3: Name 3 things you can hear.
  • Step 4: Name 2 things you can smell.
  • Step 5: Name 1 thing you can taste.

Card 4: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

  • Step 1: Tense a muscle group (e.g., shoulders) for 5 seconds.
  • Step 2: Release and notice the relaxation for 10 seconds.
  • Step 3: Move to the next group (hands, arms, face, etc.).
  • Step 4: Continue until your whole body feels relaxed.
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lenny

Worksheet

Personalized Coping Plan Template

Use this template to pair your top social anxiety triggers with effective coping strategies, identify someone who can support you, and set a clear practice goal.

1. Your Triggers & Strategies

Trigger 1: _________________________________________________


Coping Strategy (choose one from Coping Strategies Cards): _________________________________________________


How I will use this strategy in that situation:







Anxiety goal for next time (0–10): _____


Trigger 2: _________________________________________________


Coping Strategy (choose one from Coping Strategies Cards): _________________________________________________


How I will use this strategy in that situation:







Anxiety goal for next time (0–10): _____


Trigger 3 (optional): ________________________________________


Coping Strategy (choose one from Coping Strategies Cards): _________________________________________________


How I will use this strategy in that situation:







Anxiety goal for next time (0–10): _____


2. Support Person

Who can you ask for help or encouragement when you notice your anxiety rising?
Name: _____________________________________
Role (teacher/friend/counselor/etc.): _________________________




3. Practice Goal & Reflection

My goal for practicing one of the strategies above in a low-stakes situation by our next session is:

How I will know I was successful (what I’ll look or listen for):








Anything else I want to note about my plan or next steps:






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lenny

Activity

Comfort Sequence Visual Aid

Use this visual aid to see your social comfort “ladder” and plan small steps toward bigger challenges. Identify activities for each zone, then pick a strategy from the Coping Strategies Cards to help you move up.

1. Your Comfort Sequence

Write 2–3 social activities or situations for each zone below:

Comfort Zone (Easy – activities you feel confident doing):






Stretch Zone (Slightly challenging – you feel a little nervous):






Growth Zone (More challenging – you feel quite nervous but ready to try):






Panic Zone (Overwhelming – too much anxiety right now):






2. Plan to Move Forward

Choose one activity from your Stretch Zone. Use the prompts below to plan how you’ll apply a coping strategy:

Activity: ________________________________________________
Chosen Strategy (from Coping Strategies Cards): ____________________________________

How I will use this strategy when I do this activity:






Anxiety goal for next time (0–10): _____

Support person I can ask if I feel stuck:
Name: _________________________ Role: _________________________



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lenny