Online Social Anxiety therapists in Upper Alton, Illinois IL
We are proud to feature top rated online Social Anxiety therapists in Upper Alton. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Aaron Kapin
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, SEP, LMT
For some people, their social anxiety is largely a physical response: Their heart pounds, their palms get sweaty, they get so flooded with stress hormones that it's hard for them to think straight.
We can work together to teach the body how to move more efficiently through that stress so it can feel safer sooner...and better yet, start addressing the original trigger so that social situations don't need to cause such a stressful reaction to beging with.
11 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Stephanie Kaufman Wolken
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Stephanie is passionate about providing evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for older adolescents, young adults and adults with OCD, depression, anxiety and related disorders. Stephanie received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, one of the top training institutions in the field of social work. Prior to that, she graduated cum laude from Northwestern University with a double major in Psychology and Science in Human Culture. Stephanie has provided individualized treatment across outpatient and school settings, serving patients of all ages. Additionally, she gained extensive training and experience providing evidence-based treatment across outpatient clinics specializing in OCD, anxiety and related disorders.
8 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Kourtney Bennett
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Social anxiety can make relationships, work, school, and everyday interactions feel exhausting. Together, we'll understand the experiences contributing to your anxiety while developing practical skills to increase confidence, reduce avoidance, and help you engage more fully with others.
9 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL
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 Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Bold Expressions Therapy
Psychologist, Psy.D.
It has become more prevalent for people to experience social anxiety especially due to Covid 19. We are here for you even though we recognize the different between social anxiety and Covid anxiety. Adult friendships are hard, especially making new ones, but we assure you that in the end everything will be ok and we can help you overcome some of these social hinderances.
6 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL
Jason Holland
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Social anxiety can make conversations and everyday interactions feel tense and exhausting. We will look at what you fear will happen and the habits that keep anxiety reinforced, like avoidance or overthinking. I help clients develop skills for managing anxiety in the moment and gradually feel more comfortable in social settings so connection becomes easier and less draining.
25 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL
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 Upper Alton, IL
Michelle Peacock
Psychologist, PhD
Social anxiety, like other anxieties, involves fear of situations that we can not be certain of the outcome. Social anxiety is different in that it is fear of others' perceptions of us and that they will negatively judge and evaluate us. CBT and exposure to these fears is essential to overcoming these beliefs, thoughts, and avoidance/escape behavioral patterns.
21 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL
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 Upper Alton, IL
Alicia Townsend
Psychologist, PhD, BCN
Social anxiety can range from barely noticeable to debilitating. If you feel social anxiety is a problem in your life, I have many ways to address it. By identifying your personal experience of anxiety, we can work together to help reduce it using a combination of techniques that are appropriate for you. This may include mental strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Systematic Desensitization, or physical strategies such as breathing techniques, muscle relaxation, or other relaxation techniques.
21 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Reginald K. Riggins
Psychologist, PhD
I have over ten years of experience assisting client's with social anxiety. I use both a behavioral and cognitive approach to alleviate this concern and cultivate skills to maintain positive change by using exposure therapy.
7 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Resilience Therapy Group
Therapist, LCSW, LMHC, LMSW, MHC-LP, PMH-C
When being around people feels like being watched and judged, life can quietly start to shrink. Our therapists help you ease that fear, challenge the thoughts driving it, and step back into connection at a pace that actually feels possible.
11 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL
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 Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Dr. Jeannine Pablo
Psychologist, LP, LCMHC, MLADC
Social anxiety can turn everyday interactions, meetings, and public speaking into exhausting sources of dread. Utilizing evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and gradual exposure frameworks, I help clients identify and challenge catastrophic thinking patterns and fears of negative evaluation. Our clinical work focuses on disrupting avoidance behaviors, lowering physiological hyperarousal, and building authentic communication confidence so you can engage in professional and social spaces on your own terms.
23 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
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 Upper Alton, IL
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 Upper Alton, IL
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 Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
Dr Calvin Young
Counselor/Therapist, PhD, LCPC
As a part of my treatment of anxiety disorders I address social anxiety as well with analysis and programmed treatment planning that assesses and addresses underlying and/or related psychological issues
30 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL (Online Only)
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 Upper Alton, IL
Michael Losoff
Psychologist, PhD
TL;DR: Michael approaches social anxiety as a protective but limiting "mask," helping clients move from the fear of being judged to a more authentic and relaxed way of connecting with others.
Social anxiety often feels like an internal spotlight, magnifying every perceived flaw and making everyday interactions feel like high-stakes performances. With 35 years of clinical experience, Michael looks beyond the physical symptoms of "shyness" to explore the underlying fears of rejection or inadequacy that often stem from early relational patterns. By utilizing a psychodynamic framework, he helps you unpack the "unconscious scripts" that keep you in a state of hyper-vigilance, allowing you to move past the exhausting effort of social mask-wearing. The goal is to shift from a focus on how others might judge you toward a deeper sense of self-acceptance, enabling genuine, low-pressure connections with the world around you.
35 Years Experience
Online in Upper Alton, IL
Social Anxiety therapists in Upper Alton, Illinois Statistics
Social Anxiety therapists in Upper Alton, 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 |