Online Social Anxiety therapists in Highland Park, Illinois IL
We are proud to feature top rated online Social Anxiety therapists in Highland Park. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Social Anxiety
Margo Tirado MA LCPC
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC
Social anxiety often shows up as a constant self-monitoring—replaying conversations, worrying about how you came across, or feeling tense before, during, and after social interactions. Many people assume this means they’re awkward or broken, when in reality it’s usually a nervous system that’s working overtime to stay safe. In therapy, we approach social anxiety with curiosity and compassion, helping you understand what your anxiety is trying to protect you from rather than forcing you to “just be more confident.”
My work with social anxiety focuses on easing the internal pressure rather than pushing you into uncomfortable situations before you’re ready. Together, we work on calming the body, softening self-judgment, and building trust in your ability to handle connection as it unfolds. Over time, social interactions begin to feel less like a performance and more like a shared experience—allowing you to show up as yourself with greater ease, presence, and self-acceptance
31 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Jaylan Abd Elrahman
Psychologist, PhD
What an honor it is to be a supportive companion on your path to deeper wellness! I see therapy as a process wherein people can grow a more honest connection with themselves, learn and practice hope-generating perspectives and skills in their lives and stretch their imaginations for how to lovingly create a future that feels meaningful and liberating!
Dr. Jay works with adolescents and adults who:
* Struggle to manage the stresses of daily life and experience emotional distress, depression, grief and/or anxiety
* Are survivors of complex trauma, interpersonal, generational and/or collective trauma
* Yearn to clarify purpose in life, often exploring existential, spiritual, and identity-based questions
* Seek a space to dream beyond the moment they are in to create new futures for themselves and those they love
* Values justice-oriented, compassionate, and creative relational care
6 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Merrisa Dawn Santos
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC, CCTMHP, CCTP
In assisting individuals with social anxiety issues, I provide a supportive and understanding environment to explore their concerns. Through therapy, we work on understanding the underlying factors contributing to their anxiety, such as negative beliefs or past experiences. I offer strategies to manage anxiety symptoms, including relaxation techniques, cognitive restructuring, and exposure therapy. Together, we practice social skills and gradually confront feared social situations, building confidence and reducing avoidance behaviors. The goal is to empower individuals to navigate social interactions with greater ease and enjoyment, ultimately improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
5 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Paulina Birgiolaite
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, LCSW, CMNCS
Social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel stressful, uncomfortable, or even avoidable. I work with clients to understand the patterns of fear and self-consciousness that drive social anxiety and how avoidance reinforces it. Using evidence-based strategies, we focus on building confidence, reducing fear of judgment, and increasing comfort in social situations.
8 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Anne Zakaras
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC, ATR-BC, PMH-C
When social anxiety takes hold, everyday interactions can feel like a performance where you are constantly being critiqued. Anne provides a warm, deeply validating, and low-stakes environment to help you safely unpack the fear of judgment, rejection, and overthinking. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) clinician, she specializes in helping individuals quiet the exhausting inner commentary that tells them they don't fit in, allowing them to rebuild real confidence in their relationships and public spaces.
Anne’s integrative approach is uniquely designed to calm the hyper-vigilance of social anxiety. By pairing evidence-based clinical practices with creative art therapy, she offers a non-verbal outlet to process underlying insecurities when traditional "talk therapy" feels too exposed or intimidating. Together, you will practice regulating your nervous system in real-time, silencing the post-event rumination loop, and setting comfortable boundaries. Whether your social anxiety is a lifelong battle, tied to professional burnout, or amplified by major life milestones like chronic illness or the isolating transitions of parenthood, Anne is dedicated to helping you step back into connection with others on your own terms.
8 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Bloom Behavioral Health Ptrs
Treatment Center, Psy'D, LPC, LMSW, CAADC, CCS
Social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel overwhelming, leading to fear of judgment, avoidance, and difficulty building meaningful connections. With therapy you can start to understand the underlying causes of social anxiety, develop confidence in social situations, challenge anxious thought patterns, and build skills to engage more comfortably in work, school, and personal relationships.
14 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Dr. Jenny Shields
Psychologist
You overthink everything you say. You replay conversations long after they’re over, second-guessing how you came across. Maybe you dread group settings, avoid situations where you might be put on the spot, or mask your discomfort so well that no one would ever know how anxious you feel inside. Social anxiety doesn’t always look like panic—it can look like perfectionism, avoidance, or exhaustion from constantly managing how you’re perceived.
