About social anxiety and phobia
On this page you can explore therapist profiles focused on social anxiety and phobia, including details about their approaches, languages, and clinical focus. Browse the listings below to find professionals whose methods and background match what you want to try.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether social anxiety and phobia is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has social anxiety and phobia among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for social anxiety and phobia
Pietro (Pete) Martucci, LPCC
Ref 37848
Calm guidance for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAngela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRoseanne Jackson, LCSW, LCSW-R
Ref 54688
Compassionate, practical help for big life stressors
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingApril Lacey, LCPC
Ref 94106
Helping people find steady change and clearer paths
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingTiffany Whittington, LMFT
Ref 243569
Compassionate therapist offering practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnastasia Seale, BACP
Ref 173105
Compassionate integrative counsellor for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Russian
View listingJennifer Hughes, NCPS
Ref 187476
Warm, practical therapy for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMalak Alsaidi, LCSW
Ref 203999
Supportive New York LCSW focused on healing
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAnn Keith, LCSW
Ref 103213
Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPamela DiGangi, LMHC
Ref 26004
Calm, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingMelody Hatter, LCSW, CSW, LISW
Ref 123632
Practical support for anxiety and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMarni Tartack, LCSW
Ref 303765
Strength through practical steps
Works with: Grief, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJonathan Wilkes, BACP
Ref 123145
Calm listening with practical skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingNatalie Benjamin, BACP
Ref 254598
Warm, practical counselling for stress and mood
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJulia Allen, BACP
Ref 193195
Practical support for stress and low mood
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRoselyn Robertson, BACP
Ref 202372
Sensitive, practical counselling for life’s difficult moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJonetta Wakely, LPC
Ref 124539
Practical, listening-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingCynthia Rumford-Jones, LCSW
Ref 101833
Calm practical therapist focused on progress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingChristine Fleming, NCPS
Ref 227435
Supportive counsellor for stress and grief
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingWendy Mayfield, BACP
Ref 100144
Practical, steady support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingAmie Schuman, LCSW, CSW
Ref 287342
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Eating, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingChris Sergeant, BACP
Ref 104855
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingBianca Righetti, BACP
Ref 220095
Practical support for stress, anxiety and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBrittany Elledge, LPCC, LMHC
Ref 11729
Practical, client-centered support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDawn Nunney, NCPS
Ref 97317
Compassionate person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingWendi Makus, LPC
Ref 48129
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingEmma Skoglund, LCSW
Ref 342061
Evidence-based guidance for relationships and trauma
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingLiisa Hiltunen, PACFA
Ref 317033
Calm practical therapy with coaching focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBrandi Kelly, LA Psychologist
Ref 201932
Experienced Louisiana psychologist focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Depression Languages: English
View listingDebbie Griffin, NCPS
Ref 183398
Calm guidance for stress and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCarol Broad, NCPS
Ref 128573
Calm, practical counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingShawn Alyea, LPC
Ref 14872
Compassionate counselor guiding practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingTammy Russell, LMHC
Ref 181426
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMelissa Upton, LPC
Ref 126683
Empathetic counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingJennifer Blaney-Sutton, BACP
Ref 225637
Collaborative psychotherapist for adult challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingClaire Lewis, BACP
Ref 287880
Supportive person-centred counselling
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingDarwin Allen, LCPC
Ref 125869
Direct, practical counseling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnnie Taylor, NCPS
Ref 153305
Experienced client-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingLisa McCormack, BACP
Ref 256148
Practical, compassionate therapy for anxiety and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingEthel-Caroline Miman, AASW
Ref 259803
Gentle, practical therapy for life’s big challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingAnna Gilmore, BACP
Ref 109642
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating Languages: English
View listingKavitha Devarajan, AASW
Ref 345247
Supporting stress, anxiety and life goals
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English, Hindi, Kannada
View listingNicholas Taylor, BACP
Ref 242465
Practical person-centred counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingMarilee Frazier, LPC
Ref 257654
Compassionate counselor for adults seeking practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMore about social anxiety and phobia
Understanding social anxiety and phobia
Social anxiety and phobia describe intense worry or fear about social situations where you might be observed, judged, or evaluated. For some people this looks like a strong fear of public speaking, while for others it shows up as dread of meeting new people, eating in public, or performing tasks in front of others. The anxiety can be mainly about the immediate sensations - trembling, blushing, or feeling your mind go blank - and it can also be about what those sensations might mean about you as a person. Over time, those concerns can lead to avoidance of social settings and a narrowing of everyday life.
