Breaking the Cycle of Social Anxiety

Have you ever felt paralyzed by fear before a social event, replayed a conversation over and over in your head, or avoided speaking up even when you had something valuable to say? You're not alone. These are common signs of social anxiety, a condition that affects millions of people and can severely limit quality of life. But the good news is — there is hope.

At Resolution Counseling Center in Utah, we understand how overwhelming social anxiety can be. Fortunately, therapeutic approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure Therapy have been proven to help people reclaim their lives from the grip of anxiety.

What Is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety isn’t just shyness. It’s a chronic mental health condition where everyday interactions cause intense fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment because of fear of being judged or negatively evaluated by others.

Some common symptoms include:

• Avoiding social or performance situations

• Excessive worry about saying or doing the wrong thing

• Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or nausea in social settings

• Overanalyzing interactions long after they’re over

ACT: Making Room for Discomfort Without Letting It Rule You

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people move away from avoiding their anxiety and instead learn to accept it, observe it without judgment, and still take action toward a meaningful life.

In ACT, we explore:

• Acceptance of anxious thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or avoiding them

• Cognitive defusion, or separating from unhelpful thoughts instead of fusing with them

• Values clarification, helping you identify what matters most so you can take action aligned with those values

For someone with social anxiety, that might look like:

• Attending a social event even while feeling nervous

• Speaking up in class or a meeting because your values include learning and contributing, even if your heart is racing

• Building relationships that matter to you, even though they come with the risk of awkward moments

Exposure Therapy: Facing Fears One Step at a Time

Exposure Therapy is another gold-standard treatment for social anxiety. It involves gradually and systematically facing feared social situations — not to get rid of the anxiety, but to learn that you can handle it.

This doesn’t mean jumping into your biggest fear on day one. A skilled therapist at Resolution Counseling Center will help you build a fear hierarchy, from lower-stress scenarios to more anxiety-provoking ones, and support you through the process. Over time, the fear loses its power.

Take It a Step Further: Improv for Social Anxiety

If you’re looking for a creative and supportive way to practice exposure and build confidence, consider joining the Social Anxiety Improv Group hosted by Crowdsourced Live. This unique group is specifically designed for people struggling with social anxiety.

Why improv? Because it provides:

• A safe environment to step outside your comfort zone

• Structured opportunities to practice social interaction without pressure

• A community of people who understand what you're going through

It’s not about being funny or performing — it’s about learning to be present, letting go of perfectionism, and having fun while growing.

You Don’t Have to Go Through It Alone

Social anxiety may feel isolating, but help is available. At Resolution Counseling Center, our experienced therapists offer evidence-based treatment tailored to your unique needs. Whether through ACT, exposure therapy, or other modalities, we’re here to walk alongside you on your journey toward greater confidence, connection, and peace of mind.

Ready to take the first step?

Contact us today.