Social Anxiety: How Brainspotting Helps You Feel Comfortable in Your Own Skin
Do you ever dread walking into a room full of people, even if you know most of them? Maybe your heart races before you speak up in a meeting, or you replay conversations in your head, worrying you said the “wrong” thing. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—social anxiety is incredibly common, and it can make even everyday interactions feel overwhelming.
The good news? You don’t have to live with that constant sense of unease. Brainspotting is a powerful, gentle therapy that can help you move past social anxiety and feel more at home in your own skin.
What Does Social Anxiety Really Feel Like?
Social anxiety isn’t just about shyness or introversion. It’s a persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social situations. For some, it shows up as:
Avoiding parties, meetings, or group gatherings
Worrying for days (or weeks!) about an upcoming event
Overthinking every word during and after a conversation
Physical symptoms like sweating, blushing, or a racing heart
Feeling like you’re “on stage” and everyone is watching
These feelings can be exhausting and isolating, making it hard to connect with others or show up as your authentic self.
Why Does Social Anxiety Happen?
Social anxiety often has roots in past experiences—maybe you were teased at school, felt misunderstood growing up, or had a moment of public embarrassment that stuck with you. Sometimes, it’s not one big event, but a series of small moments that add up over time.
Our brains are wired to protect us from danger, and sometimes, they interpret social situations as threats. Even when we know, logically, that we’re safe, our bodies can react with anxiety.
How Brainspotting Can Help
Brainspotting is a unique therapy that works with both the brain and body to process and release the stuck emotions and memories fueling social anxiety. Here’s how it works:
Tuning In: With the help of a trained therapist, you focus on the physical sensations or emotions that come up when you think about social situations.
Finding Your “Brainspot”: Your therapist helps you find a specific eye position that connects to the feeling—this spot acts as a doorway to the deeper emotional material.
Gentle Processing: As you focus on the brainspot, your mind and body begin to process whatever comes up—memories, sensations, or emotions—without needing to talk it all out or “figure it out.”
Releasing and Rewiring: Over time, this process helps release the old fear and tension, allowing your brain to create new, more positive associations with social situations.
Brainspotting doesn’t require you to relive painful moments or force yourself into uncomfortable situations. Instead, it helps your nervous system find a sense of safety, so you can approach social interactions with more ease and confidence.
What Changes Can You Expect?
As you work through social anxiety with brainspotting, you might notice:
Feeling less nervous before social events
Being able to speak up or share ideas without overthinking
Enjoying conversations instead of dreading them
Recovering more quickly from awkward moments
A growing sense of comfort and authenticity around others
These changes don’t happen overnight, but with consistent support, they are absolutely possible.
Tips for Navigating Social Anxiety Day-to-Day
While brainspotting can help heal anxiety at its roots, here are a few gentle tips you can try right now:
Start Small: Practice social interactions in low-pressure settings, like chatting with a barista or neighbor.
Breathe: When anxiety hits, take slow, deep breaths to signal safety to your body.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Notice when your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios, and gently question if they’re really true.
Celebrate Wins: Every time you show up, even if it feels awkward, give yourself credit.
Reach Out for Support: You don’t have to do this alone—talk to a therapist, friend, or support group.
You Deserve to Feel at Home in Your Life
Social anxiety can make the world feel small and scary, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. With the right support, you can move from fear to freedom, one step at a time. Brainspotting offers a gentle, effective path to healing—helping you feel more comfortable, confident, and connected in your own skin.
If you’re curious about how brainspotting can help with social anxiety, I’m here to answer your questions or help you get started. You deserve to feel seen, heard, and at ease—just as you are.