CBT for Social Anxiety in Cheadle Hulme & Online
You may spend time preparing for conversations, worrying about how you came across or replaying an interaction long after it ended. Situations that other people seem to manage easily can feel demanding or exhausting.
I offer space to understand your experience and work towards goals that feel meaningful to you.
When Social Anxiety Starts to Get in the Way
You may recognise some of these experiences. Not every example will fit, and we will take time to understand what is happening for you:
- Before a social situation, you feel dread about being judged, saying the wrong thing or embarrassing yourself.
- During conversations, your attention turns inward, to how you look, whether you're blushing or what you'll say next, making it hard to listen.
- Afterwards, you replay what happened, focusing on anything that might have seemed awkward.
- You avoid things you'd like to do, such as speaking up in meetings, eating in front of others, phone calls or going to parties.
- You rely on ways of getting through, such as rehearsing sentences, keeping your head down, staying in the background or leaving early.
- For children, it may look like finding it very hard to speak in class, avoiding answering the register or clinging to a parent at parties.
- For teenagers, it may focus on group chats, being seen by peers, presentations or worrying about what others are saying.
- If you're Autistic or have ADHD, you may have had real experiences of being misunderstood, criticised or excluded. Social situations can also be tiring because of sensory demands or the effort of following unwritten rules. Not all of this is social anxiety, and it's worth understanding which parts are fear of judgement and which are about the environment, energy or past experience.
Making Sense of Social Anxiety Together
Social anxiety is more than shyness. It often centres on a fear that others will see something about you that they'll judge negatively, and that this would be unbearable or long-lasting.
In the moment, anxious thoughts can turn your attention inwards. You may notice every flush, pause or shaky word and assume others notice them too. To cope, you might rehearse, keep your head down or hold back. These strategies make sense, but they can make conversations feel harder and leave you feeling less connected. Going over things afterwards can then strengthen the belief that it went badly.
Past experiences and current circumstances matter too. Being teased, excluded or misunderstood can understandably make social situations feel risky.
For example, someone might stay quiet in a team meeting, worried their idea will sound foolish. Afterwards, they feel frustrated and replay the meeting, concluding that colleagues think they have nothing to offer.
Together, we can look at what you fear might happen, what you do to protect yourself and what you'd like to be able to do. We can then explore new ways of approaching social situations, set around your own goals rather than someone else's idea of how socialising should look.
Sessions Shaped Around You
Therapy is shaped around you. In our first session, we explore how you think, communicate and learn, what feels comfortable, and what you would like support with. Adjustments are available to everyone, whether or not you have a diagnosis.
We can vary the pace, take breaks, use visual tools or written summaries, and consider sensory needs. Between-session tasks can be broken into realistic steps. If you are Autistic or have ADHD, we also consider how your experiences, attention, energy and environment affect the work, without expecting you to fit one way of doing therapy.
For children and young people, I consider developmental needs from the beginning so that materials and the approach are suitable, and review this as we work together. Parents are an essential part of therapy for younger children, helping reinforce new ways of thinking and regulating; their involvement varies with need.
Location, Fees & Common Questions
Sessions are weekly, last 50 minutes and cost £85. We can meet in person in Cheadle Hulme or online where suitable. Payment is by bank transfer within 24 hours after your session.
Fees are reviewed annually. I hold a small number of reduced-fee places for young people or those experiencing financial hardship; please mention this when you get in touch if it applies to you.
In-person sessions are at 11 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5AF. The room is quiet, has low-level lighting and is wheelchair accessible using a lift. Parking is free for up to three hours at the ASDA next door. You are welcome to bring sensory supports.
How long will therapy take?
The length of therapy depends on your needs and goals. We agree an initial plan and review the work together, rather than giving everyone the same number of sessions.
Do I need to be ready for a large social challenge?
No. We begin by understanding what is difficult and agreeing on manageable, relevant goals together.
Do you work with younger children?
I work with young people from age six. Parents are an essential part of therapy for younger children. I generally recommend meeting in person for this age group, and we can discuss your child’s needs during the consultation.
A free 20-minute telephone or video consultation gives you space to share a little of what you are experiencing, ask questions about the process and explore your next steps.
Arrange a Free 20-Minute Consultation