A patient in your clinic who has social anxiety disorder is attending your 12 week group therapy. You know the patient is showing progress when they make the following statement:

Choice A reason: Avoidance is a core symptom of social anxiety disorder and a maladaptive coping mechanism. Staying home to avoid nervousness indicates that the disorder is still controlling the patient’s behavior. Progress in therapy is marked by the patient facing feared situations rather than withdrawing from them entirely. Choice B reason: Using marijuana or alcohol to cope with social situations is a form of "safety behavior" or self-medication that prevents the patient from learning healthy self-regulation. It reinforces the belief that they cannot handle social settings without a chemical crutch, which hinders long-term therapeutic recovery and habituation. Choice C reason: While going to the event is a step forward, planning an immediate escape (asking a friend to take them home) is another safety behavior that maintains the anxiety. True progress involves staying in the situation long enough for the anxiety to naturally decrease, rather than fleeing at the first sign of discomfort. Choice D reason: Utilizing deep breathing exercises demonstrates the internal capture of self-regulation skills. It shows the patient is moving away from avoidance and toward active management of their physiological arousal. This reflects a shift toward self-efficacy and the successful application of cognitive-behavioral techniques learned during the 12 week therapy group.