therapy for social anxiety in new york.

feeling stuck in social anxiety? here’s how therapy can help you take control of your life.

    book now.

feeling stuck?

Do you struggle with worrying about what others think, feeling anxious in conversations, and fearing social awkwardness?

Knowing the anxiety is “irrational,” but still overthinking its solution?

Here’s the good news—connection doesn’t have to be so complicated. Practical and goal-driven therapy can be the first step in taking control of the anxiety that keeps you stuck.

How does therapy help with social anxiety?

Social anxiety is usually complex, and there’s no one way of addressing it. I take from many evidence-based modalities—CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and others—to help you manage anxious thoughts, emotions, and habits in simple, actionable ways.

Here are some common challenges clients report at the beginning of their treatment. you may experience these as well.

Intense fear of scrutiny. Your thoughts often fixate on others’ judgments of you, whether real or imagined.

Excessive worry. You know your fears are “irrational,” but they persist and are difficult to act against.

Avoidance of social situations. You turn down opportunities because the anxiety feels too overwhelming.

Impaired or limited relationships. Your anxiety interferes with getting close to others and forming new relationships.

Physical discomfort. Your anxiety becomes physical when socializing—racing heart, sweating, stuttering, shaking.

Excessive self-judgment. You criticize yourself harshly over mistakes and imperfections, whether big or small.

Poor self-image. Your thoughts often fixate on perceived flaws but overlook your commendable qualities.

How to get started.

Book a free phone call.

We’ll chat for 15 minutes about what your goals for therapy and if this approach is what you’re looking for.

Show up.

After our phone call, you can make an informed decision to schedule an appointment or look elsewhere.

set your appointment.

We’ll schedule your first intake session, where the change process begins.

What does social anxiety therapy look like?

You may not realize it, but you have a relationship with your thoughts and feelings. Most people don’t notice how automatically they react to their thoughts and feelings, especially if anxiety is so habitual.

Social anxiety therapy helps you change that relationship. Each session is a practice in noticing your thoughts and feelings, and reacting to them for what they are—unhelpful brain signals, not commands.

Here are practical and actionable ideas that will help you manage social anxiety throughout your therapy.

Grounding skills. simple, tangible coping skills to help you remain calm and directed.

self-observation. your ability to identify unhelpful thoughts and feelings before and as they occur. self-awareness always comes before self-control.

Mindfulness. Your ability to pay attention to the present—crucial for noticing positive social feedback.

Cognitive defusion. your ability to “separate” yourself from your thoughts and then choose how react to them. unhelpful thoughts are just signals from the brain—not commands we automatically follow.

mentalization. your ability to accurately understand your own mind as well as others’.

Neuroplasticity. Your brain’s amazing ability to physically rewire itself and adapt upon challenges and new experiences. social anxiety is just a pattern our brain learns after anxious habits. therapy helps the brain rewire itself into healthier habits.

How is this approach to therapy different from others?

The challenge with social anxiety is how paralyzing it can be. Breaking through Overthinking, procrastination, and social discomfort usually requires more than just talking it out.

This approach is much more is practical and actionable than a typical therapy. Clients leave sessions with a fresh understanding of their own thoughts and feelings. They new, specific ways to practice identifying and reacting to thoughts as they occur. If they wish, clients may also learn about the brain—a real, physical organ that often goes unaddressed in therapy—and how it influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Still, this approach maintains what usually makes therapy helpful. Your safety, readiness, and collaboration are be deeply valued along the way.

faq.

  • I am only licensed to work with current residents of New York State.

  • Not at this time.

  • Not at all. Some people I work with experience neither.

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