Social Anxiety therapists in Elk Grove, CA
Browse Social Anxiety therapists in Elk Grove, California. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Dr. David Shapiro
Psychologist, California Licensed Psychologist (License# PSY17495)
Social Anxiety, Public Performance & Social Confidence
Reclaiming Freedom from the Threat Response
Social anxiety is rarely a lack of desire for connection or achievement; rather, it is an overactive internal alarm system. When social, professional, or high-stakes evaluation settings are perceived as threatening, the body reacts with intense physiological stress—increased heart rate, hyper-vigilance, tension, or mind-racing.
To manage this discomfort, many people rely on avoidance or subtle safety behaviors. While avoidance offers immediate relief, it inadvertently locks the anxiety in place—preventing your nervous system from learning that you are safe, capable, and in control.
A Multi-Dimensional, Neuro-Informed Strategy
Overcoming social anxiety requires addressing both the physical alarm in the body and the cognitive scripts in the mind. Our work integrates several evidence-based pathways:
Physiological Mastery & Deep Regulation: Before stepping into feared social contexts, we build reliable internal calming tools. Utilizing relaxation training, mindfulness, and Clinical Hypnosis, we train your nervous system to down-regulate panic responses, giving you a sense of physical poise under pressure.
Systematic Desensitization & Gradual Exposure: Guided by behavioral science, we design structured, step-by-step action plans to gradually expand your comfort zone. By pairing deep physiological calm with mental rehearsal and real-world practice, your brain naturally desensitizes to social stress.
Mental Rehearsal via Clinical Hypnosis: We frequently utilize permissive clinical hypnosis as a powerful preparation tool—allowing you to mentally rehearse high-stakes social interactions, speeches, or networking scenarios in a state of relaxed focus before executing them in daily life.
Cognitive Restructuring & Narrative Reframing: Through formal Cognitive Therapy and intuitive dialogue, we identify and update extreme expectations, harsh self-scrutiny, and catastrophe-driven assumptions that fuel social dread.
Radical Client Autonomy & Empowerment
A core guiding principle of my practice is that you are an active architect of your treatment, not a passive participant.
We collaborate to design every step of your progress at a pace that stretches you without flooding your system. By continually emphasizing your choices and personal agency, you stop feeling controlled by anxiety and step into genuine, grounded social confidence.
26 Years Experience
In-Person Near Elk Grove, CA
Online in Elk Grove, CA
Mary Knoblock, DNH
Hypnotherapist, DNH, RTT Practitioner, Hypnotist, Holistic Naturopath Practitioner, Spiritual Counselor
We help reduce your social anxiety and help you find your inner strength and self confidence to be comfortable in social settings again. RTT, Hypnosis, the emotion code, health coaching and spiritual counseling can all help you feel better and move through the social anxiety.
11 Years Experience
Online in Elk Grove, CA (Online Only)
Abigail (Abi) Zarate Ramsay
Pre-Licensed Professional, Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee
I help people with social anxiety who fear judgment or rejection, using gentle exposure, skills-building, and self-compassion to make social situations feel more manageable.
0 Years Experience
Online in Elk Grove, CA (Online Only)
Bridgit Serrano
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, PMH-C
This may show up as fear of judgment, comparison with others, discomfort in social settings, or overanalyzing interactions long after they occur. Many of my clients appear confident professionally but feel insecure or exposed in more personal environments. Using EMDR and depth-oriented therapy, we address the underlying beliefs and nervous system responses driving social anxiety so you can feel more at ease and authentic in relationships.
11 Years Experience
Online in Elk Grove, CA (Online Only)
Aimen Bukhari
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 144748, LPCC 18977
I provide therapy for social anxiety, fear of judgment, and avoidance of social situations. Treatment focuses on reducing physiological anxiety, strengthening confidence, and understanding the deeper beliefs that maintain fear and self-consciousness.
7 Years Experience
Online in Elk Grove, CA (Online Only)
Social Anxiety therapists in Elk Grove, CA Statistics
Social Anxiety therapists in Elk Grove, CA average 16 years of experience and charge around $207 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (69%), Psychodynamic Therapy (36%), and Existential / Humanistic Therapy (35%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$207
Accept insurance
35%
Offer sliding scale
43%
Gender ID
| 63% |
Female |
|
| 32% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 63% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 37% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 69% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 36% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 35% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 35% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 33% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 33% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 29% | Family Systems Therapy |
Ages Served
| 96% | Adult |
| 66% | Young Adult |
| 55% | Senior |
| 48% | Teen |
| 24% | Children |
Client Focus
| 56% | Women |
| 39% | LGBTQ+ |
| 39% | Men |
| 27% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 25% | Christian |