As a psychotherapist I can employ various techniques and approaches to help someone with social anxiety disorder. Here are some common methods:
1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach focuses on identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs related to social situations. By examining and restructuring these thoughts, individuals can develop more realistic and positive thinking patterns.
2. Exposure Therapy: This technique involves gradually exposing individuals to social situations that provoke anxiety. The therapist helps create a supportive and safe environment for the person to face their fears and develop coping strategies. Over time, repeated exposure can help desensitize the person to anxiety-provoking situations.
3. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises, can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and bodily sensations. By practicing mindfulness, individuals can learn to manage their anxiety symptoms and increase their tolerance for discomfort in social situations.
4. Social Skills Training: This involves teaching individuals specific social skills, such as effective communication, assertiveness, and conflict resolution. By practicing these skills in therapy sessions and real-life situations, individuals can improve their confidence and ability to interact with others.
5. Supportive Therapy: Providing a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to express their feelings and fears can be essential. The therapist can offer emotional support, validation, and guidance throughout the therapeutic process.
6. Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed alongside therapy to help manage the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Psychotherapists may work collaboratively with psychiatrists or other medical professionals to determine the need for medication.
It's important to note that the specific approach used may vary depending on the therapist's training, the severity of the individual's symptoms, and their preferences. A psychotherapist will typically tailor the treatment plan to the unique needs and goals of each person with social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety can be debilitating as it often is the very opposite of what one is striving for: connection with others. In my practice, we look at the specifics of what may be bringing someone distress in social situations, what these social situations may be and I help provide tools for being able to rebuild courage and resilience to face these day-to-day stressors.
Are you super uncomfortable in social situations? You may be afraid of being in the spotlight, having other's watch you or judge you. You might find that you struggle with social outings, making eye contact, or feeling comfortable around others. Perhaps avoiding situations works for a short time, but the anxiety doesn't get any better. Social anxiety doesn't have to be something that you just deal with- we can help you learn how to feel more confident and comfortable in situations that scare you. Our approach is gentle and relationship-focused. Together, we may work on uncovering what's underneath anxiety and panic, learning how to approach scary situations, or perhaps learn tools to better manage your fear of judgment or criticism. Let's work together to kick anxiety out of the driver's seat. Please reach out to schedule a therapy session or free 15 minute consultation call.
Dr. Burgess has extensive experience providing therapy for social anxiety. She uses a primarily cognitive behavioural approach for social anxiety and works to identify and integrate additional skills that may be helpful for you such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and acceptance-based strategies.
Social anxiety does not have to interfere with the life you want to live. We want to help you learn what is getting in the way of meaningful and stress-free social interactions - how your thoughts are contributing to the fear and discomfort that you feel in social situations. We also want to help you develop skills so that you can relate to these thoughts a little differently and build confidence in social situations. This includes understanding what is happening in your body when you feel anxious and how you can regulate and establish a feeling of safety.
It IS possible to make new meaningful connections, to not have to analyze each social interaction, and to advocate for yourself at home and work.
Contact us for a complimentary 15-minute consultation - we will connect you with clinicians from our team of trained and passionate registered psychotherapists and social workers so that you can discuss your needs and how we might be able to help.
Our therapists will help you to learn to manage your social anxiety symptoms and understand what could be underlying them so that you can become more at ease in social settings and more importantly more at ease with yourself.
Social anxiety is one of the most common of the anxiety disorders. Therapy can be helpful to help client's build their confidence and their skills so that they can get back to leading a life they desire.
Our clinicians have expertise in helping individuals with symptoms of anxiety, including social anxiety. We use the gold standard cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach and also integrate elements of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as well as mindfulness. We will work with you to overcome your anxiety and discomfort in social situation. This will allow you to engage in things that are meaningful to you and get your life back on track. Call us today to book your free consult!
By finding root cause of your social anxiety, we can change from the deep subconscious roots and clear your negative self talks and beliefs, and help you become more confident, natural and comfortable at social settings.
MindFit offers a personalized Worry-Busters Program based on cognitive behavioural therapy strategies to help increase comfort, confidence and success in social and performance situations. Techniques include cognitive restructuring, behavioural strategies (e.g., relaxation, facing feared situations in a gradual/step-wise manner), education about anxiety, and weekly goal setting. MindFit's goal is to provide you with a toolbox for getting and staying in emotional shape.