Dr. Jenny Shields helps people who are quietly carrying social anxiety beneath the surface—especially those who seem calm and capable on the outside but feel anything but on the inside. Using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and compassion-based work, she helps you gently face the fears that are running the show, learn new ways to respond, and build confidence from the inside out. Her approach is warm, respectful, and deeply attuned to the sensitivity that often comes with social anxiety. Together, you’ll work to ease the self-doubt, drop the need to perform, and reclaim your voice—not by becoming someone else, but by learning to show up as yourself.
12 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Heather Watson-Perez
Psychologist, PhD
I help clients overcome social anxiety, including fear of judgment, avoidance of social situations, and difficulty speaking up. Using structured, evidence-based techniques, I gradually build confidence and comfort in social interactions. Clients learn practical skills to engage more fully and authentically in their personal and professional lives.
21 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
South Psychology
Psychologist, PhD
Is social anxiety holding you back from living your best life? At South Psychology, we’re committed to helping you break free from the grip of social anxiety. Our compassionate team of therapists specializes in providing evidence-based therapy and assessments to empower you on your journey toward self-assurance and meaningful connections.
Why Choose South Psychology for Social Anxiety?
Expert Guidance: Our licensed therapists have extensive experience in treating social anxiety. We understand the unique challenges you face and offer personalized strategies to overcome them.
Safe and Supportive Environment: We create a nonjudgmental space where you can express your fears and concerns openly. You’re not alone—we’re here to listen and guide you.
Evidence-Based Approaches: Our therapy sessions incorporate evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. These proven methods help you gradually confront and manage social situations.
Individualized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your specific needs, whether you’re a teen, adult, or senior.
Our Social Anxiety Services Include:
Assessment and Diagnosis: Thorough evaluation to understand the severity of your social anxiety.
Skills Building: Learn practical skills to reduce anxiety, boost self-confidence, and improve social interactions.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually face social situations in a supportive environment.
Group Therapy: Connect with others who share similar experiences and learn from one another.
Telehealth Options: Convenient virtual sessions for those who prefer remote therapy.
8 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Integrative Health & Healing
Treatment Center, Functional Wellness, Family Medicine, Mental Health and Addiction Medicine
We have an integrative approach to physical and mental wellness including addiction disorders. We offer Cervical cancer screening and breast exams.
12 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Stephanie Larsen @ Healthy Minds Psychology Group
Psychologist, PsyD
Hi! Congratulations on taking the first step in your journey of caring more deeply for yourself! I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults working to overcome their significant anxiety and free their life from constant worry. Social anxiety is characterized by a fear of social perception or judgment and can be overwhelming and depressing as it can hold you back from what you truly want to achieve or what you have to offer the world. I work with individuals to find their confidence and voice again. It can be scary, but sometimes the scariest things are the most rewarding! Ultimately, I strongly believe in building a close therapeutic relationship where you can feel safe to explore and move past your anxious thought patterns, learn to support yourself, become more confident in your identity and purpose, and my goal is to help you achieve the goals you've set out to meet! Feel free to reach out and see if we can be a good fit to help move you closer to your goals and relief!
14 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Beck Gardner
Pre-Licensed Professional, M.A.
Social anxiety is another difficulty that people face which can often be helped by better understanding the nuances of your fears and the ways it may have once protected you. I hope to help you understand your social anxiety and feel supported as you try out new ways of being with people that might feel too scary to try alone.
3 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Alicia Stalker-Gallichio LMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, SAP
At Alicia Stalker LMFT we provide Social Anxiety Therapy, understanding that social anxiety can feel isolating and overwhelming, making everyday interactions daunting and stressful. If you find yourself fearing judgment, avoiding social situations, or feeling self-conscious in group settings, you are not alone. Our therapy services are designed to provide a supportive and compassionate environment where you can expire your fears and develop the tools to manage social anxiety.
21 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Josh Dolin: Life Coach | Purpose Pathfinder
Life Coach
Struggling with social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can build confidence and manage those fears. My coaching approach focuses on helping you understand the root causes of your anxiety, while developing practical tools to overcome social discomfort. Together, we’ll work on building your confidence, improving communication skills, and creating a personalized plan to help you navigate social situations with greater ease. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to begin your journey toward a more confident, socially connected life.
