Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is more than just shyness; it’s a persistent fear of being evaluated and judged in social and performance situations. As a result of this fear, social situations are avoided or entered with significant anxiety. Often the fear is that others will notice anxious symptoms and judge negatively as a result. This can lead to… Continue reading

Do you often feel like you don’t fit in? Do you think others see you as an outcast or strange? Do you struggle to form deep and meaningful connections? If so, you may have a social isolation schema. This schema can lead to social anxiety and avoidance along with other problems.
While many of us feel like we don’t fit in sometimes, with a social… Continue reading

If you have ever struggled with apprehension and anxiety in social situations, then the below thoughts will likely sound familiar:

“Did I say or do something offensive?”
“Other people must think I’m weird.”
“What if I burden others and they are annoyed?”

While automatic thoughts such as these that arise in social situations and lead to significant… Continue reading

Have you ever wondered what truly makes people feel connected? Many assume it’s about being a great listener or having an outgoing, bubbly personality. While these qualities can help, the real foundation of meaningful connection—the social cement—is something deeper: emotions, and more specifically, the sharing of emotional… Continue reading

Sexual anxiety is a natural extension of social anxiety, affecting not only how we interact in daily life but also how we engage in intimate relationships. Many individuals struggle with fears of rejection, negative judgment, or inadequate performance, which can lead to avoidance, self-criticism, and tension during sexual encounters. The good news is… Continue reading

Children’s screen time has risen dramatically in recent years and their social media use has skyrocketed along with it. It isn’t uncommon for today’s adolescent to check their social media feeds more than a hundred times over the course of a day. As a result, mental health experts are seeing more and more young people struggling because of all this… Continue reading

Sheila
“But I’m not exaggerating!”
Sheila was as emphatic as she was resolute in her statement from the couch across from me. We started working together a few weeks ago with her primary goal to improve her comfort and engagement in social situations. We had spent considerable time doing a deep dive assessment.
Fear of judgment and… Continue reading

Do you want to dance a little jig of relief when a social engagement you committed to gets canceled at the last minute? Would your ideal vision board feature remote cabins, cozy knitting, and a tranquil life with just you and a cat? Have you ever admitted that parts of the pandemic were you living Your Best Life?
Or am I alone in this? A friend… Continue reading

Feeling stressy? If you are between the ages of 12 and 27 years old, it’s very likely that you are. Dubbed “the anxious generation” and “the loneliest generation,” over 60 percent¹ of Generation Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) report experiencing significant stress and anxiety, including social anxiety. One strength among this group of… Continue reading

What do you see when you look in the mirror? What thoughts pass through your mind? What emotions arise?
The mirror offers your reflection but the experience you have when looking in it reflects your body image (BI), or the personal relationship you have with your own body. Body image involves how you think and feel about your physical self and how you… Continue reading

When your core emotional needs are met in childhood, you grow up with positive life themes such as high self-worth and a belief in your ability to cope. Negative life themes emerge when your core emotional needs are not met earlier in life and these negative themes continue into adulthood. These negative life themes are also called schemas, which… Continue reading

When most people think about social anxiety, they often are worried about being judged negatively by others. Some of the common fears are being seen as boring, weird, incompetent or anxious. These fears make a lot of sense, right? We are social beings and want to be included and liked – we want to belong! If others don’t like us for some… Continue reading

Anxiety is one of the most common difficulties that can rapidly increase during the teen years. Social anxiety disorder, which is characterized by a persistent fear of social situations in which your teen is worried about being judged, scrutinized or embarrassed in front of others, occurs in approximately 9% of adolescents. It is often a challenge that… Continue reading

It’s not a surprise that so many clients seek therapy due to an overwhelming fear of public speaking. After all, it’s statistically one of the greatest fears people face by any measure.
For those with social anxiety, the fear of appearing foolish can make public speaking feel impossible. Physical symptoms can include sweating, rapid heartbeat,… Continue reading

Boundaries are important for us all. They help us to advocate for ourselves, prioritize our well-being and protect our peace. This can be particularly useful when you are dating someone new and getting to know each other. Dating is not just about what your date likes or what they think of you. It is about what you like, if it is a good fit, how you… Continue reading