Fareham Counselling Centre · Hampshire
Counselling & CBT for Social Anxiety & Shyness Hampshire
Practical support to feel steadier with other people — in Fareham or online across the UK.
When other people feel like an audience
Social anxiety is more than being shy. It is the feeling that you are being watched and judged, that you will say the wrong thing, go red, or run out of words. So you rehearse, you avoid, and afterwards you replay every moment looking for what you got wrong.
It is exhausting, and it can quietly shrink your life. CBT, hypnotherapy and counselling for social anxiety in Fareham, or online, help you turn the spotlight off yourself, build real confidence and take part again without the dread.
What social anxiety can look like
Clients from Fareham, Portsmouth, Southampton and Gosport often recognise several of these.
Shyness and social anxiety are not the same. Shyness passes once you warm up. Social anxiety sticks around, and starts deciding what you do and do not do.
Where is your spotlight pointing?
Social anxiety turns your attention inwards, so you monitor yourself instead of the conversation. That makes everything harder. This is one of the first things CBT works on. Try shifting the spotlight and see what changes.
Watching yourself
Other people are mostly thinking about themselves, not about you. Practising this shift, with a therapist, is one of the quickest ways to feel easier around others.
The social anxiety circle
Social anxiety keeps itself going through a loop that is easy to spot once you know it.
Dread beforehand
You picture it going badly, days or weeks in advance.
Watching yourself
In the moment, your attention turns inwards, so you miss what is actually happening.
Safety behaviours
Staying quiet, gripping your glass, avoiding eye contact, leaving early.
The post-mortem
Afterwards you replay it, remember only the awkward bits, and dread the next one more.
Safety behaviours feel helpful, but they stop you finding out that it would have been fine anyway. Therapy helps you test that out, gently.
How therapy helps with social anxiety
Nobody will make you do anything you are not ready for. You set the pace.
Understand the loop
See how dread, self-focus and safety behaviours keep the anxiety going.
Turn the spotlight out
Practise shifting your attention to the room and the person in front of you.
Test it out
Try small experiments in real life, starting with situations you feel ready for.
Build confidence
Let go of the post-mortem, be kinder to yourself, and take part in more of life.
Social anxiety treatment in Fareham
On your free call we will help you choose the right approach, and the right therapist for you.
CBT
The treatment NICE recommends first for social anxiety. Practical, structured and very effective.
About CBT
Hypnotherapy
Deep relaxation to ease blushing, shaking and physical tension, and build calm confidence.
About hypnotherapy
Counselling
Space to explore where the fear of judgement began, and to rebuild self-worth.
About counselling
Teens and children
Social anxiety often starts young. Gentle support for ages 7 to 17, school worries included.
Children and young peopleYou may also find our pages on anxiety, confidence and self-esteem, panic attacks and fears and phobias helpful.
★★★★★“To be able to feel comfortable to talk openly and honestly without any fear of feeling judged is a massive help, and has had a huge impact on how I feel about myself.”
Questions about social anxiety
What is the difference between shyness and social anxiety?
What is the best treatment for social anxiety?
Will I have to do things that terrify me?
I find talking to people hard. Can I do therapy online?
Can hypnotherapy help with blushing or shaking?
My teenager avoids school and social events. Can you help?
How much does it cost, and how many sessions will I need?
The first conversation is the hardest
A free, confidential 15 minute call, with no pressure at all. You can email us instead if that feels easier.