Improv for Anxiety Impact to Treat Social Phobia

The Improv for Anxiety, the unique therapeutic program of its kind was founded by Mark Pfeffer, the renowned cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Therapist and the director of the Panic/Anxiety Recovery Center. The program was launched in August 2011 as a joint effort by the Panic/Anxiety Recovery Center and the instructors of The Second City, Chicago - the popular sketch comedy troupe for anxiety improvement.

The sole aim of this sort of molded program is to assist the adults with social phobia complication also called the social anxiety disorder. The overwhelming success within a short span of time, helped to spread the program with zealous impact. Now the team has developed social anxiety programs, especially for the teenagers. This is an 8 week therapeutic program structured for patients with anxiety disorder to move free from their fear of social interaction which is the outcome of extreme susceptibility to face the social queries.

Describing the perception of formulating such a program, Pfeffer described that the idea of developing the unique social anxiety program was the outcome of his immense “frustration” that emerged during his career as a therapist when he dealt with clients not working towards psychotherapy initiatives despite hard struggle due to social anxiety.

Prior to the development of the program, Pfeffer was conducting improvisation classes at the venue of The Second City Training Center in the city of Chicago. During this period he discovered that mirthful and safe atmosphere at the center was perfect for developing skills of speaking in the public, boost self confidence, and acquire convenience of interacting in the social atmosphere. Initially the team of instructors worked with 8 to 12 participants to form a batch for a session the program. Pfeffer revealed that over 200 people have attended the program and achieved success from it.

Besides Pfeffer, Piero Procaccini, the instructor and the program team member at The Second City Training Center in Chicago played an eminent role in executing the program to its success every session. Pfeffer and Procaccini based the program on improvisation therapeutic tool that plays magnificent role in social anxiety management. The Improv for Anxiety program is based on the principles of collaboration and acceptance to consider the sayings of all the participants as right and appropriate.

The improvisation therapeutic methodologies are based on the principles of: 

• Developing a willingness for assorting actions

• Remain present in the moment

• Analytical reserve judgment about own self and the people around 

• Enter the bounds of focus of others

The Improv therapeutic program induces exercising to engage the clients in activities that pose discomfort for them. The workshop sessions allow the participants to play games in groups. All these tactics are directed to boost confidence in the person. The playful, interesting and engaging atmosphere of like minded people with the freedom of expression not only eliminates the anxiety complications, but also helps the patients get into a normal life in a playful manner. The successful completion as the program graduates later appears at the workshop for self reporting on the improvisation and explains the system and how it helped him to improve the condition.