Social Anxiety
Helping you connect — even if it is for the first time.
Therapy in NYC
You’re Not Just “Shy”
What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is more than being introverted or shy. It’s a persistent fear of being judged, scrutinized, or misunderstood in social settings, and it can show up as avoidance of dating, work events, parties, new friendships, or even everyday conversations. Many people describe it as feeling “not good enough,” constantly worrying they’ll say the wrong thing, or imagining that others are negatively evaluating them—even when there’s no evidence. These patterns can build quietly over the years, making it difficult to connect, speak up, or fully participate in life.
At its core, social anxiety is a fear of disconnection — of not belonging, not being accepted, or being rejected. While it can feel isolating and deeply ingrained, it’s also something that therapy can help you understand, manage, and overcome.
What Social Anxiety Can Feel Like.
People with social anxiety often experience:
Racing thoughts before or during social interactions
Fear of embarrassment, saying something “stupid,” or being watched
Avoiding eye contact, crowds, dating, or group events
Physical symptoms like trembling, blushing, or stomach tension
Feeling stuck in thought loops about what others think
These experiences can make everyday life feel exhausting, isolating, and discouraging—like you’re constantly performing or waiting to be judged.
How Therapy Helps Social Anxiety
We take a compassionate, individualized approach to treating social anxiety. Many clients find that therapy helps them build insight into the roots of their anxiety and gain tools to feel more confident and connected in their relationships.
Relational Psychotherapy
Relational therapy focuses on the therapeutic relationship as a space to explore how you relate to others. As you feel seen, accepted, and understood in therapy, it becomes easier to carry that confidence into the rest of your life. This approach helps rewire the internalized belief that others are unsafe or rejecting.
Psychodynamic and Transference-Based Therapy
These approaches explore how early life experiences, especially those with caregivers or peers, shape your current fears, defenses, and interpersonal patterns. Often, what feels like irrational social fear makes perfect sense when we understand your history. Through gentle exploration and working through transference in the therapy relationship, we help you build self-awareness and shift long-standing emotional patterns.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a skills-based approach that helps you identify and challenge the unhelpful thoughts that fuel anxiety. For example, if you constantly imagine that others are judging you, CBT helps you test and reframe those beliefs, reducing fear over time.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps you regulate intense emotions, tolerate distress, and build interpersonal effectiveness. Many clients with social anxiety struggle with shame, emotional sensitivity, or people-pleasing. DBT offers practical skills for managing those challenges while staying grounded and connected.
Check your insurance.
We usually take many commonly known insurances.
Is your plan not on the list? Fill out the form with your insurance information and we’ll be in touch shortly.
You Might Be Asking Yourself…
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Social anxiety is a common form of anxiety characterized by strong fear of social judgment or scrutiny, causing avoidance of situations like dating, speaking up, or attending group gatherings—even when you want to participate.
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Shyness comes and goes, but social anxiety often creates intense worry that interferes with daily life, goals, relationships, or opportunities. If fear or avoidance holds you back from the life you want, therapy can help.
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Yes. Skilled therapy helps you understand what triggers your anxiety, learn coping skills, and build confidence to engage in social situations without overwhelming fear.
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Coverage depends on your plan. We usually accept many common insurance plans for remote therapy in New York, and we can help you check your benefits before starting.
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Absolutely. Online therapy in New York offers the same evidence-based approaches to support connection, confidence, and reduced avoidance in a convenient, private format.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.