Starting Here
Maybe you replay conversations for hours afterward, cataloging everything you might have said wrong. Maybe the anticipation of a social event is worse than the event itself.
Social anxiety can make ordinary interactions feel like a performance under evaluation. Therapy can help you feel more like yourself around other people.
This Can Look Like
Social anxiety can look like:
- Intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized by others
- Physical symptoms—blushing, sweating, a racing heart—in social situations
- Avoiding social events, gatherings, or speaking up in groups
- Replaying conversations afterward, searching for mistakes
- Difficulty making eye contact or feeling at ease in conversation
- Exhaustion from “performing” through social interactions
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy helps you feel less like you're being watched and judged. We'll help you:
- Understand the thought patterns fueling social fear
- Gradually reduce avoidance of social situations
- Build tolerance for the discomfort of being seen
- Quiet the post-event replay and self-criticism
- Feel more genuinely yourself in social settings, not just less anxious
Our Approach
We use a gradual, structured approach that respects how uncomfortable social exposure can feel, building confidence step by step rather than pushing you into situations before you're ready.
Therapeutic Approaches We May Use
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — addressing anxious thoughts about judgment and evaluation
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — reducing avoidance in line with your values
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy — staying present instead of self-monitoring in social settings
- Somatic Experiencing — calming physical anxiety symptoms in social situations
Who Might Benefit From Treatment
Social anxiety therapy may be a good fit if you:
- Feel intense fear or self-consciousness in social situations
- Avoid gatherings, presentations, or speaking up in groups
- Replay social interactions with heavy self-criticism afterward
- Notice social anxiety limiting relationships, work, or opportunities
- Want to feel more at ease being seen by others
What to Expect in Therapy
Your first session maps out where social anxiety shows up most and what you've already tried to manage it.
Your therapist will help you gradually build confidence in social situations at a pace that feels challenging but manageable, not overwhelming.
Sessions are available in person at our Midtown Nashville office or online for clients throughout Tennessee.
FAQ
Is social anxiety the same as being introverted?
No. Introversion is a personality trait related to how you gain energy; social anxiety involves fear and avoidance that can affect anyone, introverted or extroverted, and often causes real distress.
How is this different from Loneliness & Social Isolation therapy?
Social anxiety centers on fear and avoidance of social situations. If disconnection or difficulty building relationships feels more central to your experience, without a strong fear component, our
Loneliness & Social Isolation Therapy
page may fit better.
Do you accept insurance?
Nashville Counseling Associates is out-of-network with insurance providers, so we don't bill insurance directly. Many clients use out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed, and we're happy to provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) for you to submit.
Session fees generally range from $130–$185 depending on the clinician, with $85 sessions available with our graduate-level interns and sliding-scale options based on financial need.
How do I get started?
Fill out our contact form or call (615) 281-9139. We'll ask a few questions about what you're looking for and help match you with a therapist whose experience fits social anxiety and fear of judgment.
Sessions are available in person at our Midtown Nashville office or online for clients located anywhere in Tennessee.
Ready to begin counseling?
You don't have to keep carrying this on your own. Reach out to Nashville Counseling Associates, and we'll help connect you with a therapist whose training and approach fit the fear of being judged or watched by others.
