Is Online Therapy Effective for Social Anxiety?

Research has shown that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many individuals. CBT and other talk therapies help you manage symptoms, develop effective coping strategies, and build confidence from the comfort of your home using evidence-based practices.

What is the Best Therapy for Social Anxiety?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the gold standard for treating social anxiety. It works by helping you identify and change the negative thought patterns that arise during social situations and develop strategies to manage emotions in stressful environments.

Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

Many insurance plans cover online therapy, including sessions for social anxiety. The best practice is to check with your provider, who will inform you of your insurance coverage. At Start My Wellness, we will provide a free cost estimate before starting treatment.

How Can I Control My Social Anxiety?

You can control social anxiety through coping strategies such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, and, in some cases, gradual exposure. Online therapy can teach you these techniques, guide you on when to apply them, and offer role-playing exercises to practice these skills in real time.

Can You Do Exposure Therapy Online?

Exposure therapy can be effectively conducted online. Your therapist will help you gradually face social situations in a controlled, virtual environment, building your confidence over time. Exposure therapy is effective for panic and anxiety disorders but is always discussed with you beforehand as a treatment option and will only be conducted with your consent.

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Anxiety tends to run in families, and early life experiences generally influence one’s genetic predisposition towards anxiety. Additionally, imbalances in brain chemicals can exacerbate one’s predisposition to anxiety.

Is There Medication for Social Anxiety?

Medications such as SSRIs and SNRIs (selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are effective in managing anxiety symptoms by addressing brain chemical imbalances that contribute to symptoms. Medication is most effective when used alongside therapy, where it can help with symptom management. However, medication must be prescribed by a licensed medical doctor, usually a psychiatrist (PsyD) or your general physician (MD).

What Happens if You Ignore Social Anxiety?

Ignoring social anxiety can lead to more severe symptoms and impact quality of life. If social anxiety develops into social anxiety disorder, where symptoms are persistent and pervasive, it can prevent you from completing daily tasks and may lead to other issues like depression or substance use. Online therapy offers an immediate and proactive way to manage and overcome social anxiety from anywhere.

women in social situation with a large group of friends

Social Anxiety Online Therapy

Support for Social Anxiety – When You Need It

We all get anxious before meetings or when seeing our friends, but for individuals with social anxiety, fear of judgment and rejection can significantly impact quality of life. Finding a way forward isn’t just about coping; it’s about reclaiming a sense of ease in everyday life.

Online therapy offers a constructive setting to address social anxiety with expert guidance and flexible support. With convenient access from anywhere and sessions that fit your schedule, you can start making progress today.

Start My Wellness offers online therapy sessions for social anxiety via Skype or Zoom with video or phone for Michigan residents. We believe in making mental health care accessible and empowering you to get the support you need–when you need it.

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Schedule Appointment

Why Choose Online Therapy for Social Anxiety?

Flexible Scheduling

Therapy that fits your busy life. Schedule sessions when they work best for you, knowing your therapist will always be there when you need them.

Expert Guidance

Talk with an expert who truly understands you. Online therapists are trained with evidence-based practices for treating anxiety and will tailor support to your unique needs.

Confidential and Secure

Privacy you can trust. Work with your therapist in a safe, secure, online environment where you can freely express yourself without worry.

Convenient Access

Therapy on your terms. Start your journey from anywhere with an internet or phone connection, avoiding travel and the anxiety of in-person meetings.

Schedule Appointment Online

Online Therapy for Social Anxiety: Your Path to Confidence

Social anxiety is more common than people realize, affecting about 12% of Americans at some point in their lives. It involves intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in social situations, from giving speeches to fitting into a new group of friends to knowing what to say during a workplace meeting.

While it’s normal to feel nervous in social situations, when anxiety becomes debilitating and affects quality of life, it can lead to social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety involves prolonged and intense fear that manifests as both psychological and physical symptoms. Often, it makes even the most routine social engagements feel impossible.

Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is an evidence-based approach to helping individuals with social anxiety manage their symptoms and be confident in social situations. CBT works by identifying negative thought patterns that contribute to social anxiety and developing strategies to challenge and change those thoughts.

