Are you nervous when you are with others?
Are you afraid of being observed and or mocked?
Many people feel this way. Things are complicated with social anxiety. It affects school, work, and play. Therapy helps.
Live Well Mentally offers virtual psychiatric services in Connecticut for kids, teens, and adults. We use proven therapies to help you achieve lasting change.
But how can therapy help you manage social anxiety and boost your social skills? Let’s explore.
What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is an intense fear of being judged by others. It can make your heart race. It can make your hands shake.
You may try to avoid parties, class, or new places. You might not speak when you want to say something. These feelings can make you feel alone.
Signs of social anxiety
You may have social anxiety if you often:
- Feel very nervous before meeting new people.
- Worry you will do something embarrassing.
- Find it hard to speak in groups or class.
- Avoid phone calls or video chats.
- Feel sick to your stomach before a social event.
Therapy can help you understand and manage these feelings if these sound like you.
How Can Therapy Help You Manage Social Anxiety and Boost Your Social Skills?
Therapy gives simple steps to build safety and skill. Live Well Mentally, we offer telehealth sessions so that you can meet with our provider from home in a comfortable space. Our provider will listen without judging you.
Here’s how therapy can help:
Learn to Change Thoughts
Thoughts can make you feel worse. If you think, “They will laugh at me,” then you feel scared.
Therapy helps you find these thoughts. You learn to test them. You learn kinder thoughts that are true. This enables you to feel less fear.
Face Fears with Small Steps
Therapists help you try small things first. This is called exposure work. You might start by saying hi to one person. Then you might try a short talk with a store clerk. Each step is small. Each step grows your courage.
Practice Social Skills
Therapy teaches how to start a talk and how to listen. You learn:
- How to ask simple questions.
- How to keep a talk going.
- How to show you care through words and body language.
You can practice in sessions first. Then you try with others.
Calm Your Body
Anxiety can make your body tense. Therapy shows simple ways to calm down. You might learn:
- Deep breathing to lower stress
- Positive self-talk to replace negative thoughts
- Grounding tricks help you stay in the moment
- Mindfulness to help you feel calm during conversations
These tools make talking easier.
Set Small Goals
At Live Well Mentally, we help you pick small goals that fit your life.
- Maybe your goal is to say one sentence in class.
- Maybe it is to ask a coworker a simple question.
Small goals are easier to reach. Each goal you meet builds your confidence.
Work on Mood and Daily Life
Social anxiety can make sleep and mood worse. Therapy looks at the whole person. Your provider will help with sleep, routine, and stress. Feeling better overall helps you in social situations.
Use Medicine If Needed
Sometimes medicine can help when anxiety is strong.
At Live Well Mentally, our providers can talk with you about safe options. Medicine can reduce fear so that therapy can work better. The team will talk about what fits you.
What a Session is Like
A session is a safe place. You will meet a provider who listens. Sessions are private and held online for your comfort.
The provider will ask about your worries. You will make a simple plan with steps to try.
You will learn tools and practice them in the session. The provider checks how things go and changes the plan to fit you.
Why Choose Live Well Mentally?
Live Well Mentally offers care that fits your life. You can meet from home on a phone or computer. This can feel safer for people with social anxiety.
The team uses proven ways to help you reach your goals. We help you move at your own speed and cheer your wins.
Tips to Try Today
Try these simple steps:
- Take five slow breaths before you speak.
- Say hello to one person each day.
- Plan one small thing to say in a group.
- Notice one thing you did well after a social event.
- Ask, “Is this worry 100 percent true?”
These steps are small but help you practice.
How to Start
Booking a session is easy. You can book a time that fits your day. At Live Well Mentally, you will get a plan that fits you. You will meet for follow-ups to change the plan as you grow. You do not have to face this alone.
Take the First Step
If social moments feel hard, help is here.
Live Well Mentally provides therapy for social anxiety and other mental health issues through telehealth. You can learn skills, build steady confidence, and feel calmer with others. Start with one small step today.
Live Well Mentally supports you every step of the way. We listen, respect you, and help you move forward with care. Contact us, we’ll meet you where you are and help you feel safe with others.
FAQs
What if I feel too shy to start therapy?
That’s okay! Many people feel shy. At Live Well Mentally, it’s easy and safe. You can talk to your therapist online from your home.
Who will I meet at Live Well Mentally?
You will meet Theresa Antwi. She listens and helps you find calm and happiness.
Do I have to take medicine for social anxiety?
Not always. Some people get better by talking in therapy. Some may need medicine too. Theresa Antwi will help you choose what is best for you.