Social Anxiety Psychologist | Melbourne & Telehealth
Psychological Support for Social Anxiety
Social anxiety involves more than being quiet or introverted. It can create intense fear of being
judged, embarrassed, rejected or exposed in conversations, groups, work, study, dating or
performance situations. Many people cope by avoiding, rehearsing, monitoring themselves closely or replaying interactions afterward. Therapy can help reduce these cycles and build confidence through practical, gradual change.
Registered psychologist
Evidence-informed and practical
Selected Melbourne locations
Telehealth Australia-wide where suitable
Self-referral welcome; referral and rebate options available
Does this sound familiar?
The difficulty is usually not a lack of social knowledge. It is the threat attached to how the person believes they will be seen.
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Avoiding speaking, meetings, classes, events, phone calls, eating in public or meeting new people.
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Rehearsing sentences, overpreparing or trying to appear perfectly composed.
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Blushing, shaking, sweating, going blank or feeling visibly anxious.
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Monitoring facial expression, voice, posture or every word during interaction.
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Replaying conversations afterward and focusing on perceived mistakes.
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Using alcohol, a phone, a support person or silence to get through situations.
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Missed relationships, study, work or leadership opportunities because of fear of judgement.
How therapy may help
Therapy aims to change the cycle of threat, self-focus and avoidance rather than turning the person into an extrovert.
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Understand the predictions and safety behaviours maintaining social fear.
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Shift attention outward and respond differently to self-consciousness.
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Test feared predictions through gradual, collaborative behavioural experiments.
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Reduce post-event rumination and harsh self-evaluation.
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Build assertiveness, communication or performance skills where genuinely needed.
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Work with overlapping panic, depression, autism, ADHD, trauma or bullying experiences.
What sessions may involve
Treatment may draw on CBT, exposure-based practice, ACT, attention training, self-compassion and communication skills. Goals should be specific and meaningful, such as contributing in meetings, attending events, dating, speaking to colleagues or reconnecting with friends.
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Clarifying the feared situations, predictions, safety behaviours and costs of avoidance.
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Creating a graded plan linked to the person’s real-life goals.
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Practising new attention and response patterns in and between sessions.
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Reviewing learning rather than rating each attempt as success or failure.
How getting started usually works
1. Send a short enquiry or book a psychology session. The current concern is preselected in the form.
2. The practice checks age group, service fit, Melbourne or telehealth preference, availability and referral or funding pathway.
3. The first appointment clarifies the concern, history, functioning, goals, strengths and any safety or medical factors.
4. You and the psychologist agree on a plan, review progress and adjust the work as needed.
Social anxiety should not be confused with personality, culture or neurodivergence
A person can be introverted, culturally reserved, autistic, shy or simply prefer smaller groups without having a disorder. Assessment considers distress, avoidance, functional impact and the person’s own goals. Exposure should never be used to force conformity or erase authentic communication differences.
Related support
Concerns often overlap. These pages may also help you identify the most suitable starting point:
Tell us what is affecting everyday life
The form should preselect “Social anxiety”. Tell us briefly what you would like help with, who the appointment is for and whether you prefer Melbourne or telehealth. You can select more than one concern or choose “Not sure”.
This form is not monitored continuously and is not for urgent or crisis support. If there is immediate danger, call 000. Lifeline is available on 13 11 14. For family or sexual violence support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732.
FAQs
Is social anxiety the same as shyness?
Not always. Shyness may be a temperament. Social anxiety becomes clinically significant when fear and avoidance cause substantial distress or restrict important areas of life.
Will therapy make me do embarrassing things?
No. Behavioural practice should have a clear rationale, be collaborative and progress from manageable steps. The goal is learning, not humiliation.
Can social anxiety affect work or study?
Yes. It may affect meetings, presentations, asking questions, networking, interviews, group work or seeking help. Therapy can target the situations most relevant to your role.
Can therapy help if I am autistic or have ADHD?
Yes, but the formulation should distinguish anxiety from sensory, communication, executive or masking demands. Support should be neurodiversity-affirming rather than based on forcing typical social behaviour.
Is telehealth suitable for social anxiety?
It can be a useful starting point, but treatment often includes planned real-world practice. The psychologist will discuss how to balance accessibility with the need to work on avoided situations.