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
Cognitive behavioural therapy, often combined with gradual exposure, is widely regarded as a leading approach for social anxiety. It helps you challenge fearful predictions about being judged and practice feared situations step by step. There is no universal best fit, so social anxiety therapy at Auren Wellness in Ottawa is tailored to the situations that feel hardest for you.
Social anxiety therapy in Ottawa typically costs about $150 to $225 per session with a Registered Psychotherapist or Social Worker. Many extended health plans reimburse part of the fee, and sliding-scale options may be available. Auren Wellness offers direct billing to many insurers, and you can book a free 15-minute consult to discuss fees before you begin.
Social anxiety therapy with an RP or RSW is generally not covered by OHIP but is often reimbursed through extended health benefits. Check your plan for psychotherapy, psychology, or social work coverage and any annual limits. Auren Wellness in Ottawa offers direct billing to many insurers, which can lower what you pay up front at each appointment.
Many people notice meaningful improvement in social anxiety within roughly 12 to 16 sessions, though the timeline depends on your goals and how often you practice between sessions. Progress is often gradual as you take on harder situations. Your Auren Wellness therapist in Ottawa will pace the work with you and adjust as your confidence grows.
Many people manage social anxiety through therapy alone, often using CBT and gradual exposure to build confidence in feared situations. Medication is one option some people choose with a prescriber, but it is not required for everyone. Social anxiety therapy at Auren Wellness in Ottawa focuses on practical skills, and you can start with a free 15-minute consult to explore what fits you.
Shyness is a personality trait that can make social situations uncomfortable but usually does not stop you from doing what you want. Social anxiety is a more intense, persistent fear of being judged that often leads to avoidance and interferes with daily life. If social fear is holding you back, a therapist at Auren Wellness in Ottawa can help you tell the difference and find support.
Exposure therapy involves gradually and safely facing feared social situations rather than avoiding them, starting with more manageable steps and building up. Over time, this can reduce the fear response and challenge the belief that the situation is dangerous. In social anxiety therapy at Auren Wellness in Ottawa, exposures are planned collaboratively and paced to feel challenging but doable.
Virtual social anxiety therapy can be a strong option and may feel especially accessible if leaving home or meeting new people feels daunting. Research suggests it can be comparable to in-person care for many people. Auren Wellness offers secure online sessions across Ontario as well as in-person appointments in Ottawa, so you can choose what feels most comfortable.
Sessions often start with understanding the situations you fear and the thoughts behind them, then move toward building skills, reframing anxious predictions, and gradually practicing social situations. You set the pace, and there is no pressure to do more than you are ready for. At Auren Wellness in Ottawa, social anxiety therapy is structured around your specific triggers and goals.
Social anxiety therapy is well supported by research, and many people find it helps them feel less fearful and more able to take part in social and work situations. Results vary and no approach can promise a specific outcome, but consistent practice tends to help gains last. Auren Wellness clinicians in Ottawa tailor the work to give your therapy the best chance to make a difference.
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.
