Counselling for social anxiety

Social anxiety can make everyday situations feel stressful and exhausting. You may worry about being judged, saying the wrong thing, or looking uncomfortable. You might avoid social plans, speak less in groups, or replay conversations long after they end. Over time, social anxiety can limit friendships, school, work opportunities, and your confidence.

At Forward Mind Counselling in Surrey, our registered clinical counsellors offer social anxiety counselling for teens and adults. We provide practical tools and structured support to help you feel calmer in social settings and more confident in daily life.

Understanding Social Anxiety and Its Impact

Social anxiety is more than shyness. It involves a strong fear of embarrassment, criticism, or rejection. This fear can show up in many situations, including meeting new people, speaking in class, attending work events, or even making phone calls.

Common signs of social anxiety include:

Avoiding social situations or leaving early
Overthinking conversations or social interactions
Trouble speaking up in groups or at work
Feeling tense, shaky, or flushed around others

Fear of being watched, judged, or “doing something wrong.”
Difficulty making friends or maintaining relationships
Feeling drained after social events
Experiencing poor affects sleep, mood, and self-esteem.

What Can You Expect From Social Anxiety Counselling?

In the early sessions, we take time to understand how social anxiety affects your daily life. We look at the situations that trigger fear or discomfort, the physical symptoms you experience, and the coping habits that keep anxiety going, such as avoidance or overthinking. We also explore the thoughts and beliefs that fuel self-doubt and make social situations feel unsafe.

Your counsellor will help you identify patterns, set clear goals, and build strategies you can use right away. You’ll learn skills to manage physical anxiety symptoms, challenge self-critical thinking, and respond to stress with more control. As therapy progresses, we help you build confidence through step-by-step practice in real-life situations, while also developing routines that support long-term stability. We move at your pace, and you stay in control of the process.

Therapeutic Modalities for Social Anxiety Counselling

Our counsellors use evidence-based approaches that support lasting change.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you identify thought patterns that increase fear and self-doubt. Together, we challenge these patterns and build more balanced ways of thinking. CBT also supports behavioural change by helping you take gradual steps toward situations you avoid.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is a structured approach that helps you face feared social situations in a gradual, supported way. Instead of avoiding discomfort or using safety behaviours, you learn how to tolerate anxiety and respond differently. Over time, anxiety often decreases and confidence increases.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you relate to anxious thoughts in a more flexible way. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, you learn how to make space for discomfort while still taking steps toward your goals. This approach supports values-based action, even when anxiety is present.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT offers skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance. It can be helpful when social anxiety leads to strong emotions, shutdown, or panic. DBT also supports interpersonal effectiveness, which helps with boundaries, assertive communication, and relationship stability.

Contact Us

You don’t have to manage social anxiety on your own. With the right tools and support, you can feel more confident, less reactive, and more at ease around others.

Forward Mind Counselling offers both in-person and online sessions for social anxiety counselling in Surrey.

Book a confidential social anxiety counselling session in Surrey today.

Social Anxiety Counselling in Surrey