Social Anxiety Therapy in Ottawa
Fear of being judged shouldn't decide where you go. Social anxiety therapy in Ottawa, in person or online.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationFear of being judged shouldn't decide where you go. Social anxiety therapy in Ottawa, in person or online.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationEvery clinician is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
We want therapy to be financially accessible for everyone. Reduced rates are available case-by-case based on need and availability.
We submit directly to most major insurers, so you don't pay out of pocket upfront.
Our office is in Ottawa. All client records are stored in Canada and handled under PIPEDA and PHIPA.
Therapy is a space to slow down and look at what's underneath. These are some of the patterns people bring into the room.
FOR WHEN SOMETHING FEELS OFF
Before: rehearsing what you'll say, dreading the moment. After: replaying everything that happened, convinced you came across wrong. The interaction itself is almost secondary to the anxiety wrapped around it.
Skipping events. Staying quiet in meetings. Calling instead of going in person, or texting instead of calling. The avoidance makes sense in the moment, but over time your world gets smaller.
Social anxiety doesn't mean you don't want to be around people. Most clients describe the opposite: a genuine longing for connection, blocked by a fear that feels impossible to get around.
Social anxiety isn't shyness. It's your nervous system treating social evaluation as a threat, and responding accordingly. The blush, the racing heart, the urge to disappear: none of these are weaknesses. They're your body doing what it was trained to do, and therapy works by gently interrupting that training.
We primarily use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which has the strongest research base for social anxiety. That means examining the beliefs underneath the fear ("everyone noticed," "they think I'm boring"), testing them against reality, and gradually rebuilding your tolerance for situations you've been avoiding. We move at a pace that's challenging but not overwhelming, focused on real-world social situations you're actually encountering.
The goal isn't to become someone who loves the spotlight. It's to feel like yourself in a room full of people, comfortable enough to actually be there.
Social anxiety often overlaps with perfectionism and overthinking, especially the fear of being judged or falling short in front of others. If that resonates, that page goes deeper.
Email, phone, or fill out our booking form. There's no script and no pressure. You can share as much or as little as you want.
A real person, not a bot, will reply as soon as we can with a few options for a free 15-minute consultation.
We listen. You ask questions. No paperwork, no obligation. If we're not the right match, we'll point you toward someone who might be.
Direct billing where possible. Evening and weekend availability. Virtual or in-person in Ottawa.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Rates vary by therapist and are confirmed during your free consultation. We accept e-transfer and credit cards, and direct-bill most insurers.
Sliding-scale spots are available based on need. Ask during your free consultation.
Same 50-minute format, structured for two participants and shared concerns.
Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker services are covered by most extended health plans in Canada. We recommend confirming your specific coverage before your first paid session. Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and most major insurers include coverage.
We direct-bill where your insurer allows it. Otherwise, you pay at the time of session and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Every session generates a receipt listing the provider's license number, suitable for insurance reimbursement.
In-person sessions are held at our Ottawa office. Virtual sessions use a secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platform. You can switch between the two.
We ask for 24 hours notice on cancellations. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee.
After the free 15-minute consultation, your first paid session is intake-focused. Bring questions, anything you have already tried, and any goals you have in mind.
QUESTIONS
No. Shyness is a temperament; social anxiety is a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed that interferes with your life. If you avoid situations or replay them for hours afterward, that is closer to social anxiety, and it is very treatable.
Primarily with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), often including gradual, exposure-informed practice. You examine the beliefs underneath the fear and rebuild tolerance for situations you have avoided, at a pace that is challenging but not overwhelming.
Yes. Performance anxiety responds well to the same CBT and exposure-based methods, plus practical tools for managing the physical symptoms in the moment. We focus on the real situations you actually face at work or school.
Exposure is collaborative and gradual, never forced. You and your therapist agree on each step, and you stay in control of the pace. Most people find it far more manageable than they expected once it is broken into small pieces.
Therapy is a longer-term relationship. If you're in acute distress, please reach the services below first. They are free, confidential, and available right now.
