Social Anxiety & Social Phobia
Walk into the room without the dread
If social situations leave you braced for judgement, replaying every word afterwards, or quietly avoiding the things you wish you could enjoy, you are far from alone. Social anxiety is common, and it responds remarkably well to the right help. Warm, expert support in Fareham, Hampshire, or online across the UK.
More than shyness, and entirely treatable
Social anxiety, sometimes called social phobia, is a marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations where you might be watched or judged, along with a worry that you will act in a way that feels humiliating or embarrassing.
Research suggests around one in eight people experience it at some point, yet many struggle in silence. Everyday things that others find easy, dinner parties, eating out, meetings, even phone calls, can feel like a real ordeal. The good news is that this is one of the most responsive conditions we work with.
How social anxiety can feel
It shows up in the body, the mind and the moment, and in the things we quietly start to avoid. You may recognise a few of these.
In your body
- Blushing & sweating
- Racing heart
- Shaking or a shaky voice
- Feeling sick
In your thoughts
- Fear of judgement
- Fear of rejection
- Feeling inferior
- Replaying it all afterwards
In the moment
- Panic or freezing
- Mind going blank
- Avoiding eye contact
- Stumbling over words
What you avoid
- Parties & gatherings
- Meetings & speaking up
- Eating out
- Phone calls
The spotlight is dimmer than it feels
Social anxiety convinces us that everyone is watching and judging. Tap between the two views below to see the gap that therapy gently helps you close.
Right now it can feel like a bright spotlight is on you, and that everyone is watching and judging your every move.
Look closer. Most people are wrapped up in their own thoughts and worries. The spotlight is far dimmer than anxiety makes it feel, and that gap is where our work happens.
How we help you feel at ease
There is no single right route. We match you to the approach, or blend of approaches, that fits you best.
Hypnotherapy
Reframe the self-critical beliefs beneath the fear, calm the physical symptoms, and mentally rehearse social situations going well.
Learn more →CBT
Spot and challenge the anxious thoughts, then gently and gradually face feared situations so avoidance loses its grip.
Learn more →Counselling
Understand where the fear began, work through it in a safe space, and build genuine confidence and communication skills.
Learn more →Hypno-CBT®
The structure of CBT and the calm of hypnotherapy combined, for change at both the conscious and subconscious level.
Learn more →Including the fear of public speaking
A fear of public speaking is thought to affect around three quarters of people, and it responds especially well to hypnotherapy. Imagine making a presentation feeling calm and prepared, and even, in time, enjoying it.
Book your free consultation
Imagine life on the other side of it
Picture no longer dreading the next meeting or party. No longer rehearsing every sentence or replaying it for hours afterwards. Everyday things, working, shopping, answering the phone, simply becoming ordinary again, and some of them genuinely enjoyable.
That is what this work makes possible. Not a different personality, just you, with the fear turned right down.
View our feesGetting started is simple
A gentle, supportive path, always moving at your pace.
A free consultation
We listen, understand what you find hardest, and talk through how we can help.
The right match
We pair you with the therapist and approach best suited to you.
Your sessions
We build calm and confidence, with any facing of fears taken gently and never rushed.
Lasting confidence
You step into social life feeling steadier, with tools you can keep for good.
Common questions about social anxiety
Can social anxiety really be overcome?
For many people, yes, often significantly. Social anxiety responds very well to therapy, especially a blend of approaches that calms the body, reframes anxious thoughts and gently rebuilds confidence. It is rarely as fixed as it feels.
Will I be forced to do things that scare me?
No. Any facing of feared situations is gradual, planned with you, and always at your pace. A lot of the work happens in the calm of the therapy room first, so you feel ready before you take a step.
Which therapy is best for social anxiety?
It depends on you. CBT offers practical tools and gradual exposure, hypnotherapy calms the body and reframes deeper beliefs, and counselling explores the roots. In your free consultation we will help you find the right fit.
Can you help with a fear of public speaking?
Yes. Public speaking and presentation nerves are among the most common things we help with, and they often respond quickly, particularly to hypnotherapy.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies with the person and how long the anxiety has been present. Many people notice a real shift within a few sessions. We will always be honest about what to expect.
Can it be done online?
Yes. We offer support in person in Fareham, Hampshire, and securely online across the UK. Many people find online sessions a comfortable, low-pressure place to begin.
“The room was never really watching you the way you feared. With the right support, you get to find that out for yourself.”
Book your free consultationReady to feel at ease again?
Take the first step with a free, no-pressure consultation, or simply call us. We will listen, with warmth and no judgement, and help you find a way forward.
Thank you, your message is on its way
We have received your message and you will hear back from a real person, often the same day. If it is urgent, you are always welcome to call us on 0800 970 4776.