Social Anxiety in Everyday Life
Social anxiety can affect many areas of everyday life. It may become noticeable when meeting new people, attending social events, speaking in groups, dating, networking, participating in work meetings or simply making conversation.
For some people, social anxiety involves fear of being judged, criticised or negatively evaluated by others. It may also involve self-consciousness, anxious thoughts, physical symptoms, blushing, avoiding particular situations or repeatedly analysing conversations and interactions afterwards.
Over time, these difficulties may begin to affect relationships, work, confidence or willingness to participate in situations that involve social interaction or attention from other people.
My approach combines Solution Focused Therapy, clinical hypnotherapy, coaching and evidence-informed psychological approaches according to the individual and the particular situations they are experiencing.
“I feel relaxed and more confident and I don’t experience the periods of high stress that I used to. I’ve learnt techniques for managing and conquering my fears, a permanent lifestyle change and not a temporary quick fix. Thanks to Annette, I have my anxiety under control for the first time.”
How Social Anxiety Can Present
People experience social anxiety in different ways. You may notice:
- Fear of being judged or negatively evaluated
- Anxiety when meeting new people
- Self-consciousness in conversations or groups
- Worry about saying or doing the wrong thing
- Blushing or concern about visible signs of anxiety
- Physical symptoms when attention is directed towards you
- Anxiety around meetings, networking or professional events
- Difficulty speaking when feeling observed
- Replaying conversations or interactions afterwards
- Avoiding situations because of anticipated anxiety or discomfort
For some people, social anxiety occurs across many different situations. For others, it becomes particularly noticeable in specific circumstances such as work, dating, public speaking, meeting unfamiliar people or becoming the centre of attention.
Working With Social Anxiety
My work considers the thoughts, physical responses and patterns of behaviour associated with social anxiety, alongside the situations in which anxiety or self-consciousness becomes particularly noticeable.
Using Solution Focused Therapy alongside clinical hypnotherapy, coaching and other evidence-informed psychological approaches, we may explore fear of judgement, anticipatory anxiety, self-consciousness, overthinking, avoidance and patterns of thinking associated with social situations.
Depending on your individual circumstances, sessions may incorporate therapeutic discussion, clinical hypnosis, guided relaxation, cognitive reframing, creative visualisation and practical strategies relevant to the situations you are experiencing.
Where appropriate, we may also explore gradual and manageable ways of approaching situations that have previously felt difficult or uncomfortable.
Who I Work With
I work with adults experiencing social anxiety across different areas of their personal, social and professional lives.
Clients come from a wide range of backgrounds, including professionals, healthcare workers, teachers, lecturers, lawyers, broadcasters, musicians, actors and university students.
Some seek support because social anxiety affects meetings, networking events, presentations or other professional situations. For others, the difficulty may be associated with meeting new people, dating, attending social occasions, spending time in groups or feeling particularly self-conscious when attention is directed towards them.
Where fear of blushing is the principal concern, you can also read about my work with Fear of Blushing.
A Personalised Approach
No two people experience social anxiety in exactly the same way.
Some people are particularly concerned about physical symptoms or blushing. Others experience persistent self-doubt, fear of criticism, perfectionism, anticipatory anxiety or a tendency to replay conversations after they have happened.
With over fourteen years’ clinical experience, I tailor therapy to the individual, their circumstances and the particular situations in which social anxiety occurs.
Sessions are available in person at my Bristol practices in Clifton and Queen Square, as well as online throughout the UK.
The Next Step
If social anxiety is affecting your confidence, relationships, work or everyday life, you are welcome to get in touch to explore whether my approach may be helpful.
Please contact hello@annettesloly.com to arrange an initial consultation.
Explore further
Areas of Work
Anxiety
Anxiety becomes a problem when it starts affecting daily life. Hypnotherapy can enhance confidence and self-assurance while lessening intense fear and worry. Together, we develop practical skills to manage difficult situations, feel more at ease and redirect attention towards helpful possibilities.
Confidence
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help strengthen self-confidence through constructive, goal-oriented work. We develop strategies that foster self-acceptance, transform unhelpful beliefs and help you approach everyday and high-pressure situations with greater trust in your abilities.
Fear of Blushing
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help manage blushing by addressing the anxiety and emotional sensitivity that often trigger it. Reframing negative thoughts, developing healthier coping responses and building confidence can help you feel more at ease and less judged in social situations.
Workplace Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety in meetings, interviews and professional conversations by strengthening confidence and reducing fear and worry. Learning to regulate emotions and manage post-event rumination can help you focus, perform effectively and approach workplace situations with greater ease.
Public Speaking Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help alleviate fear of public speaking, whether you are preparing for a speech, pitch, presentation or talk. A tailored blend of psychological and physiological tools can help you manage nerves, feel more in control and communicate with greater confidence.
Exam Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help alleviate exam anxiety by teaching you how to evoke calm, improve concentration and strengthen confidence. Tailored stress-management, visualisation and empowerment strategies can help you approach examinations and assessments with a clearer, more focused mind.
Stage Fright
When nerves overshadow rehearsals, auditions or performances, hypnotherapy can help strengthen calm confidence while reducing fear and self-doubt. Together, we build mental and physical skills that help you stay grounded, remain present and perform with greater freedom.
Fear of Flying
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help change unhelpful perceptions of flying and replace anxiety with greater confidence. Positive self-talk, breathing techniques and guided imagery can help regulate the nervous system before and during a flight, making travel feel more manageable.
Stress
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you feel more empowered and in control when managing stress. Personalised techniques support a more helpful mindset, improve resilience and help the nervous system function more effectively, building skills you can continue to use through future challenges.
