Online Social Anxiety therapists in Lincolnwood, Illinois IL
We are proud to feature top rated online Social Anxiety therapists in Lincolnwood. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
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 Lincolnwood, IL
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 Lincolnwood, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Natalie A Shafer
Counselor/Therapist, MA, NCC, LPC
For those who struggle with social anxiety, everyday interactions may feel overwhelming and bring fears of judgment, self-consciousness, or a tendency to withdraw. These responses are understandable and often rooted in a need for safety and belonging. Together, we explore the underlying patterns, build confidence, and develop ways of engaging with others that feel more comfortable and authentic.
2 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Dr. Natasha Shukla
Psychologist, PhD., LPC
Dealing with social anxiety can make forming meaningful connections feel like an uphill battle. I'm here to tell you that it's a journey we can take together in therapy. If social anxiety has been holding you back, we'll explore what's been causing those feelings and develop strategies to manage them effectively. Together, we'll work on boosting your confidence, improving your communication skills, and finding ways to navigate social situations with greater ease. My aim is to help you break free from the limitations of social anxiety, so you can form more genuine and fulfilling connections in your personal and professional life. I'm here to support you on your path toward greater social ease and deeper relationships.
15 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Jonathan Schnapp
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel high-stakes—leading to overthinking, self-consciousness, and a tendency to avoid situations that might otherwise be meaningful. In therapy, we take time to understand how these patterns developed and what keeps them going, while gently working toward greater comfort and flexibility in social settings. Together, we’ll explore the thoughts and feelings that arise in the moment, and build your capacity to stay present and engaged—so interactions feel less overwhelming and more like an opportunity for genuine connection.
15 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, 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 Lincolnwood, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Dr. Adam Shafer (Chicago, IL)
Psychologist, Psy. D., M.A.
The ambivalence people can experience in the desire for interpersonal connection while feeling uneasy or anxious in the presence of others can be difficult.
17 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Rick Brodsky
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Social anxiety can block us from the way we would like to live our lives. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy provide many approaches to decreasing social anxiety.
24 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Andrew D. Sapp
Psychologist, PhD
With social anxiety we will work on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions as well as positive self talk, behavioral activation, probability estimation, pros and cons of being social, social skills & social cues, and behavioral activation (taking action). Often times we make something seem scarier in our own mind than it actually is. With anxiety one of the best ways to overcome it is simply to engage in the activity that scares you. I will help you to stop your negative thinking, to learn relaxation techniques and coping skills and then encourage you to face your fears and gain practice in social situations.
20 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Roots to Branches Counseling Services
Counselor/Therapist
Social anxiety can be debilitating for children. At Roots to Branches Counseling Services, we explore the underlying causes and help children learn how to overcome their fears.
3 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Dr. Sam Macy
Psychologist, PsyD
Social anxiety can limit us personally and professionally, making life smaller and less-realized. I use an integrative therapeutic approach to help people feel more confident in social interactions, and more willing to take "good risks" towards a more expanded and empowered life.
16 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Cami K McBride
Psychologist, PhD
Like other forms of anxiety, there is no need to suffer with social anxiety that limits one's interactions.
20 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Sarah Farris
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC, LPC
Social anxiety can feel overwhelming, impacting relationships, confidence, and the ability to participate in areas of life you care about. Symptoms may include self-doubt, reassurance seeking and rumination, feeling embarrassed, and avoiding social situations. I utilized evidence-based therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and mindfulness methods to help clients face their fears and better manage discomfort in social settings.
14 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, 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 Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Matthew Syzdek
Psychologist, PhD, LP, MBA
If you feel on edge, anxious, irritable, or just can't relax, there is a path forward towards a more fulfilling life. Don't gamble when choosing a therapist. You deserve a psychologist who will adapt the best science to your specific needs and goals. Many therapists themselves are burned out and can't give the best care to their clients. Dr Syzdek built a small boutique practice where he limits the number of clients he treats, so he can give his clients the time, thought, and dedication that they deserve. Dr Syzdek combines compassion with the science of behavior change to help you make the the difficult decisions in life and take action, so you can live a happier life, thrive at work, love your relationships, and have fun again. Dr Syzdek treats anxiety and related conditions typically using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and exposure therapies. These approaches combine mindfulness, acceptance, and cognitive strategies to help you live your life again and find relief from the the struggle.
14 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety
Mary Mesiha
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LICSW
College can be an exciting time—but it can also bring intense pressure to fit in, make friends, and find your place. If social situations leave you feeling anxious, self-conscious, or worried about being judged, you’re not alone. Many students quietly struggle with these same feelings. In therapy, we’ll work together to understand your anxiety, build coping skills, and increase your confidence so you can feel more at ease connecting with others and fully engaging in college life.
27 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, 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 Lincolnwood, IL (Online Only)
Social Anxiety
Dr. Elizabeth Coldren
Psychologist, PSYD, PSYPACT
I work with thoughtful, high‑achieving adults, often sensitive or highly self‑aware, who struggle with social anxiety. You may care deeply about connection but find that being around others brings up a lot of worry, overthinking, or dread. On the outside, you may seem capable and composed; inside, it can feel like a constant evaluation of how you are coming across. Social anxiety can feel like living in your head while your body is in the room. I work extensively with social anxiety in high‑responsibility adults and know how consuming it can feel, even when no one else sees it.
It can look like replaying conversations and worrying you said the wrong thing; avoiding gatherings, calls, or new situations because they feel too intense; fear of being judged, embarrassed, or seen as awkward or boring; difficulty speaking up in groups, at work, or in class; feeling like you do not quite know the rules that other people seem to follow; or wanting close relationships but pulling back when things get more vulnerable. Over time, this can lead to isolation, loneliness, or feeling stuck in patterns you do not want.
In our work together, we get curious about where this started and how it shows up now. We make room for the part of you that is trying to keep you safe by staying small or hidden. From there, we explore small, doable steps toward more ease and authenticity with the people and situations that matter most to you, so you do not have to choose between protecting yourself and having the connections you want.
26 Years Experience
Online in Lincolnwood, IL
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 Lincolnwood, 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 Lincolnwood, IL
Social Anxiety therapists in Lincolnwood, Illinois Statistics
Social Anxiety therapists in Lincolnwood, 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 |
| 79% | Stress |
| 72% | Self Esteem |
| 61% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 61% | Loss or Grief |