Program Summary
Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children and Adolescents (SET-C) is a small group behavioral treatment program designed to improve the social competence of children between the ages of 8 and 12 who suffer from social phobia. The goals of SET-C are to: 1) decrease social anxiety, 2) improve interpersonal social skills and functioning, 3) increase participation in social activities, and 4) improve self-concept and self-confidence.

This treatment program consists of multiple components to treat social phobia in youth through weekly group and individual sessions including education, social skills training, peer generalization, individualized in vivo exposure, and a brief parent education component. SET-C involves 24 weekly sessions with 12 group sessions covering social skills training and a peer outing following each session, and 12 individual separate sessions held on a different day covering in vivo exposure.

Program Evaluation/Results
The SET-C program was evaluated in a study published in 2000. A randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of the SET-C program in comparison to an active but nonspecific treatment called "Testbusters", a study skills and test taking strategy program for children aged 8 through 12 years old. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Social phobia, other aspects of psychopathology, social skills and performance, and self-reported social interactions were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Participants were 50 children between 8 and 12 years old (mean age =11 years) with a primary diagnosis of social phobia.

Study results indicated that children in the SET-C program were more improved than the control group in social skills and had more reduction in social fear and anxiety and associate psychopathology. In addition, 67% of the SET-C group no longer met diagnostic criteria for social phobia after treatment, compared to only 5% in the "Testbusters" group. These effects were maintained at the 6-month follow-up with only one child relapsing. Of those participants who completed the 6-month follow-up, 85% no longer met diagnostic criteria.

Treatment Components
Adult/Family Involvement
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Intersession Assignment
Other

Treatment Participants
Child
Parent
 

Duration of Treatment
12 Weeks, 24 Sessions (60-90 minutes each)

Treatment Providers
Licensed Professionals
Trainees (Graduate Student, Intern, Post-Doc)
Others: Peer Facilitators

Staffing Requirements/Training
Trained mental health professional or appropriately supervised trainees with general clinical skill, knowledge of social phobia in children, and knowledge of behavioral intervention strategies.

Peer facilitators of the same age who are not suffering from social phobia, one per child in treatment is recommended. Three adult supervisors who are not parents of children in treatment are also recommended for each Peer Generalization session outing.

It is intended that this program be implemented by mental health professionals with appropriate education, training, credentialing, and experience treating the target population.

Availability of Treatment Program Materials
Replication kit including all treatment program materials available for purchase from Sociometrics.

Sociometrics CEDETA materials are restricted to qualified purchasers in accordance with the ethical and professional standards of the American Psychological Association. CEDETA materials are therefore, only available for purchase by mail, phone or fax. For further details, see the purchaser requirements, or click below to download a qualification/order form.