Overcome anxiety and social phobia using Hypnotherapy, CBT and Counselling Online and In-Person in Hampshire
Effective Help for Social Anxiety and Social Phobia using Hypnotherapy & Counselling
Social Phobia, social anxiety or fear of social occasions can all cause misery for the sufferer. Scopophobia, to give it its technical name, results in the sufferer having fears of rejection or of being judged and can often result in severe symptoms of embarrassment or feelings of humiliation.
A recent report in the U.S. concluded that up to 13% of the adult population suffers from social anxiety. The D.S.M. IV (the mental health ‘bible’) lists social anxiety as: “A marked and persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he/she will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing”.
What does it feel like?
For the social phobic, enjoyable (for the rest of us) situations such as dinner parties, shopping, meeting people or eating out can become a real nightmare. Symptoms often include intense feelings of a fear of rejection, panic attacks, feelings of inferiority and worrying about how others ‘see’ you. Blushing, feeling ‘silly’, lack of confidence, stuttering or lack of eye contact are also common in social anxiety.
Help for Social Anxiety and Social Phobia using Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can be an effective method for managing social anxiety by addressing the underlying fears, self-doubt, and negative thought patterns that contribute to anxious feelings in social situations. Through deep relaxation, hypnotherapy helps clients to reframe limiting beliefs and build confidence.
Reframes Negative Self-Beliefs: Hypnotherapy works to replace self-critical thoughts with positive, empowering beliefs, reducing the fear of judgement and building a more resilient self-image for social interactions.
Reduces Physical Anxiety Symptoms: Hypnotherapy teaches relaxation techniques to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shaking, enabling clients to feel calmer and more in control.
Builds Confidence and Social Skills: Positive suggestions and visualisation exercises under hypnosis can help clients mentally rehearse successful social encounters, boosting confidence and reinforcing healthier behaviours.
By addressing the root causes and physical symptoms of social anxiety, hypnotherapy supports a more confident and relaxed approach to social situations.
Counselling for Social Anxiety and Social Phobia
Counselling is a valuable approach for managing social anxiety, helping individuals address the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that contribute to anxious feelings in social settings. By offering guidance and support, counselling empowers clients to face social situations with more confidence and resilience.
Identifies Underlying Triggers: Counselling helps to uncover the root causes of social anxiety, such as past negative experiences, fear of judgement, or self-esteem issues, providing insight into why social situations can feel overwhelming.
Develops Practical Coping Strategies: Counsellors introduce techniques like cognitive restructuring, relaxation exercises, and exposure to gradually confront fears, equipping clients with tools to manage anxiety symptoms in real-time.
Builds Confidence and Communication Skills: Through role-playing and social skills training, counselling helps clients build confidence and improve communication, allowing them to engage more comfortably in social interactions.
Overall, counselling supports individuals in transforming their approach to social situations, fostering self-assurance, and reducing anxiety.
CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Social Anxiety and Social Phobia
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective approach to managing social phobia and social anxiety by addressing the thoughts, behaviours, and emotions that reinforce these conditions. CBT helps individuals to identify and reframe the negative beliefs that lead to intense fear of social situations, like fear of judgement or rejection.
Through CBT, clients learn how to recognise and challenge any distorted thoughts that trigger anxiety, replacing them with balanced, realistic perspectives. Additionally, CBT uses exposure exercises to gradually confront feared social scenarios, reducing avoidance behaviours and helping clients feel more comfortable over time.
CBT also incorporates techniques for managing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as deep breathing and relaxation exercises, allowing clients to feel calmer and more in control. By fostering self-confidence and resilience, CBT enables individuals to build healthier responses to social interactions, ultimately reducing their anxiety and enhancing their quality of life.
How do I overcome my social phobia?
Social phobia always starts in childhood and can often get worse as the sufferer gets older.
According to American research, Social Anxiety is the third most common psychological disorder after depression and alcoholism. Yet most Social Anxiety sufferers are often unable to talk about their symptoms or find it difficult to find help.
At OLIP Therapy, you can be sure you will receive the very best most effective therapy from trusted, professional hypnotherapists who have thousands of hours of experience.
Just imagine how good you will feel when you no longer fear having to go to meetings or parties. You will no longer worry about criticism or being judged by other people and everyday experiences such as working, shopping or speaking on the telephone will be pleasurable for you!
Help to overcome a fear of public speaking in Fareham, Southampton, Portsmouth & Winchester
One of the fears we see most often is a fear of public speaking. This incredibly common fear affects around 75% of the population. This fear can be easily treated with hypnosis. Call us today and find out how we can help you to overcome this extremely common fear.
If you want to be able to speak in public without fear, make presentations with confidence and look forward to a life free from Social Anxiety, then call us today on 0800 970 477 or e-mail us at hello@oliptherapy.co.uk and make an appointment to come in and see us for a free initial consultation.
