ClaraShift
Login / Sign Up

Counselling for social anxiety

Short answer

Counselling for social anxiety helps you test the harsh guesses about what others think, drop the habits you use to hide, and face feared situations in small steps. At ClaraShift you talk with a counsellor online by video or audio from home, and you see the price before you pay. Talking therapy is one of the most effective supports for social anxiety.

Book a session

Audio from ₹2,499, video from ₹2,999 per session

Last updated 2026-10-28 · Part of anxiety & stress

You are part of the group again

How ClaraShift helps with social anxiety

You meet one counsellor, privately, by video or audio. Every person is different, but sessions for this usually focus on:

Start where it feels safe

Sessions happen from home, so you do not have to sit in a waiting room to get help. Audio is fine if camera feels like too much.

Check the harsh guesses

You notice thoughts like “they think I am boring” and compare them with what actually happens.

Drop the hiding habits

Rehearsing every line or avoiding eye contact can keep the fear going. You try small changes together.

Plan small real steps

You pick one manageable situation at a time and talk through how it went at your next session.

Counsellors who work with this

NS

Nidhi Singh

Wellness Counsellor, CBT, ACT and anxiety support

AnxietyCBTACTRelationships

Nidhi Singh brings 9+ years of experience supporting clients with anxiety, stress, relationships, and emotional wellness. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches in a warm, structured style. She holds an M.Sc. in Clinical & Counseling Psychology (Gold Medalist) and a Diploma in Community Mental Health from NIMHANS. She works in English, Hindi, and Bengali. On ClaraShift, Nidhi provides wellness and counselling-style support. She does not provide clinical assessments, diagnoses, or emergency care.

English · Hindi · Bengali

Book a sessionView profile
SC

Susan Christy

Counsellor for anxiety, relationships and family

AnxietyDepressionRelationshipsTrauma

Susan Christy has more than 20 years of hospital and university experience. She offers private online sessions for teens, adults, and couples who want support with anxiety, low mood, relationships, trauma, parenting, or family stress. Sessions can be in English, Hindi, or Gujarati. Her style is structured, with practical next steps. ClaraShift sessions are wellness support. They are not a diagnosis and not emergency care.

English · Hindi · Gujarati

Book a sessionView profile

How to deal with social anxiety: small steps you can try

  1. Pick one small situation

    Ask a shop assistant a question, or say one sentence in a meeting. Small and repeated works better than big and rare.

  2. Drop one safety habit

    Staring at your phone, rehearsing every line, or avoiding eye contact feel protective but keep the fear going.

  3. Point your attention outward

    Listen to what the other person says, rather than checking how you look. Self focus makes anxiety louder.

  4. Check the guess

    Afterwards, ask what actually happened. Research shows other people notice our mistakes and appearance far less than we expect.

  5. Limit the replay

    Going over every word later keeps the fear fresh. Give it ten minutes, then do something else.

  6. Repeat before it feels easy

    Confidence follows practice. Waiting to feel ready usually means waiting longer.

Is it social anxiety or just shyness?

Shyness is common and usually eases once you warm up. Social anxiety is stronger and lasts. It can start days or weeks before an event, affect work or study, and lead you to avoid things you care about.

What does social anxiety feel like?

Common signs include:

  • Blushing, shaking, sweating, or a mind that goes blank
  • Fear of saying the wrong thing or being laughed at
  • Dreading phone calls, meetings, or eating in front of others
  • Replaying conversations for hours afterwards
  • Avoiding parties, classes, or jobs you would otherwise want

Why does avoiding people make it worse?

Avoiding brings quick relief, so the brain learns that the situation was dangerous. Next time the fear is stronger. Small, repeated practice teaches the opposite lesson.

Can social anxiety be treated?

Yes. Health services such as the NHS recommend cognitive behavioural therapy as a main treatment, and many people improve with it. Starting with a private online session can feel easier than walking into a clinic.

When is it time to talk to someone?

  • Fear of people is stopping you from work, study, or friendships
  • You avoid calls, meetings, or events most of the time
  • You use alcohol to get through social situations
  • You feel lonely or low because of it

If you might hurt yourself, contact local emergency services now. ClaraShift is not a crisis line.

If you are in India

In India, social anxiety is often called shyness or attitude, and people are told to just talk more. Interviews, group discussions, and family functions can feel like tests. A private session helps you practise at your own pace.

Audio sessions start at ₹2,499. Video starts at ₹2,999. Exact prices are on the India pricing page before you pay. The government Tele-MANAS helpline is 14416 (Ministry of Health). ClaraShift is not that helpline.

Talk it through with a counsellor

Private wellness counselling by video or audio. Pick a therapist, choose a listed time, and see the price before you pay.

Book a sessionFind a counsellor

Common questions

Can online counselling help with social anxiety?

Yes. Online sessions can feel easier to start because you join from home, and they can still include practice for real situations. ClaraShift sessions are private and by video or audio.

Can I start with audio instead of video?

Yes. Many people start with audio and move to video when it feels manageable. That step can be part of the progress.

Will I be pushed into situations I am not ready for?

No. You agree on small steps together, at a pace you choose.

What if I feel unsafe or cannot cope?

Contact local emergency services or a crisis line now. ClaraShift is not an emergency service.

Sources

Keep reading

Scope of care depends on the therapist you book. Review credentials before booking. ClaraShift is not an emergency service. See Terms.