You’re Not Overreacting — Social Anxiety Just Makes Life Feel Harder

You overthink everything you just said. You replay that weird joke you made in a meeting three days ago. Your heart races when someone calls instead of texts. You avoid things you want to do—because the anxiety of showing up feels worse than the FOMO of skipping it.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not dramatic. You’re not antisocial. You might just have social anxiety—and it’s more common than you think. And social anxiety counseling might just be the answer.

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Is It Shyness, Introversion, or Social Anxiety?

This is where it gets tricky. Not everyone who feels nervous in social situations has social anxiety.

Shyness: A personality trait. You warm up slowly but don’t avoid people altogether.
Introversion: You may enjoy people—but need alone time to recharge. As someone once said: Introverts aren’t party poopers; they’re just pooped by the party.
Social Anxiety: Fear of judgment or embarrassment that can stop you from doing things you want or need to do.

If you’re skipping out on things you care about—or stuck in mental spirals after social events—it may be time for support. Here’s a helpful breakdown of the differences.

What Social Anxiety Feels Like (That People Don’t Talk About)

Feeling like you’re being judged even when you’re not
Worrying you sounded foolish—or were too quiet or too loud
Feeling drained after small talk, even if you like the person
Dodging phone calls or invitations because they just feel like too much
Getting stuck in “spectatoring” — watching and judging yourself in real-time instead of being in the moment

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You Don’t Have to Force Yourself to “Just Get Over It”

Here’s the thing: you can build confidence, get out of your head, and feel more comfortable around people—without faking it, without pushing through panic, and without giving up who you are.

Social anxiety counseling helps you:

Understand the root of your fear (it’s not just about being shy)
Learn small ways to lower anxiety before and during social situations
Stop the spiral of self-judgment and mental rehearsal
Build real connection at your own pace

You can stop monitoring yourself and start showing up as yourself.

Why This Matters

Left untreated, social anxiety can lead to loneliness, depression, and a life that’s smaller than it needs to be. And you don’t deserve that.

Roughly 12% of U.S. adults will experience social anxiety at some point. (NIMH) And yet most people wait years to get help—if they get it at all.

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What Therapy for Social Anxiety Looks Like

We’re not throwing you into public speaking situations or asking you to start calling strangers. (Promise.)

Instead, we use evidence-based approaches like:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: to help you stay present instead of going into performance mode
Rehearsal work: gently and at your own pace, we practice in our sessions, so social moments feel more manageable
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): is another way we offer counseling for social anxiety — to challenge unhelpful thought spirals like “Everyone thinks I’m awkward”

Small Shifts That Make Social Life Easier

Social anxiety therapy also gives you practical tools to make connection less exhausting:

Using the “tree metaphor” for small talk — start at the roots (hometown), then move to the trunk (work), branches (family), and leaves (hobbies)
Setting a time limit before social events so you don’t overextend your social battery
Learning to pause and breathe when you start spiraling
Giving yourself permission to leave early—or stay longer—on your terms

You’re Not Alone, Even When It Feels That Way

Ready to take that first step toward reclaiming your joy and building stronger connections?

Whether you’re dealing with social anxiety from past bullying, childhood shyness, trauma, or simply because your brain is wired a bit differently—there’s help. And it can get easier.

We offer social anxiety therapy in Orange and Newport Beach, or online throughout California.

Let’s get started. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through social life anymore.

Call (949) 393-8662 Schedule an Appointment