9 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Dr. Pam Heilman
Psychologist, Psy.D., LCP
Are you someone who avoids certain social situations or endures them with significant difficulty? You may fear rejection, criticism or judgment and avoid certain social situations to try to keep these feelings at bay. Unfortunately, this avoidance makes social anxiety worse over time. You may notice that you continue to lose self-confidence and a sense of worth the more that you avoid others. As a specialist in treating social anxiety, I understand how challenging it can be to face these fears. I have worked with many client so to help them build insight into what contributes to their social anxiety. Once we have a deeper understanding of how social anxiety impacts you and in what situations it arises, I can help teach you strategies to begin to gradually face feared situations and increase your self-confidence over time.
10 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Tim Jenkins
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC
It can take years for social anxiety to harshly limit a life. Or, it can take a traumatic moment and that life is forever changed. One of the best clients I can help is a client with social anxiety. It is very gratifying to see that same person whom could hardly sit in front of me develop into a person that can walk into a social event, by themselves and introduce themselves to others. I use a technique called "Exposure, response prevention.
26 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Lora Proia/ Centered Village LLC Counseling & Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor, NCC, LCPC, LPC
As a therapist specializing in social anxiety, I help clients navigate the fear of judgment, rejection, or embarrassment that can make everyday interactions feel overwhelming. Social anxiety often hides behind avoidance, perfectionism, or self-criticism—and my role is to gently uncover those patterns and replace them with confidence, self-compassion, and practical coping tools.
Using a blend of cognitive-behavioral techniques, exposure work, and emotional regulation strategies, I support clients in building comfort with social situations at their own pace. Whether it's speaking up in meetings, attending social events, or simply making eye contact, I offer a safe space to practice, reflect, and grow. My goal is to help individuals reconnect with others—not through forced performance, but through authentic presence.
16 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Brittany Statler, Intuitive Wellness Therapy Group
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Headline: Beyond the "Polite Mask": Finding Genuine Connection in a World of Over-Control
The Loneliness of Always Being "On"
Do you find yourself meticulously managing how you come across to others or changing yourself to adapt to everyone in the room? For many high-achievers, social anxiety doesn’t look like shaking hands; it looks like a "polite mask," a rigid adherence to social rules, and an exhausting internal monologue that critiques every word you say. You may be highly successful and well-liked, yet you feel deeply disconnected and "on the outside" of your own life.
My Approach: Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)
I specialize in a unique, evidence-based approach called Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT). Unlike traditional therapies that teach you more self-control, RO-DBT is designed for those who already have too much of it. We focus on the "biological" side of social signaling to help you feel safe enough to be seen.
Together, we will target the roots of social isolation by:
Fostering Radical Openness: Learning to drop the shield of perfectionism and lean into the "messy" beauty of unfiltered human feedback.
Building Flexibility: Breaking the rigid "shoulds" that dictate how you interact, allowing you to be spontaneous and authentic in real-time.
Enhancing Social Signaling: Learning how to use your body and voice to signal safety and warmth, which naturally invites deeper, more rewarding connections.
20 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Bergen Counseling Collective
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC
It's not shyness. It's the dread before social situations, the replaying of conversations afterward, the constant worry that you said something wrong or that people are judging you. You cancel plans because the relief of staying home outweighs the effort of showing up. Or you push through and spend the whole time managing the anxiety instead of actually being present. Social anxiety shrinks your world slowly, and the avoidance that feels like it's helping actually makes it worse over time. We can help you break that cycle with approaches that work, not just "put yourself out there" advice that ignores how hard that actually is. Telehealth throughout Illinois. BCBS PPO and Aetna accepted.
20 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety
Paul Sather
Psychologist, PhD
Facing the challenges of social interaction is all the more difficult in our digital age. I help you be more at ease with your whole self, turn down the volume of the the relentless voice of your internal critic and practice gentleness and grace toward your struggles interacting with other people.
38 Years Experience
Online in Highland Park, IL
Social Anxiety therapists in Highland Park, Illinois Statistics
Social Anxiety therapists in Highland Park, Illinois average 16 years of experience and charge around $202 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The most commonly treated issues are Social Anxiety (100%), Anxiety or Fears (96%), and Depression (84%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$202
Gender ID
| 60% |
Female |
|
| 36% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 1% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 57% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 43% |
Online Only |
|
Top Specialties
| 100% | Social Anxiety |
| 96% | Anxiety or Fears |
| 84% | Depression |
| 80% | Stress |
| 73% | Self Esteem |
| 62% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 61% | Loss or Grief |