Over the years I have seen more and more people coming into the clinic dealing with anxiety, and especially social anxiety. I suppose in today’s fast-paced, cyber-connected world, it makes sense that social anxiety is becoming more common. Whether it's the pressures of social media or the lingering effects of forced isolation during the pandemic, many more people now find it difficult to feel comfortable in social settings.

Social anxiety isn't just shyness or occasional nervousness. It usually feels like a deeply overwhelming fear that can be quite crippling. Everyday activities like speaking up at work, going along to social gatherings, or even making eye contact can trigger intense worry and fear. It can stop people from living their lives as these feelings lead to isolation and missed opportunities socially and professionally.

While it can feel unsurmountable, social anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. Using hypnotherapy I’ve helped many to shift anxiety on a deep, subconscious level using this very gentle, yet powerfully effective approach.

What Does Social Anxiety Feel Like?

Social anxiety can manifest differently for each individual, but common signs include:

Physical symptoms
Sweating, trembling, a racing heart, dizziness, or feeling like you can’t breathe.

Mental and Emotional Signs
Overthinking conversations, fear of being judged, self-criticism, and anticipating the worst-case scenario.

Behavioural Patterns
Avoiding social situations altogether, struggling to speak, or feeling the need to escape events quickly.

At one end of the spectrum, social anxiety might mean avoiding public speaking or small talk. At the other extreme, it can mean completely withdrawing from any social interaction, even with close friends or family.

Many sufferers feel like they’re trapped in a cycle—knowing that the avoidance feeds the anxiety, yet unable to face the discomfort. Over time, it’s not hard to see how this can impact relationships, career, and overall quality of life.

How Social Anxiety Limits Your Life

Living with social anxiety can be incredibly limiting. It can hold you back from:

• Pursuing new opportunities at work, such as presentations, promotions, or networking events.
• Building meaningful relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or professional.
• Enjoying activities you once loved, like travelling, dining out, or attending events.
• Expressing your authentic self, as fear of judgment leads you to shrink or hide parts of who you are.
  

Many people with social anxiety feel a sense of frustration or sadness at how much they’re missing out on. They want to connect with others and experience life fully but feel held back by this invisible barrier.



How Hypnotherapy Can Help You Overcome Social Anxiety

Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind and this is where the root of anxiety often lies. Social anxiety is not just a result of negative thoughts, habits, or lack of will power. ILike many of the problems we face, it’s linked to deep fears, past experiences, or subconscious beliefs about self-worth, safety, and connection.

Hypnoetherapy works by guiding you into a deeply relaxed state, where your conscious mind quiets down, and the subconscious becomes open to positive changes. After the sessions, people find it much easier to make choices and take actions towards things where they had previously felt blocked. 

Pursuing new opportunities at work, such as presentations, promotions, or networking events.

Building meaningful relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or professional.

Enjoying activities you once loved, like travelling, dining out, or attending events.

Expressing your authentic self, as fear of judgment leads you to shrink or hide parts of who you are.

Many people with social anxiety feel a sense of frustration or sadness at how much they’re missing out on. They want to connect with others and experience life fully but feel held back by this invisible barrier.

What to expect in a Hypnotherapy session

Identifying the Root Cause
First we will sit together and discuss some of the challenges you’ve been having and we explore when and the reasons why social anxiety first began. This could be linked to a past event, things people have said or or an internalised belief about yourself (e.g., “I’m not good enough” or “People will not like me”).

Reprogramming the Subconscious
While sitting or laying down in a comfortable position, I speak to you, gently, guiding you to relax using visualisations and verbal prompts. While in a state of deep relaxation, also called Trance, and using our prior discussions as a guide, we replace outdated thought patterns with more empowering beliefs. For example, shifting from fear of judgment to feelings of confidence and ease in social situations.

Building Calm and Confidence
Hypnotherapy also teaches your mind and body how to enter a calm state when faced with social situations. This reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety and strengthens your confidence over time.

As a certified life coach, I can also support you to develop skills like mindfulness, breathing techniques and meditation so you have more tools and resources available when facing challenges in the future.

Hypnotherapy is not about forcing change or revisiting a painful or traumatic past. Instead it’s a collaborative, safe, and compassionate therapeutic process to help you feel empowered and more in control of your life.

Why Use Hypnotherapy for Social Anxiety?

Unlike talk therapy, which works primarily with the conscious mind, hypnotherapy goes deeper to address the subconscious programming that fuels anxiety. By creating shifts at this level, you can:

• Let go of old fears and limiting beliefs.
• Develop new responses to social situations.
• Strengthen your sense of self-worth and confidence.
• Feel more at ease and present in the moment.
  

Many people find hypnotherapy to be a faster and more effective way to address anxiety because it targets the root cause rather than just managing symptoms.

Imagining a Life Without Social Anxiety

Imagine walking into a room and feeling calm, confident, and connected to yourself. Picture yourself speaking up in meetings, attending events, and forming relationships without the weight of anxiety holding you back.

Hypnotherapy can help you move towards that future vision. By gently and collaboratively reprogramming your subconscious mind, you can step into a version of yourself that feels free, authentic, and able to engage with the world around you.

Take the First Step Today!

If you or someone you love is struggling with social anxiety, I want to assure you that change is very much possible and more achievable than you might think. As a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Certified Life Coach, I specialise in helping individuals overcome anxiety and reconnect with their confidence and ease.

You don’t have to live with the limitations of social anxiety forever. Book a session today and together, we can create a path towards a life where you get to feel calm and confident to be yourself in any situation.

Amanda Davies

Diploma (Clinical Hypnosis), Advanced Cert. (Trauma, Grief & Addiction), Cert. (Anxiety & Depression) Cert. (Life Coaching)

Amanda is a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and she is a Clinical member of the Professional Hypnotherapist Association of Australia. With over 15 years experience, Amanda has empowered many to create positive change and move forward.

Amanda has a special interest in phobias, negative self-talk, anxiety and the mind body connection in wellness, therefore eradicating self-sabotage and unlocking people’s full potential.