Online therapy makes accessing these treatments more convenient while providing privacy. For CBT in particular, research has shown that it is as effective in treating anxiety disorders as in-person therapy while providing accessibility and convenience. For individuals who feel anxious about meeting in person, online therapy offers a discreet and comfortable alternative, allowing you to receive high-quality care without the added stress of leaving your home.

man talking on phone with therapist via facetime

Online Therapy Helps You Address Social Anxiety and:

ADHD & OCD

Anger

Career Choices

Codependency

Depression

Divorce

Empowerment

Grief & Loss

Life Transitions

Low Self-Esteem

Mood Disorders

Parenting Issues

Personality Disorders

Relationships

Self-Esteem

Sexual Issues

Stress

Thought Disorders

Substance Abuse

Work/Life Balance

What to Expect During Your Social Anxiety Online Therapy

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Tailored Treatment Plans

Your therapist will create a treatment plan that focuses on your social anxiety challenges and practical strategies to reduce stress and cope with symptoms. During this session, your therapist will determine long-term goals and strategies.

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Convenient and Flexible Online Sessions

We offer sessions via phone or video call through Skype or Zoom. Our goal is to make mental health care accessible and stress-free, empowering you to engage in therapy on your terms.

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Practical Tools for Social Confidence

Learn practical tools for managing social anxiety, such as mindfulness techniques, exposure therapy, and social skills training. These tools last a lifetime, benefiting you long after therapy ends.

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Continuous Feedback

Your progress is our top priority. Throughout sessions, your therapist will provide ongoing feedback and adjust your treatment plan to always move towards your goals.

Make an Appointment

To get started with Start My Wellness, schedule an appointment online or call 248-514-4955. During the scheduling process, we will ask questions to match you with the therapist who will best meet your needs including service type, emotional symptoms and availability.

Call (248) 514-4955

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Schedule Appointment Online

Does Insurance Cover Social Anxiety Online Therapy?

Many insurance plans cover Online Therapy. However, coverage largely depends on the specific insurance provider and plan. We recommend you discuss coverage for behavioral health services with your provider to ensure online therapy is eligible.

Start My Wellness accepts most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Priority Health. Additionally, we offer reimbursements by medical savings accounts, including HSAs, MSAs, FSAs, and HRAs.

At Start My Wellness, we understand that one of the most important questions when choosing therapy is, “How much will it cost?”

That’s why we’re committed to providing transparent access to cost and billing information, and offer a free cost estimate before starting therapy.

Our Social Anxiety Therapists

Read Full Bio +

Greg Waltz, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Medication Evaluation & Treatment, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing

Patient Population

Adults

Issue Focus

ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, Medication Management, OCD, Personality Disorders, Substance Abuse

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, Blue Care Network, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay, Cigna

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Read Full Bio +

Matthew Clinton, LLMSW

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing

Patient Population

Adults, Teens

Issue Focus

Academic / Career, ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Relationships

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Read Full Bio +

Yasmin Shkoukani, LLMSW

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Patient Population

Kids, Teens

Issue Focus

ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, Personal Empowerment, Relationships

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Michael Carroll, LMSW

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy

Patient Population

Adults, Teens

Issue Focus

Anxiety / Depression, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, Blue Care Network, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Read Full Bio +

Maria Samayoa, MS, TLLP

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy

Patient Population

Adults

Issue Focus

Anxiety / Depression, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Elizabeth Kjar, M.ed, LLMSW

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Related Empowerment Therapy

Patient Population

Adults, Families, Kids, Teens

Issue Focus

Academic / Career, ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Substance Abuse, Thought Disorders

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

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Sam Miners, LLMSW

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy

Patient Population

Adults, Teens

Issue Focus

ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Self-Esteem

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Jacob Chmara, MA, TLLP

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy

Patient Population

Adults, Teens

Issue Focus

ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, Life Transitions, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, Blue Care Network, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Mariena Jones, LLMSW

Therapist

Specialties

Type of Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Patient Population

Adults, Teens

Issue Focus

Academic / Career, Anxiety / Depression, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, OCD, Personality Disorders, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Substance Abuse

Insurance Accepted

Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay

Read Full Bio +

Amy Fox, DNP

Nurse Practitioner