Understanding Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety Counseling

Social anxiety can feel isolating, overwhelming, and exhausting. The constant worry about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected can limit opportunities and affect relationships, work performance, and self-esteem. At Grit Psychology in Edmonton, we provide evidence-based social anxiety counseling designed to help individuals build confidence, reduce avoidance, and reconnect with meaningful social experiences.

We Can Help with Your Social Anxiety

Ava McLinskarr
Virtual & In-Person

Ava McLinskarr

Provisional Psychologist
$150 per hour
Ava supports teens, adults, and couples in navigating challenges related to trauma, relationship difficulties, stress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and ADHD.
Cecily Wang
Virtual & In-Person

Cecily Wang

Registered Psychologist
$235 per hour
Cecily helps with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationships, OCD, workplace issues, stress, anger, and more. She also performs Psycho-educational, Giftedness and ADHD Assessments for adults and children (3+).
Currently not accepting PsychoEducational Assessments clients
Annemarie Rued Fraser
Virtual & In-Person

Annemarie Rued Fraser

Registered Psychologist
$235 per hour
Annemarie has 10+ years of experience helping clients overcome post-traumatic stress disorder, adverse childhood experiences, anxiety, depression, life transitions, autism, depression, stress, grief, personality disorders, domestic violence, & more.
Jaimee Grossklaus
Virtual & In-Person

Jaimee Grossklaus

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Jaimee works with adults who live with anxiety, trauma (PTSD), depression, stress, poor self-esteem and confidence, work concerns, chronic health concerns, and brain injuries.
Emma Godin
Virtual & In-Person

Emma Godin

Provisional Psychologist
$200 per hour
Emma helps teens and adults with various mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, trauma, self-harm behaviours, grief, self esteem, life transitions, panic attacks, chronic illness and more.
Calen Jobson
Virtual & In-Person

Calen Jobson

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Calen works with individuals and athletes who have concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief, low self esteem, relationship issues, performance issues, and more.
Lule Begashaw
Virtual & In-Person

Lule Begashaw

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Lule supports diverse individuals through healing and growth, drawing from both professional expertise and rich personal experience. Rooted in faith, empathy, and authenticity, she creates a safe space for connection, resilience, and transformation.
Danielle Gelleny
Virtual & In-Person

Danielle Gelleny

Mental Health Therapist
$150 per hour
Danielle has vast experience supporting teens and adults with anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, self esteem, perfectionism, trauma, sobriety, relationships, emotional regulation, stress and more.
Shaheena Kassam
Virtual & In-Person

Shaheena Kassam

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Shaheena offers assessments and counselling for children, youths, and their families, as well as adults, to help them with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other behavioural or social challenges.
Alison Statham
Virtual & In-Person

Alison Statham

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Alison works with children (6+), teens and adults with anxiety, trauma, depression, emotional regulation, social skills, OCD, stress, burnout life transitions, ADHD, panic attacks, & relationship issues.
Returning Clients Only
Joshua Woelfle
Virtual & In-Person

Joshua Woelfle

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Joshua works with adults and teenagers living with PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, stress, suicidal ideation, grief and loss, phobias, OCD, and relationship issues.
Brittney Giacchetta
Virtual & In-Person

Brittney Giacchetta

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Brittney works with individuals living with anxiety, borderline personality disorder, burnout, chronic pain, complex mental health, depression, autism, life transitions, couples issues, phobias, trauma, and stress.
Kristy Honan
Virtual & In-Person

Kristy Honan

Provisional Psychologist, MACP
$220 per hour
Kristy has over 13 years of experience in working with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, trauma and PTSD, identity and existential crisis, life transitions, low self-worth, struggles with body image, relationship concerns, and spiritual concerns.
Amanda Herbert
Virtual & In-Person

Amanda Herbert

Occupational Therapist
$170 per hour
Amanda provides assessments and counselling for depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, sensory and emotional dysregulation, and cognitive impairments.
Angela Regino
Virtual & In-Person

Angela Regino

Occupational Therapist
$170 per hour
Angela provides various professional assessments & counselling to adults with anxiety, depression, trauma (PTSD), personality disorders, chronic pain, brain injury, cognitive concerns, stress, and more.
Cara Hason
Virtual Only

Cara Hason

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Cara has over 10 years of experience in helping individuals living with anxiety, depression, trauma, panic attacks, stress, OCD, intrusive thoughts, PTSD, relationship issues, and perinatal issues.
Camila Schroh
Virtual & In-Person

Camila Schroh

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Camila works with children (6+), teens, and adults to address issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and more. Additionally, she offers psycho-educational assessments and supports parents in navigating challenges and enhancing their connection with their children.
Returning Clients Only
Alyssa Gonzalez
Virtual & In-Person

Alyssa Gonzalez

Registered Psychologist
$235 per hour
Alyssa works with children, adolescents, & adults who experience a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting, trauma, family issues, stress and more.
Theresa Breen
Virtual & In-Person

