It's not always the lonely who have social anxiety (though that can be a symptom), It can look like avoiding friends and family, using substances to cope, or binge-watching shows because the world (and the people in it) can seem boringly terrifying. Trying to understand why and how to manage your social anxiety may even be anxiety-inducing! Therapy can help reduce the effects of social anxiety and uncover desire. Consider booking a free 30-minute consult to explore more.
Social anxiety can hinder personal and professional growth by causing intense fear of social interactions. In our sessions, we focus on strategies to manage and reduce social anxiety, such as exposure therapy and social skills training. By addressing the root causes of your anxiety, we aim to help you engage more comfortably and confidently in social situations.
Life Coach, Hypnosis and NLP, shamanic healing, Energy Psychology (including "tapping"), Voice Dialogue
I’m dubious about the term “social anxiety.” I don’t doubt for a second how paralyzing or distressing it is to be anxious in social situations, but diagnosing someone with social anxiety sometimes feels like an excuse for a quick fix: “Here’s a prescription!” That’s not my approach (although I get it if that’s where you are now).
Whether you’ve been diagnosed or not doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that you want to be more confident and comfortable around people. Because I can help you with that.
The tools I use – energy psychology, hypnosis and NLP (neurolinguistic programming), nutritional guidance, and voice dialogue (or “parts work”) – all have a part. As can figuring out if “social anxiety” is part of a bigger problem, such as chronic anxiety or perfectionism or a general distrust of people, or a seemingly unrelated bad experience that subconsciously affects you in social situations.
Human beings are social animals. Social connection is so important that a lack of it is a reliable predictor of early death. And technology now gives us so many ways to “connect” that it’s easy to stop connecting in meaningful ways.
If you’re tired of not being able to be yourself (or the person you want to be) in social situations, there’s a good chance I can help. Please get in touch.
True social anxiety is debilitating, overwhelming, and draining. It is also painful for those who want to have meaningful relationships, but as of yet, can't cope with the ongoing effort entailed to make it happen. Therapy will examine your specific trigger thoughts and situations, problematic recurring patterns, and identify reasonable goals for you to improve upon your comfort level and relationships.
I have worked throughout my career to help individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) identify who and/or what contributes to their social anxiety. I help them subsequently identify what is in their control as they anticipate being in those settings in an effort to take the power away from what has historically contributed to their fears associated with their anxiety in those settings.
Fears of what others think of you? Fears of walking in front of people, talking in front of people, or feeling like everyone is staring at you (even if on a logical level you know they are not)? Social anxiety is so real. And it can feel overwhelming. Not to mention, it can hold a person back in life from doing the things that bring you joy, or doing the things you know you need to do. I help women learn how to overcome the anxious thoughts that accompany social anxiety by offering a down to earth, realistic approach. We will examine and define the specific fears that may be happening for you, set realistic goals, and process through where these fears may be coming from--so you feel confident in getting your life back. Learn to tame the ever flowing thoughts and worries, find your inner peace, and gain mastery over combatting social anxiety with a provider who is invested in your wellness and sensitively helping you feel more capable and confident.
Our therapists bring 20+ years of combined personal and professional experience in understanding and approaching the unique symptoms and struggles brought upon by Social Anxiety's negative impact on one's daily life. We will work with you on your own timeline to address those daily struggles.
Social anxiety has a way of existing even in the quiet moments. I work with clients to decrease ruminating thoughts, dwelling, and anxious/avoidance cycles. There are many ways we can approach your social anxiety - which may include changes in how you speak to yourself, how you engage/disengage with others, and how to work on staying connected throughout conversations. Our goal will be directly based on what is useful for you in decreasing your social anxiety.
My approach to working with social anxiety involves integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic Experiencing (SE). ACT helps clients accept their social fears and anxieties without judgment, and commit to actions that reflect their values and goals. EMDR is used to process and resolve past traumatic experiences or negative social encounters that contribute to their anxiety, reducing the emotional intensity of these memories. SE addresses the physiological responses to social anxiety, helping clients release stored tension and regain a sense of calm and balance in social situations. This comprehensive approach supports clients in overcoming social anxiety, building confidence, and improving their overall quality of life.