Social Anxiety & Social Phobia
Social anxiety therapy in Fareham, Hampshire, and online
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.
Helping people since 2003 · 396 five-star Google reviews · In person & online
More than shyness, and entirely treatable
Social anxiety, also called social phobia, is a 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.
Estimates vary, but it is among the most common anxiety conditions, and a great many people live with it 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 difficulties 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 one of the most commonly reported fears there is, 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.
How much does social anxiety therapy cost?
Your initial consultation is always free, with no obligation to book anything afterwards.
Initial 15 minute consultation
Per 50 minute session
Six-session programme, saving £36
Counselling is £72 per session. All prices include VAT, and full details are on our fees page.
Looking for social anxiety help near you?
Our practice is in Fareham, within easy reach of most of south Hampshire. Online sessions are also available, and many people find them an easier place to start.
Fareham
Arena Office, Lancaster Court, 8 Barnes Wallis Road, PO15 5TU, with free parking outside.
Southampton & Portsmouth
Both around 15 to 20 minutes along the M27.
Winchester & Basingstoke
Straightforward down the M3, with clients travelling in regularly.
Online, UK-wide
Secure video sessions, seven days a week.
Clients also travel from Gosport, Whiteley, Havant and Chichester.
Common questions about social anxiety
Is social anxiety the same as social phobia?
Yes. Social phobia is the older term and social anxiety disorder is the one used clinically now. They describe the same thing, so whichever term you searched for, you are in the right place.
What is the difference between social anxiety and shyness?
Shyness is a temperament. It might make you quieter at a party, but it does not usually stop you going. Social anxiety involves real distress and avoidance, and it shapes decisions: the job not applied for, the invitation declined, the phone left to ring. That difference is what makes it worth treating.
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.
How much does it cost?
The initial consultation is free. Sessions are £90 for 50 minutes, or £504 for a six-session programme. Counselling is £72 per session. All prices include VAT.
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.
Send us a message
A real person will read it and reply, often the same day.
Thank you, your message is on its way
You will hear back from a real person, often the same day. If it is urgent, call us on 0800 970 4776.