SONET Project
Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety in Adolescents: towards a Precision Treatment Based on Idiographic Network Analysis – SONET
About Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is the third most common mental health disorder, after depression and substance abuse, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 12% (Kessler et al., 2005). It is particularly common among young people – studies from the USA and New Zealand have reported prevalence rates of around 10% by the end of adolescence (Burstein et al., 2011; Merikangas et al., 2010).
In the absence of appropriate treatment, the disorder tends to persist long-term, leading to significant negative consequences and affecting all areas of life. Adolescents suffering from this disorder perform worse academically, are more likely to drop out of school early, and obtain lower educational qualifications. Social relationships are also impacted; these adolescents have fewer friends, lower-quality relationships, and are more vulnerable to bullying (La Greca & Harrison, 2005; Acquah et al., 2016).
The SONET project proposes the development of a personalized intervention, based on network analysis, to be delivered online. This innovative approach aims to overcome current barriers to accessing scientifically validated treatments by tailoring the intervention to the specific needs of each adolescent.
The main goal of the project is to facilitate access for adolescents diagnosed with social anxiety disorder to modern, effective, and accessible treatments, thus contributing to the long-term improvement of their mental health.
About the SONET Project
Title: Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety in Adolescents: towards a Precision Treatment Based on Idiographic Network Analysis (Acronym: SONET)
Contracting Authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation
Project Type: Exploratory Research Projects
Project Code: PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-1950, Contract Number 49PCE/ 03.01.2025
Host Institution: Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, through the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy/ The International Institute for Advanced Studies in Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health
Project Duration: 03.01.2025 – 31.12.2027
Project Director: Prof. Anca Dobrean
Project objectives
The objectives of this project are as follows:
- To develop the first personalized online cognitive-behavioral intervention informed by network analysis, designed for adolescents diagnosed with social anxiety disorder.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, the psychological mechanisms involved in change, and the costs associated with this form of personalized digital treatment.
Team members
Anca Dobrean is Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and a researcher in the field of evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Babeș-Bolyai University in 2005. Dr. Dobrean is a Fellow of the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), Past President (2012-2024) of the Romanian Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies (APCCR), and a certified clinical psychologist and psychotherapist trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Dr. Dobrean has coordinated numerous national and international research projects focusing on child and adolescent mental health, digital mental health interventions, school-based prevention programs, and clinical assessment. She is a recipient of multiple research grants investigating innovative interventions for ADHD and child/ adolescent anxiety and depression
As a researcher, Dr. Dobrean has coordinated studies on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating internalizing and externalizing disorders in children and adolescents, as well as research on the contribution of parental factors to various mental disorders in children. Her work bridges science and practice, promoting evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to real-life contexts.
Costina-Ruxandra Poetar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy within the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. Since May 2021, she has been responsible for the laboratory “Digital Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies for Children, Adolescents and Parents.” She obtained her PhD in Psychology in 2016 within the Doctoral School “Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions”, with the thesis entitled “Transdiagnostic Interventions Facilitated Through Technology.”
Her research interests focus on evidence-based psychological interventions for children, adolescents, and adults; family and couple psychology; and technology-delivered interventions (including Internet-based, computerized, mobile applications, and Virtual Reality). She is currently leading the project “Optimizing Digital Parenting Interventions for ADHD: A Network Analysis Approach” (Acronym: ADHDnet).
Robert Balazsi is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. He has over 20 years of experience in teaching research methods and data analysis/modeling.
His research interests focus on the use of SEM modeling (covariance-based) for analyzing data collected in cross-sectional and longitudinal research projects.
Denisa Moldovan is a doctoral student at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca.
Her research interests focus on investigating the role of parental factors in adolescent psychopathology and on identifying interventions that can improve mental health outcomes for individuals and families.
Miruna Crișan is a doctoral student at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca.
She is also a clinical psychologist and accredited psychotherapist, with experience in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and counseling for various mental health disorders.
Her research interests focus on exploring ways to reduce anxiety in group settings for children and adolescents.
Diana Grama holds a PhD in Psychology.
Her research interests focus on bullying victimization in children and adolescents, with an emphasis on the role of parental factors and individual mechanisms such as emotion regulation, self-evaluation, and cognitive vulnerabilities.
Gabriela Gujan is a master’s student in the Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling, and Psychotherapy program.
Her research interests include social anxiety and psychological network analysis, with a focus on understanding the transdiagnostic mechanisms involved in anxiety disorders.
Iulia Vlad is a doctoral student at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and completed the Master’s program in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling, and Psychotherapy, both at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca.
Her research interests focus on cognitive-affective mechanisms involved in social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.
Results
Scientific Reporting:
Publications:
Florean, I. S., Dobrean, A., & Balazsi, R. (2025). From parenting self-efficacy to child externalizing problems: The role of perceived parent stress and practices. Family Relations, 74(4), 2185–2200. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.70000
Grama, D. I., Florean, I. S., Isvoranu, A.-M., & Dobrean, A. (2025). Parental rejection, self-evaluations, and bullying victimization among middle school-aged children: A longitudinal network analysis. Psychology of Violence. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000663
Manuscripts in progress:
Moldovan, D., Florean, S., & Dobrean, A. (2025). The Role of Parental Control, Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Fear of Negative Child Evaluation in Adolescent Social Anxiety – A Serial Mediation Approach. 55th Annual EABCT Congress CBT, Glasgow, England, 3–6 September 2025
Crisan, M., Georgescu, R., Grama, D., & Dobrean, A. (2025). Group Interventions for Social Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Their Efficacy, Moderators, and Mechanisms of Change. 55th Annual EABCT Congress CBT, Glasgow, England, 3–6 September 2025
Community Dissemination:
- https://reportermedical.ro/2025/11/24/prof-anca-dobrean-de-la-ubb-ne-invata-cum-sa-recunoastem-anxietatea-la-copii/
News
Miruna Bianca Crișan, PhD candidate, attended the 2025 EABCT Congress to present her meta-analysis, “Group Interventions for Social Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Their Efficacy, Moderators, and Mechanisms of Change.”
Prof. Dr. Anca Dobrean was invited to take part in the Reporter Medical show, where she presented a series of important insights about anxiety disorders seen in children and adolescents.
Contact
Anca Dobrean
Project director
SONET
- Str. Republicii, Nr. 37, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, cod poștal: 400015.