Social Anxiety Support Group
for Teens
Social anxiety is an emotional, isolating experience.
If you…
…enter into conversations feeling uneasy and unsure
…get overwhelmed and freeze up, then leave beating yourself up for not connecting better
…regularly worry about what other people think about you
…feel like everyone is watching you
…want to feel sure, but you doubt yourself.
Social anxiety in the teen years often feels like:
excessive worry about what others think of you
difficulty connecting with friends
low self-esteem
anxiety around other people
difficulty speaking up in class
This group focuses on:Increasing familiarity with what increases each member’s experience of anxiety
Boosting self-confidence through identity work
Noticing physical symptoms of anxiety and how to handle them
Understanding and exploring anxious thoughts
Social anxiety can be treated through a variety of means, and no single option is the perfect fit for everyone. However, there does seem to be a unique beauty specifically in working on social anxiety in a group therapy setting.
Groups are designed to be very intentional. Group goals and norms are established collaboratively at the beginning, encouraging safety and openness for all members. Since this group is focused on social anxiety, there is safety in the shared experience. Groups provide a unique opportunity to process and correct anxious experiences as they occur within the group. Group feedback can be an incredible tool for those struggling with social anxiety.
Is group therapy the right choice?
Meet the Clinician
As a clinician, I focus on relational health as one of the key components to mental wellbeing. I believe we were made to be connected and in community with others, but that it isn’t always easy to do so. I feel strongly about relationships because of my beliefs about their importance and my own historical experiences of social anxiety and relational disconnect.
Groups are a unique experience to therapy. Each session will include a bit of education, but much of the time is dedicated to group discussion. While I will participate in these discussions, my role in the group is facilitative and guiding, rather than directive and instructive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email!
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This group meets in person in my office in downtown Salem.
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A minimum of two members are required to establish a group, and groups are generally capped at ten members.
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Each group is six weeks long, with each session lasting about 50 minutes.
Groups typically follow a predetermined schedule for meetings, but some groups elect to continue meeting beyond the predetermined time frame. This happens on a case-by-case basis. If you find that you are loving your group and wish to keep meeting, please mention this in one of the group sessions to see if others share in your desires!
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One of the benefits of group work is that it is generally more cost effective than individual therapy. The total cost for a 6-week therapy group is $300/person, due up front.
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The next group(s) will begin right at the beginning of summer, and a second group will begin mid-summer. Groups usually meet on Thursdays, but times have not yet been determined.
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Currently, this group is designed for teens (ages 13-18).
Please let me know if you’re outside this age range and interested in joining - I’m often looking at getting new groups started and may be able to put you on a list if I cannot make accomodations.
How do I get started?
If you’re feeling ready to sign up, go ahead and fill out the form to get on the list!
After I receive the form from you, I’ll follow up with you via email to arrange a brief phone call so we can connect and be sure this is the right group for you.