Social Anxiety: Communication Practice Through a Ready-Made Text

Social anxiety is a powerful barrier for communication. The thought "what will they think" paralyzes. Chitacle offers a gentle trainer: partner reading of a play, where "they" is one person, and your words are the author's words, not yours.

What social anxiety is

Social anxiety (or social phobia) is the fear of judgment in social situations. Not the fear of people in general, but the fear of their assessment: "what will they think," "how do I look," "what did I just say." In severe form it leads to avoidance of any contacts.

Social anxiety is treated with therapy and gradual exposure — dosed presence in social situations. Chitacle can be one of these dosed situations.

How Chitacle helps with social anxiety

• One person, not a crowd. One-on-one video call — low social load.
• Someone else's text. No need to "think up what to say."
• The shelter of the role. The words aren't yours — evaluative pressure is weaker.
• You can leave. Closed the tab — nobody will run after you.
• Home is your territory. No need to go to a new unfamiliar place.

How to use in practice

The psychologist and the client can agree:

• Step 1. First meeting — the psychologist meets the client on Chitacle themselves, they read a play together.
• Step 2. If the first step went easily — the client goes to the ordinary mode with an unknown partner.
• Step 3. Discussion of the experience with the psychologist — what was hard, what was easier than expected.
• Step 4. Repetition at a growing pace — weekly meetings on Chitacle as part of therapy.

Online supervision through the viewer mode

In the Schedule a Meeting, Read to Me, and Read with a Friend modes, viewers can be invited to the meeting by link — authorization is not required. This gives the psychologist the opportunity to be present at the supervisee's meeting as a quiet observer.

For working with social anxiety this is especially important: the supervisee knows that you're nearby, but the partner doesn't know. The psychologist observes the live situation of contact — what's usually unavailable in the office — and can then analyze the experience with their supervisee.

What's special about this

Chitacle isn't a "social event." It's a private reading of a play disguised as meeting. For a client with social phobia this is a small step, easier to take than "go to an event."

What's important for the therapist

• Don't send the client "into shock." Explain the format and expectations.
• Pick suitable plays. A selection can be requested at chitacle.online@gmail.com.
• Discuss the experience. Every meeting is material for conversation.
• Don't consider Chitacle a replacement for therapy. It's a supportive tool.

Frequently asked questions

Your first meeting is on us

Head to the Dressing Room at play-read.online and check the box.