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

Rosa Rino
Virtual & In-Person

Rosa Rino

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Rosa supports teens, adults & couples with relationships, anxiety, depression, identity, grief, stress, burnout & self-esteem.
Camila Schroh
Virtual & In-Person

Camila Schroh

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Camila supports teens & adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma & emotional overwhelm, plus psycho-educational assessments.
Anne Walsh
Virtual & In-Person

Anne Walsh

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Anne helps individuals 16+ navigate anxiety, trauma, and burnout with practical tools for clarity, balance, and confidence.
Ava McLinskarr
Virtual & In-Person

Ava McLinskarr

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Ava supports teens, adults & couples with trauma, relationship difficulties, stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD & ADHD.
Jennifer Berrow
Virtual & In-Person

Jennifer Berrow

Provisional Psychologist
$200 per hour
Jennifer supports children, teens & adults through anxiety, depression & ADHD with neuro-affirming, strength-based care.
Jaimee Grossklaus
Virtual & In-Person

Jaimee Grossklaus

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
aimee works with adults on anxiety, trauma (PTSD), depression, stress, low self-esteem, work concerns & brain injuries.
Emma Godin
Virtual & In-Person

Emma Godin

Provisional Psychologist
$200 per hour
Emma helps teens & adults with anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, trauma, self-harm, grief, life transitions, panic attacks & more.
Calen Jobson
Virtual & In-Person

Calen Jobson

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Calen works with individuals & athletes on anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief, self-esteem, relationships & performance issues.
Lule Begashaw
Virtual & In-Person

Lule Begashaw

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Lule supports diverse individuals through healing & growth, rooted in faith, empathy & authenticity, for connection & resilience.
Danielle Gelleny
Virtual & In-Person

Danielle Gelleny

Provisional Psychologist
$200 per hour
Danielle supports children, teens & adults with anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, trauma & more, plus assessments for ages 6-16.
Shaheena Kassam
Virtual & In-Person

Shaheena Kassam

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Shaheena offers assessments & counselling for children, families & adults on anxiety, depression, ADHD & autism (ASD).
Returning Clients Only
Alison Statham
Virtual & In-Person

Alison Statham

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Alison supports children (6+), teens & adults with anxiety, trauma, depression, OCD, ADHD, stress & relationship issues.
Returning Clients Only
Brittney Giacchetta
Virtual & In-Person

Brittney Giacchetta

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Brittney works with anxiety, borderline personality disorder, burnout, chronic pain, depression, autism, trauma & more.
Kristy Honan
Virtual & In-Person

Kristy Honan

Provisional Psychologist, MACP
$220 per hour
Kristy has 13+ years working with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, PTSD, identity crisis, body image, relationship concerns, and more.
Amanda Herbert
Virtual & In-Person

Amanda Herbert

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

Angela Regino

Occupational Therapist
$170 per hour
Angela provides assessments & counselling for adults with anxiety, depression, PTSD, personality disorders & chronic pain.
Cara Hason
Virtual Only

Cara Hason

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Cara has 10+ years helping adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, panic attacks, OCD, PTSD, relationship & perinatal issues.
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.
Vanessa de Guzman
Virtual & In-Person

Vanessa de Guzman

Provisional Psychologist
$220 per hour
Vanessa supports children (4+), youth (12+) & adults with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma & major life transitions.
Dr. Sharanpreet Kaur
Virtual Only

Dr. Sharanpreet Kaur

Registered Psychologist
$260 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 supports individuals with anxiety, depression, personal growth & trauma, plus couples & families on communication.
Megan Zmetana
Virtual & In-Person

Megan Zmetana

Occupational Therapist, MSCOT
$170 per hour
Megan, an occupational therapist, helps people return to work after illness, injury, trauma, or mental health concerns.
Ty Helfrich
Virtual & In-Person

Ty Helfrich

Provisional Psychologist
$150 per hour
Ty conducts assessments for ADHD, PTSD, personality disorders, cognitive functioning, memory, IQ & general mental health.
Cecily Wang
Virtual & In-Person

Cecily Wang

Registered Psychologist
$220 per hour
Cecily helps with anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, relationships & stress, plus assessments for ADHD, giftedness & mental health (3+).
Rameen Kargger
Virtual & In-Person

Rameen Kargger

Registered Psychologist
$350 per hour
Rameen offers assessments & counselling for couples & individuals on relationship issues, anxiety, depression, trauma & more.
Selective Clients Only
Brittin Adams
Virtual & In-Person

Brittin Adams

Occupational Therapist
$170 per hour
Brittin, an occupational therapist, supports all ages with life transitions, concussion recovery, return to work & daily living skills.
Jessica Murphy
Virtual & In-Person

Jessica Murphy

Occupational Therapist, MScOT
$170 per hour
Jessica provides cognitive assessments and rehabilitation for concussion, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and mental health challenges affecting work and daily life.

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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