Social Anxiety Therapy in New York and Florida
When Social Situations Feel Overwhelming and Exposing
I provide social anxiety therapy in New York and Florida for adults who feel overwhelmed in social situations. Social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel intensely stressful. Situations that seem simple to others—speaking in a meeting, making small talk, attending social events, or even being noticed—can trigger a powerful fear of judgment, embarrassment, or rejection.
Situations that seem simple to others—speaking in a meeting, making small talk, attending social events, or even being noticed—can trigger a powerful fear of judgment, embarrassment, or rejection.
You may find yourself overthinking social interactions, replaying conversations in your head afterward, or avoiding situations altogether to prevent feeling exposed. Many clients come to therapy after years of asking themselves, “Why am I so self-conscious?” or searching for how to stop overthinking social situations.
For many people, social anxiety isn’t about lacking social skills. It’s about constant self-monitoring—watching what you say, how you sound, how you look, and how others might be interpreting you. Your mind may fixate on small details, amplifying them into proof that you said the “wrong thing” or were perceived negatively. Even neutral interactions can feel exhausting when your attention is turned inward the entire time.
Over time, social anxiety can begin to limit your life. You may turn down invitations, avoid professional opportunities, experience social anxiety at work, or keep relationships at a distance—not because you don’t want connection, but because the anxiety feels too intense.
Social anxiety can be especially painful because it often looks invisible from the outside. You might seem composed or capable while internally feeling tense, hyperaware, and preoccupied with getting everything right. This gap between how you appear and how you feel can create isolation and self-doubt. Therapy isn’t about changing your personality. It’s about helping you feel freer to show up as yourself.
If fear of judgment or scrutiny is shaping your choices, social anxiety therapy can help you step out of this cycle.
Social Anxiety Is Not a Personal Flaw — It’s a Treatable Condition
Social anxiety disorder develops when the brain becomes overly focused on social threat. Your nervous system learns to interpret attention, evaluation, or uncertainty in social situations as dangerous, even when there is no real risk. This heightened self-consciousness can make anxiety feel immediate and unavoidable.
Many people with social anxiety are thoughtful, perceptive, and deeply attuned to others. These strengths can become sources of distress when your mind turns them inward, constantly scanning for signs of disapproval. Because avoidance or “playing it safe” can reduce anxiety temporarily, it can feel like the only way to cope—even though it reinforces the fear over time.
Social anxiety is one of the most common anxiety disorders. Some people struggle primarily with fear of public speaking, anxiety before presentations, or anxiety in meetings. Others experience fear in everyday interactions, dating, or group settings. What these experiences share is the fear of being judged or embarrassed.
The good news is that social anxiety treatment in New York and Florida is highly effective. With the right therapeutic approach, it’s possible to reduce self-focus, tolerate uncertainty in social situations, and feel more at ease being yourself around others.
How Social Anxiety Therapy Helps You Feel More Confident and Present
CBT for social anxiety focuses on changing how you relate to anxiety-provoking thoughts and sensations rather than trying to eliminate anxiety altogether. The goal is to help you shift attention outward, reduce avoidance, and respond to fear without letting it dictate your behavior.
My approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and gradual exposure therapy for social anxiety, both considered gold-standard treatments. Rather than trying to perform “perfectly,” therapy helps you learn how to stay present—even when anxiety shows up.
In sessions, we identify the specific situations that trigger your anxiety and the strategies you use to cope, such as over-preparing, rehearsing, mentally reviewing conversations, or avoiding eye contact. If you’ve searched for how to overcome social anxiety or help for social anxiety in adults, therapy provides structured tools that go beyond reassurance.
Sessions are structured and practical, but paced carefully so progress feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
As therapy progresses, many clients notice that social situations feel less consuming. Anxiety may still arise, but it no longer feels paralyzing. You may find yourself engaging more naturally, taking social risks more easily, and spending less time replaying interactions afterward. Confidence becomes rooted in self-trust rather than constant self-evaluation.
I provide online social anxiety therapy in New York and Florida via secure telehealth for adults across New York and Florida, including clients seeking social anxiety therapy in NYC, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Westchester, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Naples.
Common Questions About Social Anxiety Therapy
Q: What if I’ve always been shy or socially anxious?
Many people believe social anxiety is simply “who they are.” In reality, anxiety is a learned response that can change. Therapy helps you loosen long-standing patterns without needing to change your personality.
Q: Will social anxiety therapy force me into uncomfortable situations?
Exposure is always collaborative and gradual. The goal of exposure therapy for social anxiety is not to overwhelm you, but to help you face feared situations at a pace that builds confidence and resilience over time.
What if my anxiety is mostly internal?
Social anxiety doesn’t have to involve visible avoidance. Mental rehearsal, self-criticism, internal checking, and excessive self-monitoring are common and treatable. Social anxiety therapy addresses both external behaviors and internal patterns.
A Thoughtful, Evidence-Based Approach to Social Anxiety
I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, using evidence-based cognitive-behavioral approaches. I have advanced training in CBT through the Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and during social anxiety treatment I integrate structured skills work with gradual exposure so therapy feels practical and effective—not vague or open-ended.
I’m also the author of two books on anxiety and OCD, written to make complex internal experiences more understandable and less shame-driven. Writing and clinical work inform one another. My approach emphasizes clear psychoeducation, practical tools, and a compassionate understanding of how limiting social anxiety can feel.
If you’re looking for structured social anxiety therapy in New York and Florida, sessions are conducted via secure telehealth so you can access specialized care from the comfort of your home.
Social Anxiety Therapy Across New York and Florida
I provide social anxiety therapy via secure telehealth for adults across New York and Florida, including New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, and Long Island, as well as Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville.
You Don’t Have to Let Social Anxiety Hold You Back
If fear of judgment, self-consciousness, anxiety at work, or avoidance of social situations is interfering with your relationships, career, or daily life, help is available. I offer online social anxiety therapy in New York and Florida, making care accessible whether you live in NYC, Westchester, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or elsewhere in the state.
You’re welcome to reach out to schedule a free consultation and see whether working together feels like the right fit. With evidence-based social anxiety treatment, it’s possible to feel more confident, present, and at ease in social situations.