Social anxiety counseling helps people better understand and manage the anxiety they experience in or because of social interactions. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings as a result of social interactions or settings and they’re affecting your day-to-day life, consider seeking social anxiety counseling with one of our trained Thriveworks Henrico therapists. The social anxiety therapists at Thriveworks can develop a treatment plan that will help you better manage your day-to-day social anxiety or your social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety counseling involves talking to a therapist about your social anxiety symptoms, potential causes, and more. Your therapist will then work with you to determine where your social anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.
Social anxiety counseling can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, depending on the severity of one’s social anxiety as well as their needs and preferences.
What are the Symptoms of Social Anxiety?
Individuals who suffer from anxiety may experience symptoms that will appear as:
- Increased heart rate and/or sweating
- Bodily shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling faint
- Persistent negative thoughts such as: “I don’t fit in”, or “No one here likes me”
- Apologizing often and/or seeking constant reassurance from others
- Spending an excessive amount of time preparing for social encounters
- Leaving a social situation abruptly or avoiding it altogether
Researchers have found that social anxiety originates due to one or more factors, including a person’s genetic makeup, localized abnormal brain activity, and/or negative life experiences that may be linked back to the patient’s childhood. If you or a loved one suffers from social anxiety, the good news is that it’s treatable using several therapy methods including individualized outpatient counseling.
How Outpatient Counseling Benefits Social Anxiety Patients
Most of the proven treatment approaches for social anxiety involve professional counseling, or coaching, sessions. Individual therapy sessions typically focus on these effective methods:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which identifies strategies to overcome anxiety while developing healthy coping mechanisms
- Social skills training to build stronger interpersonal communication tools
- Exposing the patient to situations they tend to avoid, and uncomfortable sensations resulting from their anxiety, to overcome their fears
- Encouraging the patient to perform random acts of kindness towards others, which can promote positive feedback and a renewed sense of well-being
If needed, your anxiety therapist may pair you with a licensed psychiatric NP who may prescribe anxiety or antidepressant medications in addition to counseling sessions.
Thriveworks Henrico, VA Counselors Understand Social Anxiety
At Thriveworks Short Pump, our compassionate and helpful social anxiety counselors understand social anxiety and will assist you in developing coping skills to overcome its tight grip as you progress down the road to a healthier, happier, and more confident you. For more information on our social anxiety counseling services, call us or schedule your first session online today.
