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OVERCOME SOCIAL ANXIETY BY REDUCING YOUR AVOIDANCE MODES

If you have social anxiety, avoidant coping modes may help you avoid activation of your schemas and your inner critic. Schemas are broad, pervasive themes regarding oneself and others, developed during childhood and reinforced throughout one’s lifetime. They tend to be unhelpful to a significant degree. In social anxiety, schemas may consist of core beliefs… Continue reading

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SOCIAL ANXIETY ROADBLOCKS TO DEEPENING RELATIONSHIPS

While the idea of introducing yourself to someone new is a very common challenge for those who struggle with social anxiety, for many the greater and often overlooked pain comes from difficulty deepening relationships to a more meaningful level. Many clients I have had the honor of working with have reported making some progress with… Continue reading

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LEARNING TO “BE YOURSELF” WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY

I still remember a seemingly trivial moment while volunteering and travelling in New Zealand during my college years. After a hike through the rolling green hills with some travel friends, we stopped in a local shop with some custom design T-shirts. As I was about to leave without being inspired to purchase anything, I got… Continue reading

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SOCIAL ANXIETY IN TODDLERS

Toddlerhood is defined as the age range from 12 to 36 months. During this period, a child’s emotional and cognitive development grows by leaps and bounds, as do their social skills. This also coincides with the time when children are likely to go into a daycare environment or head off to preschool. As they engage… Continue reading

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FOSTERING PRIDE TO HELP OVERSOME SOCIAL ANXIETY

The perils of beating ourselves up “I can’t believe I said that! I’m such an idiot!” “I made the conversation so awkward and boring!” “I came across as so anxious and weird! How can I ever face these people again?!” “I made such a terrible impression! I’m humiliated!” These are just a few examples of… Continue reading

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BENEFITS OF GROUP THERAPY FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY

Social anxiety can often contribute to people feeling like they are alone. Automatic thoughts such as, “I’m too awkward”, “I can’t make friends”, and “Everyone thinks I’m weird”, are hallmarks of social anxiety. These thoughts can make it difficult to reach out for help. Core Benefits of Group Work Group therapy for social anxiety has… Continue reading

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USING VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY TO TREAT SOCIAL ANXIETY

People are inherently social. We band together in social groups at work or in school, we pair up in relationships and bond with friends over sports games. We even go out of our way to join online games or social media groups themed around a common interest. This bonding is deeply ingrained in our psyche… Continue reading