Which psychological therapy aims to help clients identify and challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs associated with their phobias?

Choice A rationale:

Social phobia is a fear of a particular stimulus that triggers an excessive and unreasonable response. This description aligns more closely with the definition of a specific phobia rather than social phobia. Specific phobias involve a fear of specific objects or situations, not general social interactions.

Choice B rationale:

Social phobia is a fear of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social or performance situations. This is the correct answer. Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is characterized by an intense fear of negative evaluation in social settings. Individuals with social phobia are often excessively self-conscious and fear humiliation or embarrassment when interacting with others.

Choice C rationale:

Social phobia is a fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing. This description aligns with agoraphobia, which involves a fear of situations from which escape may be challenging, rather than social phobia.

Choice D rationale:

Social phobia is a fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger. This description aligns more with the definition of a specific phobia, where the fear is often triggered by a specific object or situation that poses limited real danger.

Choice B rationale:

The client's intense fear of embarrassing themselves in front of others and the specific fear related to giving a presentation are indicative of social phobia (social anxiety disorder) Social phobia involves an excessive fear of social situations where the individual fears negative evaluation or judgment by others, leading to avoidance of such situations.

Choice A rationale:

While the client's fear is related to public speaking, the emphasis is on the fear of embarrassment and negative evaluation rather than a fear of a specific object or situation, which aligns more with social phobia.

Choice C rationale:

Agoraphobia does not align with the client's fear of public speaking. Agoraphobia involves the fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available if a panic attack occurs, often leading to avoidance of various places or situations.

Choice D rationale:

Panic disorder involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are not explicitly mentioned in the client's statement. The focus of the client's fear is on the social aspect of giving a presentation rather than on panic attacks.