Social anxiety therapy in Vaughan
If everyday moments like speaking up, meeting people or just being seen fill you with dread, you are not simply shy and you are not stuck this way. Social anxiety is common and very treatable. You can feel at ease in rooms that used to feel like exams.
Takes 2 minutes. No credit card. No referral needed.
Psychotherapists
supervision
exposure
20 minutes
Clinically reviewed by Svetlana Antonyshyn, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #001652). Last reviewed June 2026.
Social anxiety is a fear of being judged, not a flaw
Social anxiety is when the mind over-predicts judgment and danger in social situations. Your heart races, you blush or blank, and you become painfully aware of yourself, certain everyone is noticing and judging. So you avoid, and avoiding feels safer, but it quietly makes your world smaller.
Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) describes social anxiety as one of the most common anxiety concerns, and notes that anxiety disorders are treatable. The goal is not to become a different person, but to quiet the false alarm so you can show up as yourself.
Working with a therapist, you learn to catch and test the anxious predictions, face avoided situations in small, manageable steps, and build genuine ease. Many people are surprised how much lighter ordinary moments become.
Social anxiety therapy is evidence-based talk therapy, usually CBT with gradual exposure, that helps you challenge the fear of judgment, face avoided situations step by step, and feel at ease being seen. Most people meet weekly, and many notice a shift within the first couple of months.
Meet therapists who work with social anxiety
Every therapist below is a Registered Psychotherapist who helps people feel more at ease socially. Watch a short intro, read their profile, or let us match you in your free consultation.
Not sure who fits? Browse all 24+ therapists or let us match you. You can switch anytime, and your file moves with you.
Turn down the spotlight, in 30 seconds
Social anxiety runs on the feeling that everyone is watching and judging. They are not, nearly as much as it feels. This is a taste of the reframing you would practice in sessions. Pick a thought that sounds familiar.
“Everyone saw me stumble over my words. They think I am an idiot.”
Mind-reading and the spotlight effect
It feels like all eyes are on you, but people are far more focused on themselves than on you. The spotlight is mostly in your own head.
If a friend stumbled over a word, would you even remember it an hour later?
“Most people barely noticed, and those who did have forgotten already. One clumsy moment is not who I am.”
In sessions you practice this with your own situations, then test it in real life, gently. Try it with a therapist, free for 20 minutes.
Where social anxiety shows up
Social anxiety can be loud or quiet, in one area of life or many. Whatever shape yours takes, it can ease.
Social anxiety is common, and support works
You are far from alone, and social anxiety is something therapy is well suited to help with.
What your first session actually looks like
Booking a session about social anxiety can feel like the most social thing of all. Your first appointment is a 70-minute initial assessment, and here is exactly how that time tends to go, so nothing is a mystery.
Settling in
No pressure to perform. Your therapist welcomes you, explains confidentiality in plain language, and lets you set the pace. You share only what you want to.
Mapping your social anxiety
Together you look at which situations are hardest, the thoughts and physical symptoms that show up, and what you have been avoiding.
Your first reframe
Using a real example from your week, you try the kind of reframing in the demo above, and sketch a gentle ladder of situations to build toward.
Leaving with a plan
You agree on what you are working toward and one small, doable step to try before next week, never more than you feel ready for.
Evidence-based, and gentler than you fear
The Canadian Psychological Association describes cognitive behaviour therapy, including gradual exposure, as the gold-standard psychological treatment for social anxiety disorder, and your therapist tailors it to you and your pace. Sessions are structured and predictable: you build skills first, then practice them in small, planned steps you control.
InnerSight was founded by Svetlana Antonyshyn, RP, on the belief that healing should treat the person, not a label. More about our approach.
What social anxiety therapy costs in Vaughan
No hidden fees and no pressure. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of psychotherapy fees, and we bill Sun Life, SSQ and Green Shield directly.
Meet a therapist, ask anything, and see if it feels right. No credit card and no obligation.
Most private insurance plans cover a portion of services from a Registered Psychotherapist. We bill Sun Life, SSQ and Green Shield directly, and provide receipts for other claims. Your first full appointment is a 70-minute initial assessment at $245.
Sessions with supervised therapists in training, at a lower rate. Guided by experienced clinical supervisors.
Psychotherapy may also qualify for the medical expense tax credit in Canada. Questions about coverage? See our reduced-fee program or call us, we are happy to walk you through it.
Your questions, answered
Do I need a referral for social anxiety therapy in Vaughan?
No referral is needed. You can book a free 20-minute consultation online at psychotherapyclinic.janeapp.com or call (905) 553-9507. Most people have their first full session within a week.
Is social anxiety just shyness?
No. Shyness is a personality trait, while social anxiety is an intense, persistent fear of being judged that can shrink your world and stop you doing things you want to do. It is very common and it responds well to therapy.
Do I have to do scary exposures right away?
No. Exposure is gradual and always paced with you. You start with the easiest steps and build up only as you feel ready. Nothing is forced, and your therapist supports you the whole way.
How long does social anxiety therapy take?
Many people notice meaningful change over a course of CBT and gradual exposure, though it varies from person to person. You and your therapist review progress together and adjust the pace as you go.
Do I need medication for social anxiety?
Not necessarily. For many people, CBT with gradual exposure is enough on its own. Our therapists are Registered Psychotherapists and do not prescribe medication, but we are glad to work alongside your physician if medication is part of your care.
Can I do social anxiety therapy online?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario, plus in-person sessions in Woodbridge, Vaughan and Barrie. Many people find starting online feels less intimidating, and you can move to in-person later if you wish. Evenings and weekends are available.
What if my social anxiety comes with general anxiety or depression?
That is very common, and we work with the whole picture. Social anxiety often travels with general anxiety or low mood, and your therapist tailors the approach so these are addressed together rather than in isolation.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Our therapists are Registered Psychotherapists regulated by the CRPO, and everything you share stays confidential within the standard legal limits, which your therapist explains clearly in your first session.
How is social anxiety therapy different from just pushing myself to socialize more?
Pushing through without a plan can backfire and reinforce the fear if it goes badly. Therapy builds a gradual, structured path: you practice social situations in a planned order, starting with what feels manageable, while learning to catch the anxious predictions that fuel avoidance. It is exposure with support and skill-building, not just white-knuckling it alone.
Is it social anxiety or am I just an introvert?
Introversion is a personality trait: you recharge alone and prefer smaller gatherings, but social situations do not typically cause dread or physical distress. Social anxiety involves a strong fear of judgment or embarrassment that can lead to avoiding things you actually want to do. A Registered Psychotherapist cannot formally diagnose social anxiety disorder, but we can help you understand the difference and find the right support.
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In-person sessions at three locations, plus secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario. Evenings and weekends available.
Three steps toward easier days
Book your free consult
Online in 2 minutes or by phone. No referral, no credit card.
Meet your therapist
Talk it through and get matched with the right fit for you.
Feel at ease
Build confidence step by step and get your social life back.