How To Find a Therapist for Social Anxiety in Toronto
Many of us have experienced some degree of nervousness when it comes to our social interactions. We’ve replayed awkward conversations with friends in our heads. We’ve ruminated on the embarrassing moment when we spilled on our shirt in a busy coffee line.
Oftentimes, we’re able to let go of these situations once some time has passed (and sometimes even find the humour in them.)
But when your fear of embarrassing yourself in public makes you scared to leave the house, or your nervousness that other people will judge you stops you from wanting to see them at all, you may be experiencing social anxiety.
Here at KMA, we understand that the symptoms of social anxiety can be the biggest obstacle to reaching out for help – even when you want it.
We’ve condensed our 14 years of experience supporting clients with anxiety into five simple steps to help you be confident in your ability to find the best therapist for you.
After reading this article, you’ll understand how to identify your social anxiety, the different types of therapists and therapies in Toronto, how to reach out to a therapist, and what to expect in your first therapy session.
1. Identify Your Social Anxiety Symptoms
Social anxiety can often be overlooked as “just being shy.” And while shyness can be a symptom of social anxiety, the two are not mutually exclusive.
In fact, people with social anxiety can be extroverted and enjoy being the centre of attention once they’re able to move through their anxiety.
Common signs of Social Anxiety include:
- Experience fear when meeting new people
- Worry about embarrassing themselves in public
- Avoid doing new things or speaking to new people
- Feel intense anxiety when anticipating activities that make them uncomfortable
- Worry that other people will notice their physical symptoms, such as blushing or shaking
If the above experiences are familiar to you, it may be time to seek support for social anxiety. Your next step will be to explore what this support might look like.
2. Explore Types of Therapy for Social Anxiety
Different types of therapy can help with social anxiety. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which can help you understand and challenge negative automatic thoughts that you may have. It can help you to gain more control over your feelings and feel more confident when facing new situations.
- Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, which can help you build up to facing the situations that cause you the most fear. It can help you to feel more comfortable in anxiety-provoking situations, and develop new skills to cope with them.
You might also benefit from attending a group for social anxiety to meet other people experiencing the same thing you are.
Whether you want to attend individual or group sessions (or both), your next step will be finding a therapist to support you on this journey.
3. Explore Types of Therapists for Social Anxiety
There are several types of therapists that can help you with social anxiety.
In Ontario, the word “therapist” is an umbrella term that covers a variety of different mental health professionals.
You may want to speak to a:
- Psychotherapist
- Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
Exploring the different types of therapists and choosing which type best fits your needs can help you narrow down your search for a therapist for social anxiety in Toronto.
Once you have an idea of what type of therapist you want to connect with, the next step is to choose a therapist or therapy office.
4. Reach Out To a Therapist
There are lots of ways to get a “feel” for a therapist before you reach out to them.
Reading through therapists’ biographies online, exploring any blog posts they’ve written, and learning about what treatment methods they use can help you create a list of therapists to reach out to.
Making the first contact with a therapist can feel intimidating, especially if you’re connecting through a phone call. Fortunately, a lot of therapy offices have a brief online registration form or email address that you can use instead.
Regardless of which way you decide to reach out, having a list of questions to ask can help ease the anxiety of the inquiry process.
Here are 6 questions to ask a social anxiety therapist:
- What is their cost per session, and will they take your insurance?
- Do they believe they can help you with the issues you’re facing?
- What is their experience supporting people with social anxiety?
- How long do they expect your therapy process to take?
- How should you prepare for your first session?
- Do they offer virtual/in-person sessions?
These questions are great to ask while inquiring about a potential match, but you’ll want to ask more detailed questions for your first session.
5. Know What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session
Knowing what to expect during your first therapy session can help you to feel more confident when beginning the therapy process.
It can be helpful to ask potential therapists what your first session will look like, and how you can prepare yourself for it.
At KMA, our introductory sessions are designed to help you find the best therapist for you.
During your introductory session, we’ll:
1. Inform you about consent in the therapy process
2. Gather information about your experiences
3. Give you time to ask questions
4. Establish a plan of action
After your introductory session, you’ll have a clear understanding of how the therapy process will look, and a strategy to accomplish your goals in therapy.
Next Steps for Finding a Therapist for Social Anxiety in Toronto
After reading this article, you now have an understanding of the five simple steps you need to find a great therapist for social anxiety in Toronto.
Reaching out for support with social anxiety can be especially daunting, but you don’t have to do this on your own.
Here at KMA, we are experts at helping you find the best therapist for you. The information and questions outlined in this article will help you find a therapist that fits your needs.
If you think KMA could be the best fit for you, complete our registration form to schedule your introductory appointment.
If you’re not yet ready to meet with a therapist, consult these resources for more information:
- If you think online therapy could be a great choice for you, read: How to Find an Online Therapist in Toronto
- If you’re considering a therapy app, read: In-Person Therapy vs. Therapy App: Which is Right for Me?
- If you’re interested in meeting with a psychologist, read: How to Find a Psychologist in Toronto
