Are you feeling overwhelmed in social situations, unable to fully enjoy life because of constant nervousness or discomfort? At Happy Autumn Counseling, we're here to help you reclaim your confidence and overcome those challenging moments. If you're looking for support in managing social anxiety and want to take control of your happiness, you're in the right place.
Let’s explore the common symptoms, effective treatments, and how you can manage social anxiety with the right support. Ready to get started?
Social anxiety therapy is designed to help individuals who experience intense fear or discomfort in social settings. Through therapy, you can learn how to cope with anxiety, change negative thought patterns, and gradually become more comfortable in social environments. At Happy Autumn Counseling, we use evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, and mindfulness to help you gain control over your social anxiety.
Social anxiety can present itself in many forms, impacting everyday interactions and making it hard to feel comfortable in social settings. Below are some of the most common symptoms:
1. Excessive fear of being judged or embarrassed
Imagine being at a gathering where everyone is chatting casually, but all you can think about is whether people are criticizing your every word. For someone with social anxiety, this fear of being judged or humiliated can be overwhelming. Simple conversations feel like they are under a microscope, causing self-doubt and second-guessing. Whether it’s a work meeting or catching up with friends, this fear can make it hard to participate fully.
2. Avoidance of social gatherings or public speaking
Rather than facing the anxiety head-on, many people with social anxiety choose to avoid situations altogether. For example, you might find yourself skipping parties, turning down invitations, or feeling too anxious to speak up in meetings. Over time, this avoidance can shrink your world and isolate you from meaningful connections.
3. Intense nervousness or discomfort during interactions
Being in a conversation may feel like you’re walking on eggshells, constantly worried about saying the wrong thing or coming across poorly. Instead of enjoying social gatherings, you’re consumed by thoughts like, "What if I say something awkward?" or "Do they think I’m strange?" This intense discomfort turns everyday interactions into stressful experiences.
4. Physical symptoms: Sweating, trembling, or lightheadedness
Social anxiety doesn’t just affect your thoughts—it can manifest physically too. You might notice your palms sweating, your hands trembling, or your heart racing while interacting with others. These physical symptoms make it harder to stay calm and can intensify your fear of judgment.
5. Difficulty making eye contact or initiating conversations
For many people with social anxiety, even something as simple as making eye contact can feel overwhelming. You might avoid eye contact, fearing that it reveals too much about your inner anxiety. Similarly, starting a conversation can be difficult, as the fear of saying the wrong thing often leads to remaining silent.
Everyone feels nervous in social situations from time to time, but social anxiety goes beyond the occasional butterflies. If you find yourself avoiding events or feeling paralyzed by the fear of judgment in everyday interactions, it may be more than just shyness.
For example, do you avoid situations where you need to interact with others, like going to a party, speaking in a meeting, or even asking a stranger for directions? Do you spend hours replaying conversations in your head, analyzing what you said and worrying about how you came across? If these experiences sound familiar, social anxiety may be impacting your life.
It's important to remember that social anxiety isn’t just a passing phase or a bit of introversion. If it’s affecting your daily life and relationships, seeking help can make a significant difference.
We’re here to support you through it. Our therapy approach focuses on practical, proven methods to help you overcome your fears and gain confidence in social situations.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is one of the most effective therapies for social anxiety. CBT helps you identify negative thought patterns, like "Everyone is judging me," and teaches you how to challenge and reframe them. Over time, you’ll learn to replace those thoughts with healthier, more realistic ones.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: This approach encourages you to accept the presence of anxiety rather than trying to eliminate it. We help you identify your values and commit to actions that align with them, even when anxiety is present. By focusing on what truly matters to you, ACT empowers you to move forward in social situations with greater courage and authenticity, reducing the power of fear and avoidance over time.
Exposure Therapy: In a safe and supportive environment, we’ll work together to gradually expose you to social situations that trigger anxiety. Whether it’s initiating conversations or speaking in front of a group, exposure therapy helps reduce the fear associated with these experiences over time.
Mindfulness Techniques: Mindfulness can help you stay present in the moment rather than getting lost in anxious thoughts. We’ll teach you how to ground yourself during social interactions, focusing on what’s happening right now instead of worrying about judgment or embarrassment.
Contact me and we will set up your appointment on what best works for you
We will explore your anxiety triggers and build solutions for long term personal growth in our sessions.