You may notice that situations which once felt manageable now provoke intense anticipation, or that you spend a lot of time rehearsing conversations and analyzing past interactions. That pattern of avoidance and rumination can affect relationships, work or school performance, and your sense of well-being. Social anxiety can present differently depending on your temperament, cultural background, and life stage, so it is helpful to think about how these worries show up for you personally rather than relying on a single label.
Signs you might benefit from therapy
If your fear of social situations interferes with the things you want to do, therapy can help you learn new ways of responding. You might consider seeking therapeutic support if you find yourself avoiding social events, turning down job or dating opportunities, or consistently feeling paralyzed by the thought of interacting with others. You may also notice intense physical reactions before or during social encounters, such as a racing heart, shaking, sweating, nausea, or difficulty speaking. Those physical symptoms can reinforce the cycle of anxiety and avoidance.
Another sign that therapy could be helpful is spending a large amount of time worrying about how others perceive you, replaying interactions, or ruminating about perceived mistakes. You might use alcohol, food, or other coping strategies to get through social situations, which can be a signal that the underlying anxiety is becoming harder to manage on your own. Therapy is intended to be a collaborative process that helps you identify patterns, practice new skills, and build confidence in settings that currently feel threatening.
What to expect in therapy for social anxiety
When you begin therapy for social anxiety, the first phase usually focuses on building understanding and clear goals. Your therapist will ask about the situations that trigger anxiety, how you cope, and what you want to be able to do differently. That assessment helps you and your therapist set steps that feel manageable and relevant to your life. Sessions often mix psychoeducation - learning about how anxiety works - with practical exercises you can use between meetings.
Common session elements
Typical elements of treatment include skill-building for managing symptoms, such as breathing techniques, grounding strategies, and cognitive approaches that help you identify and test unhelpful thoughts. Role-playing and behavioral experiments are often used so you can practice interactions in a supportive setting, followed by reflection on what you learned. Homework assignments are common - these are structured ways to gradually face situations that currently feel threatening, so progress accumulates over time rather than relying on hope alone.
Common therapeutic approaches
Therapists who list cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, among their approaches frequently use a combination of cognitive restructuring and exposure-based activities to reduce anxiety. Therapists who list acceptance and commitment therapy among their approaches may emphasize values-based action and learning to live with uncomfortable feelings while pursuing meaningful activities. You will also find therapists who list mindfulness-based strategies, interpersonal approaches, or psychodynamic methods among their approaches, each bringing different emphases on thought patterns, behavior, or relational history. Group therapy is another option that some therapists list among their approaches; it gives you a chance to practice social skills in real time while receiving feedback from others in a similar position.
How online therapy works for social anxiety and phobia
Online therapy has become a practical option for people seeking help with social anxiety because it increases access to clinicians with relevant experience and offers flexible session formats. Typical online care includes video sessions that mirror in-person therapy, phone sessions for shorter check-ins, and text-based messaging for sharing progress or homework between meetings. You can practice exposure tasks and social skills in ways that draw on your online sessions - for example, rehearsing conversations on video, recording role-play exercises, or arranging real-world exposures with support from your therapist.
Many people appreciate that online sessions allow them to work from a familiar setting, which can lower barriers to beginning treatment. At the same time, online work requires attention to practical details such as internet connection, camera setup, and a quiet place where you can focus. If you plan to try online sessions, consider whether you want a clinician who specifically lists experience with virtual care among their approaches, and ask how they adapt exposure exercises and role-plays to an online format. Therapists often coordinate with local resources or prescribing clinicians when medication or additional services are being considered as part of a broader plan.
Tips for choosing the right therapist for social anxiety and phobia
When you look through profiles, focus on fit as much as any single technique. Read how therapists describe their work with social anxiety, what populations they focus on, and which approaches they list among their approaches. If you value a skills-based path, you might prioritize clinicians who mention cognitive behavioral strategies and exposure methods among their approaches. If you want attention to the relationship between past experiences and present anxiety, consider therapists who list psychodynamic or relational work among their approaches. Language, cultural background, and experience with particular communities can also shape whether you feel understood and respected.
Think about practical preferences such as session length, communication style, and whether you would be open to group therapy as part of treatment. When you reach out to a therapist, it can be helpful to ask about how they typically structure sessions for social anxiety, what kinds of homework they suggest, and how they measure progress. Trust your sense of rapport - feeling comfortable sharing your experiences is an important part of change. You do not need to find a perfect match on the first try; sometimes a few initial conversations can help you decide who fits your needs and approach.
Ultimately, therapy is a partnership. By clarifying your goals, learning practical skills, and taking steps that gradually expand what feels possible, you can reduce the hold social anxiety has on your choices and cultivate greater freedom in social settings. Use the therapist profiles on this page to explore options, compare approaches, and identify clinicians whose focus and communication style align with what you want to work on.