Do you always worry about doing something you think is embarrassing, such as blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent? Social anxiety is more than shyness. It's a fear that does not go away and affects everyday activities, self confidence, relationships and work or school life. Many people occasionally worry about social situations, but someone with social anxiety feels overly worried before, during and after them. It's a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years. It can be very distressing and have a big impact on your life.
It's normal to experience anxiety in social situations occasionally. However, if it starts affecting your daily life, it could be a sign of social anxiety or social phobia. This is a common anxiety disorder that can interfere with everyday activities and limit opportunities.
Don't let social anxiety take over your life. Contact us today to book a consultation with one of our mental health specialists who can help you learn strategies to overcome this debilitating disorder.
Social anxiety is an overwhelming fear of social situations that can significantly affect daily life. It can look like intense nervousness, self-consciousness, and avoidance of social interactions. I have experience providing a safe space to explore and challenge these fears, develop coping strategies, and build confidence in social settings.
It can be daunting to face difficult experiences head-on, and I commend you for taking this courageous step. I'm here to support you throughout those difficult and anxiety-provoking experiences. I believe in a collaborative approach, meaning that in therapy, we can better understand your experience - your triggers, feelings, thoughts, and possibly lasting impacts of previous experiences, and discover therapeutic strategies and coping mechanisms that you find truly helpful.
Social awkwardness is a common aspect of social anxiety, where individuals feel uncomfortable or uncertain in various social situations. Symptoms may manifest as difficulty maintaining eye contact, stumbling over words, excessive self-consciousness, or feeling like an outsider. It can lead to avoidance of social gatherings, which further perpetuates anxiety.
Therapy for social awkwardness focuses on building self-awareness, improving communication skills, and desensitizing individuals to social situations. It's about enhancing social confidence and helping individuals feel more at ease in various interactions, ultimately improving their overall quality of life. Even if you arent ready to address this part yet, I am well-versed in working with individuals that struggle with social anxiety.
Social anxiety can be persistent and impact your relationships and daily life; however, therapy can be supportive in addressing it. In your work with me, you will have an opportunity to interact with someone new, identify challenging beliefs, thoughts and emotions, and better understand them, their origin, and how they have impacted you. In addition, in therapy with me, you will be able to create opportunities to nurture the self and explore new ways to safely expose oneself to different social interactions and develop new skills. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit.
Registered Psychotherapist, HBEd, MA (Hons.), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Did you know that shyness is actually NOT a character trait but a stress response of being around others? It has to do with a lack of self-esteem and self-acceptance often tied to a history of ECEs (early childhood experiences).
The experience of social anxiety can be a severe hindrance towards happiness, professional achievements, and having the best relationships. Social anxiety is rooted in early experiences. My approach is for us to first see what the social concerns are and then to explore early interactions which have had an impact on their development. We will then work towards dismantling them from the present down to the roots. Clients have experienced a sense of freedom from their constant worries of being judged and a significant improvement in self-confidence and self-expression.
Due to the pandemic, you may feel your anxiety in social environments to have increased. Or, you may have always dealt with some degree of social anxiety. Together, we will work on the steps needed for you to reduce the symptoms of social anxiety in a warm, compassionate way.