1. **Reduction of Anxiety Symptoms**: Hypnosis has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms across various contexts. Through guided relaxation and targeted suggestions, hypnosis can help individuals manage the physiological and cognitive symptoms of social anxiety, such as excessive worry, rapid heartbeat, and sweating. Meta-analyses indicate that hypnosis can reduce anxiety by 79% to 84% when compared to control conditions, especially when combined with other psychological interventions [(Valentine et al., 2019)]

2. **Improving Self-Confidence and Social Skills**: Hypnosis can be used to build self-confidence and enhance social skills by addressing negative self-perceptions and promoting positive self-talk. In one case study, a student with severe social communication difficulties and anxiety showed remarkable improvement in confidence, social communication, and school attendance after just four sessions of hypnosis, including self-hypnosis training [(Byron, 2002)]

3. **Long-Term Anxiety Management**: Self-hypnosis training provides a powerful, cost-effective method for ongoing anxiety management. Through self-hypnosis, individuals can practice relaxation techniques and reinforce positive behavioral changes in everyday situations, allowing them to remain calm and confident in social settings. Studies highlight that self-hypnosis can significantly reduce state anxiety and stress-related symptoms [(Hammond, 2010)]

3. **Enhancing Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Resilience**: Hypnosis helps strengthen coping mechanisms and emotional resilience by teaching individuals how to regulate their responses to anxiety-inducing situations. This can be particularly effective in preparing for specific social challenges, such as public speaking or networking events. By reducing anticipatory anxiety and promoting mental rehearsal of successful outcomes, hypnosis empowers individuals to approach social situations with greater confidence and composure [(Crăciun et al., 2012)]

In summary, hypnosis offers a multi-faceted approach to improving social anxiety by directly addressing the psychological roots of anxiety, promoting confidence, and providing long-term self-management tools. As a therapeutic intervention, hypnosis can be a powerful ally in overcoming social anxiety and achieving helpful behavioural change.

References: 

Valentine, K., Milling, L., Clark, L., & Moriarty, C. (2019). The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67, 336 – 363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863.

Byron, D. (2002). The use of hypnosis to help an anxious student with a social communication disorder to attend school. Contemporary Hypnosis, 19, 125-132. https://doi.org/10.1002/CH.249.

Gov, P., & Source, Hammond. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10, 263 – 273. https://doi.org/10.1586/ern.09.140.

Crăciun and Holdevici. (2012). The efficiency of ericksonian hypnosis in diminishing stress and procrastination in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. European Psychiatry, 27:1.