At Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing, our psychologists in Hobart help people move from avoidance to confidence, one step at a time. Our psychologists are also available via telehealth across Australia. Please contact us for more information.
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You have been invited to a work event. Your stomach drops. You start planning your exit before you have even arrived. You rehearse what you will say, worry about what they will think, and wonder if anyone will notice you are uncomfortable.
Or maybe it is smaller than that.
A phone call you cannot make. A meeting where you sit silently while your heart races. A birthday dinner where you spend more time in the bathroom than at the table.
Social anxiety is not shyness. It is a persistent, intense fear of being judged,embarrassed, or negatively evaluated by others.
The ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2020–2022) found that Social Phobia is one of the most common anxiety disorders in Australia [1]. Beyond Blue notes that social anxiety often begins in adolescence and can significantly limit relationships, education, and career opportunities if left untreated [2].
Social anxiety involves intense worry about how you are perceived. The fear is not just about being nervous. It is a deep belief that you will do something wrong, say something foolish, or be seen as incompetent.
Social anxiety might show up as:
Adults with social anxiety may appear confident in some areas of life but experience significant distress in social, professional, or performance situations.
You might notice:
At Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing, we use a range of individual therapy techniques to help adults build confidence, reduce self-focused attention, and develop more flexible responses in social situations.
Children and adolescents with social anxiety may appear quiet, withdrawn, or reluctant to engage. Their anxiety is often misinterpreted as disinterest.
Families and educators may notice:
At Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing, we support young people to understand social anxiety, develop social confidence, and build coping skills in a supportive way.
Our approach is practical, evidence-informed, and collaborative. Support may include:
We help you recognise how social anxiety operates and what maintains it.
We support you to shift attention outward and engage more fully in social situations.
We support you to face social situations in a paced, supportive way. The Australian Psychological Society recognises exposure-based CBT as a first-line treatment for social anxiety [3].
Our team teach strategies to manage physical anxiety symptoms and emotional distress.
Your first session is about understanding. We listen to what is happening for you, how things show up in your day, and what you hope to change. Together we create a plan that feels clear, supportive, and manageable.
Therapy at Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing moves at a pace that feels safe while still supporting steady progress. You remain in control of the process.
Sessions with our psychologists are available face-to-face at our Battery Point rooms in Hobart, Tasmania, and via telehealth for clients anywhere in Australia. Our psychologists are experienced in working with Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans, DVA, NDIS (self-managed and plan-managed), WorkCover, Open Arms, National Redress Scheme, and private health insurance.
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics (2023). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022.https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release
[2] Beyond Blue (2024). Social anxiety. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety/types-of-anxiety/social-anxiety
[3] Australian Psychological Society (2018). Evidence-based Psychological Interventions. https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/evidence-based-psychological-interventions
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