You’ll follow the recommended therapy schedule either weekly, biweekly or monthly
At Happy Autumn Counseling, we are proud to serve the Dallas community by offering personalized therapy for social anxiety. Our bilingual and compassionate therapists are dedicated to helping you regain control over your life. We understand how difficult it can be to manage social anxiety, and we are here to guide you through the journey with empathy and expertise.
Whether it’s navigating daily interactions or overcoming the fear of judgment, our specialists provide a safe and supportive environment for you to grow and heal.
Online therapy offers a convenient, flexible way to get the support you need from the comfort of your home. Whether you live in a busy city like Dallas or across the state of Texas, virtual sessions mean no more commuting or waiting rooms. You can connect with a therapist who understands your unique challenges, whether you’re in your living room or on your lunch break at work.
For individuals dealing with social anxiety, the idea of attending therapy in person can feel intimidating. Online therapy removes that barrier, making it easier to take the first step toward treatment. Plus, it’s flexible enough to fit into your schedule, no matter how hectic life gets.
Online counseling for social anxiety is highly effective, offering comfort, convenience, and gradual exposure opportunities. Clients can receive therapy from home, reducing social pressure and making it easier to open up. Therapists can guide exposure exercises virtually, allowing clients to practice social scenarios in a controlled environment. Online formats are flexible, accessible, and save time, eliminating the stress of commuting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is proven to work well online, enhancing the effectiveness of these sessions. However, it’s crucial to have a quiet space and build a strong therapist-client connection.
Welcome to Happy Autumn Counseling.
We are a virtual group practice of bilingual therapists passionate about supporting you through life’s challenges. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, OCD, substance abuse, or any mental health issue, our goal is to help you regain control, tackle stress, and empower you to thrive.
In social anxiety therapy, we can cover a wide range of topics to help you better manage your anxiety and gain confidence in social settings. Some topics we might explore include:
- Identifying the social situations that trigger your anxiety
- Building confidence in communication and self-expression
- Developing strategies to reduce anxiety in public speaking or group settings
- Improving your ability to engage with others in personal or professional environments
- Coping with the physical symptoms of anxiety, like trembling or sweating
By addressing these areas, we can work together to help you feel more comfortable and confident in social situations.
Take the proactive step towards a brighter, more fulfilling future – book your online therapy for anxiety now and let the journey to getting back control of your life start today
Social anxiety involves fear of judgment or embarrassment in social settings, while autism is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. Social anxiety is more about fear, while autism involves difficulty understanding social cues.
With proper treatment, social anxiety can be managed, and symptoms can improve significantly over time. Therapy helps you develop tools to reduce anxiety and feel more confident in social settings.
If social anxiety interferes with your ability to function in daily life—causing you to avoid work, school, or relationships—it may be considered severe. Seeking professional help can offer relief.
While social anxiety involves fear of social situations, OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Both conditions can coexist, but they are treated differently.
Social anxiety is specific to social interactions, while general anxiety can affect multiple areas of life, including work, health, and personal relationships.
Yes! Happy Autumn Counseling & Supervision, PLLC utilizes a third-party billing party Grow Therapy and Headway to be able to accept your insurance. We are INN with Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, BCBS, Humana, Oscar and Oxford. Please contact me directly so that I can provide you with a link and be able to schedule your session.
If we are utilizing Grow Therapy- we will use Grow Therapy's HIPAA-compliant platform. All other sessions will be conducted through either Doxy or SimplePractice Telehealth which are also HIPAA compliant.
Should the need for cancellation or rescheduling occur, Happy Autumn Counseling & Supervision, LLC requires you, the client, to call or email at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment or you will incur an out-of-pocket fee of $135 fee for the no show/late canceled session. Please contact 972-616-4999 with any questions/concerns.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-877-696-6775.
Be assured that there is no suprise billing from NPCS. We do not offer any additional services beyond what is listed in "Our Rates" section above (with the exception of our documentation fees and court-appearance fees which are listed in our intake paperwork) and therefore you will be not be billed for anything beyond the fees as described. If any new billable services are offered beyond what has been described, you will be given an estimate for your approval before that service is provided.
Online counseling across Texas and Arkansas for anxiety and OCD. We also offer immigration evaluations and clinical supervision.
Mail to be delivered to: 5900 Balcones Drive #15422
Austin, TX 78731
+1 (469) 319-2680
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