Top-Rated Social Anxiety Therapists in Chicago & Cleveland

While social anxiety can be managed well, it can be difficult to “cure” by yourself. Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety is an effective treatment because it allows you to identify the root cause of your symptoms with the guidance of a therapist. By examining past experiences or challenging irrational thoughts, you can gain a deeper understanding of why you are feeling anxious. 

In other words, dealing with social anxiety with therapy creates space for you to work on your symptoms of social anxiety that can be managed without medication – if that is your preference.

Avoidant behaviors can exacerbate your social anxiety symptoms. When we choose to ignore our emotional and behavioral symptoms, our mental health declines. Avoidance prevents you from confronting and desensitizing yourself to the feared situation. Over time, the anxiety associated with social interactions can grow stronger, and you may find yourself avoiding more and more situations, leading to increased isolation and fear.

Negative thought patterns can also intensify your anxiety. Having an inner dialogue, such as, I'm not good enough or They'll think I'm a loser creates a cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy and self-criticism. Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety helps prevent us from getting stuck in these thought patterns.

Social anxiety therapy can help you identify your own triggers and discover coping strategies that work best for you. Managing your symptoms can feel overwhelming to do alone, and working with social anxiety therapists in the Chicago and Cleveland areas can help guide you through the process.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety: CBT is one of the most widely used and evidence-based treatments for social anxiety. It helps people identify and challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, realistic thoughts. Our SGTG therapists are highly experienced in using cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety and other anxiety disorders. This can be especially helpful in managing panic attacks or fears around social events.

• Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy is an evidence-based treatment option for social anxiety. It involves gradually exposing people to social situations they fear, starting with less anxiety-provoking scenarios and working up to more challenging ones. Our clinicians place an emphasis on identifying the physical symptoms you experience at each level of anxiety so that you can develop effective coping strategies to manage and reduce those symptoms.

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR combines mindfulness meditation and awareness practices to reduce stress and anxiety. It focuses on observing your anxiety without judgment, helping you become less reactive to anxious thoughts or physical sensations. The SGTG team can aid you in deep breathing or relaxing any muscle tension to promote a sense of calm.

A psychologist usually has a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and is trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Psychologists often conduct psychological testing, like personality or intelligence assessments, and provide therapy to treat more complex mental health issues. A typical therapist has a master's degree and provides therapeutic support for people with mental health concerns. Their focus is more on counseling and helping with day-to-day emotional challenges rather than assessment.

Both psychologists and therapists provide valuable mental health support, but you may want to consider the approach, specialization, treatment style, and accessibility of either resource. Ensure that you research the professional's approach or method to see if it aligns with your needs. 

If you are looking for formal diagnoses, testing, or evaluation for social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, specific phobia disorders, or other related disorders, a psychologist is the professional you might want to work with.

Many insurance providers will cover cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety. Our social anxiety clinicians in Chicago are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Choice Plans, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.

Our social anxiety providers in Cleveland are in-network with Medical Mutual and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO.

Whether you’re located in the Chicago or Cleveland areas, we’d be happy to help you verify your benefits before starting treatment. However, we do recommend you call the number on the back of your insurance card for the most accurate information.