Social Anxiety Therapy for Adults in New York
Does this sound like you?
Social anxiety, sometimes called social anxiety disorder (SAD), often shows up in quiet but exhausting ways.
You might replay conversations long after they’re over, second-guess what you said, or wonder if you made a bad impression. Small interactions can feel high-stakes, leaving you unusually self-conscious or worried that others see you as awkward, strange, or not measuring up.
You may avoid speaking up, overprepare what to say, or stay on the sidelines to prevent embarrassment. Even when things go well, it can be hard to relax or feel fully confident in social situations.
You’re not broken — your nervous system is responding to perceived threat.
Social anxiety isn’t a flaw in your personality. It’s a learned anxiety response shaped by experiences and expectations, where your mind tries to protect you from embarrassment or rejection.
Therapy for social anxiety helps your mind and body relearn safety in social situations — not by forcing confidence or “positive thinking,” but by gradually reducing fear and building genuine comfort around others.
What social anxiety actually is.
At its core, social anxiety is a fear of being negatively evaluated by others. This often shows up as worries about embarrassment, humiliation, rejection, or saying the “wrong” thing. You may become overly focused on how you’re coming across, constantly monitoring yourself and scanning for signs of judgment.
It’s common to replay conversations long after they’re over, second-guess what you said, or doubt whether you made a good impression. You might feel unusually self-conscious and wonder if others see you as awkward, strange, or not measuring up.
How Therapy Helps
Feel calmer and more grounded in social or professional situations
Spend less time overthinking conversations or replaying interactions
Speak more freely without mentally rehearsing every word
Approach situations they once avoided with greater confidence
Reduce harsh self-criticism and develop a more balanced inner voice
Trust themselves instead of constantly monitoring how they appear to others
Experience social situations as manageable rather than threatening