Theresa Breen

Provisional Psychologist
$200 per hour
Theresa provides therapy for teens, couples, families & individuals, using evidence-based care to address anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma and more.
Jessica Friesen
Virtual & In-Person

Jessica Friesen

Registered Psychologist
$235 (sliding scale available) per hour
Jessica works with children (6+), teens, adults, and couples on issues like anxiety, depression, life transitions, ADHD, reproductive health, and more. A former educator and published author, Jessica brings calm, compassion, and deep insight to every session.
Cassia Tayler
Virtual & In-Person

Cassia Tayler

Provisional Psychologist
$190 per hour
Cassia works with teens, adults, and couples living with anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, relationship issues, self-identity and cultural identity issues, life transitions, and more.
Vanessa de Guzman
Virtual & In-Person

Vanessa de Guzman

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Vanessa supports children (4+), youth (12+), and adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and major life transitions with compassion and cultural sensitivity. Drawing on her experience in both voluntary and court-mandated therapy, she creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can process challenges, build resilience, and move forward with confidence and clarity.
Dr. Sharanpreet Kaur
Virtual Only

Dr. Sharanpreet Kaur

Registered Psychologist
$235 per hour
Sharanpreet specializes in trauma assessment and treatment, chronic pain, workplace issues, medication management, anxiety, grief and more.
Joel Zimmerman
Virtual Only

Joel Zimmerman

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
*Direct billing Available* Joel works with individuals who need support for anxiety, depression, personal growth, and trauma (PTSD); as well as couples and families who want to improve communication, conflict management, and trust.
Megan Zmetana
Virtual & In-Person

Megan Zmetana

Occupational Therapist, MSCOT
$170 per hour
Megan specializes in supporting individuals as they return to work after an illness, injury, trauma, mental health concern and any other reason preventing them from resuming their lives.
Nicolette Bader
Virtual & In-Person

Nicolette Bader

Provisional Psychologist
$235 per hour
Nicolette supports children, teens, adults, parents and families dealing with issues like ADHD, anxiety, stress, depression, behavioural problems, parenting difficulties, grief, trauma, divorce, and questions about identity.
Stephen Walker
Virtual & In-Person

Stephen Walker

Reg. Clinical Social Worker
$200 per hour
With 10+ years of experience, Stephen works with individuals and couples (12+) dealing with anxiety, depression, anger, trauma (PTSD), family violence, addictions, grief/loss, couples concerns and more.
Ty Helfrich
Virtual & In-Person

Ty Helfrich

Provisional Psychologist
$150 per hour
Ty conducts assessments for a range of concerns, including ADHD, PTSD, personality disorders, cognitive functioning, memory and IQ, as well as general mental health.
Rameen Kargger
Virtual & In-Person

Rameen Kargger

Registered Psychologist
$350 per hour
Rameen offers assessments and counselling for couples and individuals with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, phobias, OCD, and much more.
Selective Clients Only

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder is more than occasional nervousness. It is a persistent fear of social or performance situations where someone may feel scrutinized or negatively evaluated. While many people experience mild social discomfort, social anxiety becomes problematic when fear leads to avoidance and interferes with daily functioning.


Common situations that trigger social anxiety include:

  • Public speaking or presentations

  • Meeting new people

  • Workplace meetings or performance reviews

  • Dating or social gatherings

  • Eating or speaking in public

  • Being observed while completing tasks

~7 of People

experience social anxiety disorder in any given year

Onset in Teens

but can develop at any age with the right triggers

Treatable

with CBT, EMDR, and evidence-based strategies

Over 75%

of people significantly with the right treatment and support

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Symptoms of social anxiety can appear physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Physical signs include sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, nausea, or difficulty speaking in social situations. Emotionally, individuals may experience persistent worry, feelings of inadequacy, fear of embarrassment, and self-doubt. Behaviorally, avoidance of social events, withdrawing from public interaction, or excessive preparation for social situations are common.

How Therapy Helps with Social Anxiety

Professional counseling offers structured support to overcome social anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective and focuses on identifying negative thought patterns, challenging unhelpful beliefs, and gradually facing feared social situations. Therapists provide practical tools for building confidence, improving communication, and reducing avoidance behaviors. Occupational therapy and life skills coaching may further help clients navigate social environments successfully.

Take the First Step Toward Overcoming Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is highly treatable, and with the right support, individuals can transform fear into confidence. Seeking counselling is the first step toward managing symptoms, building self-esteem, and improving social engagement. Our team at Grit Psychology provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy designed to help clients thrive in social settings and enjoy a fuller, more connected life.

Get Matched To The Right Therapist

Not sure who can help you? You can either fill out the form to be matched to a therapist that specializes in your unique situation or give us a call at (403) 588-7639.

Get Started
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