Social Anxiety Therapy in
Oradell, NJ
Do You Feel Nervous, Self-Conscious, or Afraid of Being Judged?
- Do you replay conversations fearing you said something wrong?
- Perhaps your feel sick to your stomach even thinking about having to talk infront of people?
- Maybe you have cancelled plans because you were too nervous to go
- Have you missed out on opportunities because you were too nervous to go or speak up?
Social Anxiety is More Than Just Being Shy
If you struggle with social anxiety, everyday interactions may feel overwhelming. You might worry excessively about being judged, embarrassed, or not knowing what to say. Even simple situations like making small talk, meeting new people, ordering food, speaking up at work, or school or answering a question in a group can leave you tense, shaky, or mentally rehearsing every word.
Maybe you avoid social situations altogether: turning down invitations, staying quiet in meetings, or withdrawing from opportunities you genuinely want. Or perhaps you push through but spend the entire time feeling panicked inside, analyzing every gesture or expression from others.
Social anxiety can affect so many parts of life: school, career growth, friendships, dating, family relationships, and your overall sense of confidence. You may wonder why these situations feel so hard when they seem easy for everyone else, or why your mind constantly jumps to the worst-case scenario.
But social anxiety is treatable, and you absolutely can learn to feel more grounded, confident, and comfortable around others.
I provide social anxiety counseling both in-person at my Oradell, NJ office or virtually!
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Social Anxiety Is More Common Than You Think
People with social anxiety often times feel like they are the only ones struggling like this, but that is not the case. Social anxiety is actually one of the most common anxiety disorders. In the United States about 7.1% of adults had social anxiety disorder in the past 12 months. Approximately 12.1% of adults will experience social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives (lifetime prevalence).
Causes and Risk Factors for Social Anxiety
It is not completely clear as to why someone may have social anxiety. Social anxiety can be related to your environment, brain structure, and inherited traits.
There are also many risk factors someone could face that can lead to social anxiety including family history, shyness at a young age, negative experiences such as bullying, new social or work demands, and having an appearance that draws attention.
But, the good news is that social anxiety is very treatable through CBT and exposure work. Therapy can provide a safe place for you to be your authentic self and works towards a goal of allowing the real you to flourish in public.
Social Anxiety Therapy Can Help You Feel More Confident
If social anxiety has become a part of your life, you may wonder if therapy can help get your symptoms under control. But even if you have been living with this condition for years, a compassionate therapist can teach you skills to apply in your daily life.
What You Can Expect in Sessions
Before your first session, I will ask you to fill out intake paperwork with important details that will help me to understand your background. During our first session, we will go over your entire history and will also discuss how social anxiety has affected your life.
From there, we will have weekly sessions. You will learn to identify your triggers that activate anxiety, explore thoughts that create fear, learn calming techniques, slowly practice exposures to help you become less anxious, reduce avoidant behaviors, and become more confident.
Compassionate, Collaborative and Structured Social Anxiety Therapy
In therapy, I blend all of three of these together throughout your journey to help you overcome your symptoms of social anxiety and help you to live a calmer life with more clarity.
Exposure Based Strategies
One of the main ways to get over a fear social situation is to face the feared social situation. Exposure work can feel scary for some, but I promise you that it won’t be. We will create a list of social situations that create anxiety for you. Then we rank them from least scary to most scary and then we begin creating goals to get you to practice facing your fears.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify unhelpful thoughts and beliefs and replace them with more balanced, realistic ways of thinking. You also learn behavior strategies that reinforce healthier patterns.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT teaches you to notice and accept intrusive thoughts and feelings without fighting them. Instead of trying to eliminate discomfort, you learn to make room for it and choose actions aligned with your values.
ACT helps you build a life guided by personal values rather than fear or avoidance.
Why Anew Counseling Services for Social Anxiety Therapy?
I have over 17 years of experience working with clients who struggle with social anxiety. I understand how much this can limit you and how many opportunities you may miss or have already missed because you were too scared to speak up or advocate for yourself. I’ve seen clients grow from feeling terrified of speaking up to feeling confident and connected in their relationships, workplaces, and communities.
Common Questions About Anxiety Therapy
What if I feel embarrassed talking about my fears?
Many clients worry about this, and it’s completely understandable. But therapy is a safe, confidential space where you don’t have to pretend. My role is to help you understand your experiences without judgment so you can feel more free and empowered.
Will exposure therapy force me to do things I’m not ready for?
No. You will never be forced to do anything you do not want to. Exposure is always gentle and collaborative. You are in control of the pace, and we design each step together. We will never rush into overwhelming situations. The goal is to build confidence gradually, not to push you beyond your limits.
If I have been anxious my whole life in social situations, how can it get fixed now?
Social anxiety often begins early, but therapy is effective no matter when symptoms started. The brain is highly adaptable, and learning new skills can help you break old patterns and create more fulfilling relationships and opportunities.
Let's Work Together to Build More Confidence
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Social Anxiety Therapy Oradell, NJ
617 Oradell Ave, Oradell, NJ 07649