Social Anxiety therapists in Santa Monica, California CA
We are proud to feature top rated Social Anxiety therapists in Santa Monica. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
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Christian Holmes
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Anxiety has a way of shutting everything down. We were made for connection and when we can't engage in a conversation, a relationship, or a social gathering the way we want to we often begin to isolate completely to avoid the tough feelings that arise when we feel we can't connect. In our work together I will help you overcome your anxious thoughts, feelings, and negative beliefs. Together we will explore where the anxiety comes from, why the anxiety exists and how to transcend the anxious feelings.
8 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Ross Kellogg, LMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Individual, Marriage, and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Social anxiety can often feel like an unwelcome burden and that it keeps life more limited than you would like. I will support you in reliving these symptoms through the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to first build tools to better manage symptoms in the present and will follow that with psychodynamic work to support greater insight and lasting change.
12 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
Bruce Howard
Psychologist, PhD
Please see website
43 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Faith Szalay
Psychologist, Psy.D, M.A.
Interfacing with other people can sometimes feel daunting. As we get to explore and understand where these fears are emanating from, huge changes can be made in people's lives. I help people to confront the dynamics that created the anxiety around other people.
26 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Daniel Slavin
Marriage and Family Therapist
I help clients work with social anxiety by understanding fears of judgment, rejection, or exposure. Therapy focuses on increasing confidence, emotional safety, and the ability to feel more comfortable and authentic in social situations.
41 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Stephanie Morfitt, LCSW More Fit Mental Health
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
When You Worry What Others Think
If you find yourself replaying conversations, worrying you said the “wrong” thing, or avoiding situations where you might be judged, you may be struggling with social anxiety. You might appear confident and put-together on the outside but inside feel tense, self-conscious, or on high alert. Even small interactions — meetings, text replies, or social plans — can feel like high-stakes performances. Social anxiety is not just shyness. It’s your brain trying to protect you from rejection or embarrassment — often by over-analyzing and keeping you stuck.
In therapy, we’ll use a structured, evidence-based approach called TEAM-CBT to help you feel calm and authentic around others. You’ll learn how to:
Identify and challenge the beliefs that drive fear of judgment
Rewire the inner dialogue that fuels self-criticism and avoidance
Build emotional tolerance for uncertainty and vulnerability
Practice real-world experiments that retrain your brain’s social safety system
Experience connection and confidence without overthinking every move
Our work blends compassion and science — using daily tools, feedback, and measurable progress to create lasting change. Most clients notice significant relief from social anxiety within 8 to 12 weeks.
I BELIEVE:
You deserve to feel safe being yourself — not performing for others.
Confidence isn’t the absence of anxiety; it’s learning to show up anyway.
Connection grows when we stop chasing perfection and start allowing authenticity.
Fear loses power when it’s met with curiosity instead of avoidance.
Laughter, empathy, and courage are the antidotes to shame.
Also Integrated In Our Work:
• Interpersonal Work – to strengthen connection and empower you to be yourself using The 5 Secrets of Effective Communication
• Mindful Self-Compassion – to cultivate a gentler, kinder inner voice through the work of Dr. Kristin Neff
• Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) – to regulate the nervous system and support trauma recovery alongside cognitive tools for a well-rounded approach
10 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Anna Schick
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Social Anxiety can be a difficult obstacle for people when trying to be social and wanting to connect and create friendships and relationships. Together we will work on thoughts that prevent connection and being seen due to fear of judgments and find out the underlying issues experiences that have contributed to these feelings.
16 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
Marina Edelman | TrueMe Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
We help clients reduce fear of judgment and feel more confident in social and professional settings. Treatment includes practical exposure tools and nervous system regulation.
20 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Elaine Skoulas
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., LMFT
Social anxiety often stems from deeper fears of judgment, rejection, or not being “enough.” These fears can lead to avoidance, overthinking, and intense self-monitoring in social situations. In therapy we work with both the psychological and nervous system patterns behind social anxiety, helping your body feel safer in connection so you can move through relationships with greater confidence and ease.
8 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Integrative Psychotherapy Group
Marriage and Family Therapist
We work with clients who express issues or concerns with Social Anxiety.
10 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Santa Monica combines proximity to the entertainment industry with a strong wellness culture, creating demand for therapists who specialize in performance anxiety, the pressures of creative and entertainment careers, identity, and the particular stresses of living adjacent to fame and public scrutiny. The area's affluent demographic and beach lifestyle coexist with significant rates of anxiety, eating concerns, and relationship distress, and the Westside has a notably high density of experienced therapists relative to its size. Providence Saint John's Health Center and UCLA Health provide institutional mental health anchors for the Westside community. Many Santa Monica therapists also serve clients from Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and the broader Westside corridor.
Social Anxiety therapists in Santa Monica, California Statistics
Social Anxiety therapists in Santa Monica, California average 15 years of experience and charge around $202 per session. 99% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (69%), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) (39%), and Existential / Humanistic Therapy (37%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$202
Accept insurance
34%
Offer sliding scale
45%
Gender ID
| 63% |
Female |
|
| 31% |
Male |
|
| 4% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 63% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 36% |
Online Only |
|
| 1% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 69% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 39% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 37% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 36% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 36% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 36% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 35% | Family Systems Therapy |
Ages Served
| 99% | Adult |
| 69% | Young Adult |
| 56% | Senior |
| 52% | Teen |
| 25% | Children |
Client Focus
| 55% | Women |
| 43% | LGBTQ+ |
| 42% | Men |
| 28% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 25% | Christian |