Does It Feel Like Your Social Anxiety Is Taking The Joy Out Of Life?
Do you dread speaking up in meetings — even when you have something valuable to say — because of the fear of being judged?
Have you turned down invitations or stopped trying to make new friends because navigating social situations feels more exhausting than it is worth?
Do you feel lonely, even around people, because the anxiety keeps you from ever truly letting anyone in?
If any of this sounds familiar, please know: there is nothing fundamentally wrong with you. Social anxiety is not a character flaw or a sign of weakness. It is a very real, very treatable condition.
The Invisible Weight You Carry Every Day
What makes social anxiety so exhausting is that it operates constantly, beneath the surface. People with social anxiety are often remarkably high-functioning on the outside. I work with many accomplished professionals — engineers, managers, and team leads — who appear confident and capable to everyone around them. But inside, the effort it takes is enormous. They are constantly monitoring themselves, bracing for judgment, and managing a level of internal noise that most people around them have no idea exists. And perhaps what hurts most is the loneliness of being with people and still feeling like an outsider. Of wanting connection, real connection, and having anxiety stand in the way every single time. You deserve more than a life spent managing around your anxiety. With the support of a therapist who understands social anxiety deeply — both as a psychologist and as someone who has experienced it personally — you can learn to move through the world with far greater ease, confidence, and genuine connection.Reach Out
What You Are Experiencing Is Far More Common Than You Know
Social anxiety disorder affects an estimated 15 million adults in the United States, making it one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the country.¹ And yet, the average person with social anxiety waits more than ten years before seeking help.
Social anxiety has a way of convincing us that everyone else is perfectly comfortable and we are the only ones struggling. It can be deeply isolating to look around a room and believe, with absolute certainty, that no one else feels the way we do. But that belief is one of anxiety’s most convincing — and most inaccurate — stories.
Why Avoidance Makes It Worse — Not Better
Social anxiety grows in the space that avoidance creates. Declining an invitation or staying quiet in a meeting provides relief, but it comes at a cost. The nervous system sees it as proof that the threat was real, and the anxiety around similar situations quietly expands. Over time, the circle of what feels manageable grows smaller. And all the while, the anxiety convinces you that this is simply who you are — that some people are just not built for connection or visibility or leadership. That is not true. This is a pattern — and patterns can change. Counseling can help those with social anxiety disorder learn to move through their days with the steadiness, warmth, and confidence they never imagined possible for them.Social Anxiety Therapy in Seattle – An Approach Built Around Helping You To Become Confident
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience helping people overcome the social anxiety that holds them back. Based in Seattle near Mercer Island, I work with a wide range of individuals — from professionals navigating the high-pressure cultures of our local tech and retail industries to those simply wanting to feel more at ease in their daily lives.
My understanding is personal as well as clinical. Early in my career, I faced significant public speaking anxiety. I know the dread of feeling your thoughts scatter and your body betray you in critical moments. That experience gives me deep empathy for the weight my clients carry and a firm conviction that this is a pattern you truly can change.
Treatment That Is Working Directly With The Roots Of Social Anxiety
My approach is collaborative and tailored to how social anxiety actually affects you. We will focus on your specific triggers: the catastrophic “worst-case” thoughts before a meeting, the physical tension that locks up your voice, or the relentless self-critical replay that runs long after an event is over.
Social anxiety doesn’t just happen at the office, so therapy sessions with me aren’t limited to it either. Whether you want to feel less drained after a family gathering, show up more fully for friendships, or simply feel less guarded in daily life, we will focus on practical, adaptable approaches to wherever anxiety gets in your way.
What Our Work Looks Like in Practice
By integrating a combination of strategies based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rapid Relaxation techniques, Imagery Rescripting, and mental rehearsals, we can interrupt the social anxiety spiral, help you overcome avoidance, and quiet the aftermath.
Together, we will build a toolkit to address your anxiety in real-time:
- Interrupting the Spiral: If you fear “going blank,” we work on mental resets that steady your focus before the panic builds.
- Overcoming Avoidance: If you find yourself turning down plans or staying quiet in meetings, we gradually update your nervous system to view social situations as safe rather than threatening.
- Quieting the Aftermath: If you struggle with the “post-event replay,” we focus on silencing the inner critic and developing a more compassionate way of reflecting on your interactions.
Between sessions, I provide you with practical exercises to help you build confidence in real-world situations. Most clients notice meaningful shifts quickly — moving toward a quieter nervous system, a steadier sense of self, and the freedom to be genuinely present with others.
But, you still may have questions or concerns…
I’m nervous about reaching out. What if I freeze up during our call?
It makes complete sense that contacting a new person, especially a counselor, feels daunting — that is exactly what social anxiety targets. That’s why I will keep our first conversation simple and low-pressure. You don’t need the “right words” or a polished explanation. We will navigate the conversation together at your pace. There is no performance here, just a genuine, supportive space.I’ve struggled with this for years. Is change really possible for me?
Social anxiety may be entrenched, but it is not your identity — it is a learned pattern that therapy can change. Over 25 years, I’ve watched clients who felt “stuck” for decades begin to lead meetings and build deep connections. Your history with anxiety does not have to define your future either.Will therapy force me into situations before I’m ready?
We will never move faster than you are comfortable with. Our work is entirely collaborative, and you remain in control of every step. In counseling sessions, we focus on building your internal resilience and social anxiety “toolkit” first. By the time you choose to face a challenge, you’ll have the actual skills to handle it, making the process feel much more manageable than you feared.You Don’t Have to Navigate Social Anxiety Alone
If social anxiety is limiting your life or career, know that things can genuinely change. Therapy for social anxiety disorder can help you break free from that cycle of rehearsing conversations or avoiding opportunities.
I invite you to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation with me. We’ll discuss what you’re experiencing and see if we’re a good fit — no pressure or commitment, just a conversation.
(I serve clients in Seattle, near Mercer Island, and throughout the Pacific Northwest via telehealth.)