Social Anxiety Therapy

Social Anxiety: When Being Around Others Feels Overwhelming

If you feel anxious in social situations, worry about being judged, or avoid interactions because they feel too uncomfortable, you’re not alone.

Social Anxiety goes beyond shyness—it involves an intense fear of being observed, evaluated, or embarrassed in social or performance situations.

At Dear Therapy, we help individuals reduce social anxiety and build confidence using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure-based treatment.

We offer therapy in Atlanta and virtually, making support accessible wherever you are.

What Is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety involves a persistent fear of social situations where you might be judged or scrutinized.

This can include:

  • Speaking in groups or meetings

  • Meeting new people

  • Eating or drinking in front of others

  • Making phone calls

  • Being the center of attention

Even everyday interactions can feel:
Stressful, draining, or overwhelming

Common Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety affects both thoughts and physical reactions.

Mental symptoms:

  • Fear of embarrassment or saying the wrong thing

  • Overthinking conversations before or after they happen

  • Negative self-talk (“I sounded stupid”)

  • Intense self-awareness

Physical symptoms:

  • Blushing

  • Sweating

  • Shaking

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Difficulty speaking

These reactions can make social situations feel even more difficult.

The Cycle of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety often follows a pattern:

  1. Anticipation of a social situation

  2. Anxiety increases (“What if I mess up?”)

  3. Avoidance or safety behaviors

  4. Temporary relief

  5. Increased anxiety next time

Avoidance keeps the anxiety going

How Therapy Helps with Social Anxiety

At Dear Therapy, we use CBT and exposure-based approaches to help break the cycle.

Therapy helps you:

  • Gradually face social situations

  • Reduce avoidance behaviors

  • Shift unhelpful thinking patterns

  • Build confidence through real experiences

  • Feel more comfortable being yourself around others

The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety completely—
It’s to make it manageable and no longer limiting

What Social Anxiety Therapy Looks Like

Our approach is practical, structured, and focused on real-life change.

You can expect:

  • Identifying your specific triggers and patterns

  • Gradual exposure to social situations

  • Reducing “safety behaviors” (like avoiding eye contact or rehearsing excessively)

  • Learning to tolerate discomfort

  • Practicing skills in everyday environments

Over time, situations that once felt overwhelming become:
More manageable and less intimidating

Social Anxiety and OCD

In some cases, social anxiety overlaps with OCD.

This can include:

  • Obsessive thoughts about saying the wrong thing

  • Mental reviewing of conversations

  • Reassurance-seeking

  • Perfectionism in social interactions

Treatment can address both:
The anxiety and the compulsive patterns that maintain it

Who This Is For

We work with:

  • Individuals who avoid social situations

  • People who feel anxious speaking in groups or at work

  • Teens struggling with peer interactions

  • Individuals who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking and self-doubt

If social anxiety is limiting your life, therapy can help.

Start Social Anxiety Therapy

You don’t have to keep avoiding situations or feeling overwhelmed around others.

With the right support, it’s possible to:
Feel more confident, more present, and more comfortable in social situations