Social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel exhausting. The fear of judgment or embarrassment often limits opportunities and strains relationships. At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, we understand how deeply this affects confidence and connection. Our evidence-based social anxiety disorder treatment in Portland helps individuals manage anxiety, build self-assurance, and feel comfortable in social settings again.
Since 2014, our locally owned Portland clinic has provided personalized psychiatric and therapeutic care in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Each plan is customized to the individual, combining proven methods with compassion to promote lasting relief and emotional balance.
Understanding the Causes and Impact of Social Anxiety
Social anxiety disorder is more than occasional nervousness; it is an ongoing fear of social situations that can interfere with daily life. People living with this condition may experience intense worry before events, heightened self-awareness during conversations, and a strong urge to avoid situations where they might be judged.
Its causes are often a blend of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Family history, early experiences of rejection, or overactivity in areas of the brain that regulate fear can all contribute. Recognizing these influences helps our clinicians design individualized treatment for social anxiety disorder that addresses both emotional and physical aspects of the condition.
As outlined by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), when left untreated, social anxiety can lead to avoidance, isolation, and reduced quality of life. At Shanti, we focus on helping patients break this cycle through education, therapy, and targeted medical support to encourage confidence and emotional well-being.
Recognizing the Signs and When to Seek Help
Social anxiety can appear in many ways and often develops gradually. Some individuals experience both physical and emotional symptoms that can make daily interactions feel overwhelming.
Common signs of social anxiety may include:
- Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath during conversations or group activities
- Sweating, trembling, or blushing when attention is focused on them
- Nausea, dizziness, or muscle tension before or during social events
- Overanalyzing past interactions or worrying excessively about future ones
- Avoiding social situations, eye contact, or public speaking opportunities
- Feeling persistent fear of embarrassment or being negatively judged
These patterns can become so ingrained that they begin to shape a person’s daily routines and overall quality of life. Many people dismiss these symptoms as shyness, but when anxiety begins to limit work, relationships, or personal goals, it is time to seek professional help.
Early treatment can prevent symptoms from intensifying and significantly improve long-term recovery. At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, we start with a compassionate and detailed evaluation to understand your history, current challenges, and treatment goals. From there, we create a personalized plan that combines therapy, medication, and continued support to help you regain confidence and stability.
How Treatment Works at Shanti
Starting social anxiety disorder treatment in Portland at our center begins with understanding your story. During the first visit, a licensed clinician conducts a thorough psychiatric evaluation to learn about your symptoms, background, and goals. This assessment guides the development of a treatment plan specific to your individual needs.
Our approach combines therapy, medication management, and lifestyle guidance to promote steady, lasting progress. Sessions focus on identifying triggers, reshaping anxious thoughts, and practicing new coping skills in a supportive environment. When medication is included, it is prescribed with care and monitored closely to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
Each step of treatment is collaborative. You and your clinician work together to track progress, adjust the plan as needed, and celebrate meaningful improvements. At our facility, care is not about short-term relief; it is about helping you build confidence, stability, and long-term emotional strength.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Social Anxiety Disorder
At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, every treatment plan is guided by evidence-based methods that help individuals manage anxiety and regain confidence in social settings. Our clinicians use proven therapeutic approaches, ensuring that care remains both compassionate and clinically sound. Below are the primary therapeutic approaches and treatments we use for social anxiety disorder:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective methods for addressing social anxiety. It helps patients recognize and change negative thought patterns that reinforce fear, self-consciousness, and avoidance. Through guided sessions, individuals learn healthier ways to interpret social interactions and respond with confidence.
Exposure-Based Techniques
Within therapy, patients may gradually work through anxiety-provoking situations in a safe and supportive setting. This process helps reduce the fear response and makes it easier to participate in social experiences over time.
Therapeutic Support with Mindfulness Practices
While not a standalone program, mindfulness strategies are often incorporated into therapy to promote calm, focus, and emotional balance. These techniques help patients stay grounded and present in challenging moments.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
We offer this noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment for individuals whose symptoms persist despite traditional therapy or medication. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood and anxiety regulation, improving focus and overall well-being.
Addressing Social Anxiety and Co-Occurring Conditions
Social anxiety often overlaps with other mental health concerns such as depression, panic disorder, or substance use. The connection between social anxiety and addiction is especially common when individuals use alcohol or drugs to feel more comfortable in social settings. This temporary relief can quickly lead to dependence and worsening anxiety.
Shanti Recovery & Wellness specializes in treating both conditions together through dual-diagnosis care. Our clinicians provide therapy alongside medical treatments like Suboxone, Sublocade, or Vivitrol to manage substance use safely and effectively. This integrated approach supports both emotional recovery and physical stability.
By addressing both conditions simultaneously, we help patients regain balance, self-confidence, and long-term wellness. Our team focuses on helping each person build coping skills that support healthy routines, stronger relationships, and sustainable recovery.
Your Path to Healing at Shanti
Finding the right support for social anxiety can feel overwhelming, but the right team makes all the difference. At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, our clinicians take time to understand each patient’s goals and design treatment that fits their needs and pace of progress. Whether therapy, medication, or TMS is part of the plan, each approach focuses on helping patients build confidence and maintain steady, lasting improvement.
Shanti is locally owned and in-network with most major insurance providers, including Medicare. We offer both in-person and telemedicine appointments across Oregon to make care accessible and convenient. Our dual-diagnosis expertise, advanced technology, and patient-centered approach set us apart as a trusted partner in recovery. Here, patients are supported with respect, understanding, and evidence-based care that helps them achieve meaningful, long-term results.
Rediscover Calm and Connection With Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Portland
Social anxiety doesn’t have to define your life. At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, our personalized social anxiety disorder treatment in Portland helps patients move past fear and rediscover a sense of ease and confidence. Through therapy, medication, or TMS, we provide the tools and support needed for lasting progress.
If anxiety has been holding you back, reach out today. Our team offers in-person and telemedicine appointments across Oregon to make care accessible and supportive. Healing begins with one conversation, and we’re here to help you take that step with understanding and care.