How to help my Teen Overcome Social Anxiety at School?

Does your Teen have Social Anxiety?
9 Key Symptoms to watch out for

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety, or social phobia, is a characterised by an intense fear of social situations, fearing embarrassment or judgment from others. Parents should understand that it goes beyond shyness, and it's important to provide support, seek professional help, and create a supportive environment to help their child manage social anxiety and thrive.

9 Symptoms for Social Anxiety in Teens

Social anxiety can express itself with both mental and physical symptoms, and can be anticipatory (prior to a social event), during a social event or after a social event, these include:

  1. Blushing & sweating

  2. Trembling

  3. Nausea

  4. Stomach upset

  5. Bowel problems

  6. Heart racing

  7. Isolation

  8. Lack of eye contact

  9. Panic attacks

Teenagers may as a result, engage in the following behaviours:

  • Excessive use of phone

  • Avoiding school and other activities

  • Nausea or sickness before school

  • Frustration and anger

  • Misbehaving at school and home

  • Substance abuse

The 5 Reasons why your teen might experience Social Anxiety

There could be one or a combination of reasons why your teen might be experiencing social anxiety.

1

Environmental factors or experiences
Growing up in a tough or stressful environment, or going through difficult experiences like abuse or witnessing violence, can really affect how a teenager feels mentally.

2

Bullying
Bullying can have profound effects on a teenager's self-esteem and overall mental health. The constant torment, humiliation, and social rejection experienced through bullying can instill deep-seated fear and anxiety in teens when it comes to social interactions.

3

Genetics

Scientific research has indicated that social anxiety disorder may have a genetic component. If social anxiety runs in the family, there is an increased likelihood that your teenager might also experience similar challenges.

4

Parenting Styles

Overprotective parenting and limited freedom can hinder a teenager's social growth. Additionally, excessive criticism and unrealistic expectations contribute to self-doubt and fear of judgment in social settings.

5

Socialisation

Without regular exposure to different social situations, adolescents may struggle to develop the necessary social skills, leading to feelings of unease and anxiety when faced with unfamiliar interactions.

Empowering your Teen:
Do's & Don'ts for Parents Handling Social Anxiety

Do’s:

  • Encourage your teen to participate in activities they enjoy and are good at. This will facilitate confidence building and enhance self esteem.

  • Provide opportunities for social interaction: Encourage your teen to gradually expose themselves to situations that trigger their anxiety, in a controlled and supportive environment. This can help them build confidence and overcome their fears.

  • Introduce your teen to self-soothing techniques to help them manage their social anxiety such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. This will help them understand that there is an ability to control the levels of social anxiety.

Dont’s:

  • Avoid minimising your teenager's experiences or telling them to "just relax" or "get over it." This can make them feel misunderstood and invalidated.

  • Don't assume you know what's best for them: While you may have good intentions, it's important to involve your teenager in the decision-making process for their treatment and support. Respect their opinions and preferences.

  • Avoid making your teen’s anxiety the center of attention in your family. Instead, foster a balanced environment that normalizes their experiences and promotes open communication.

A Comprehensive Guide to Supporting Teens with Social Anxiety in School and Social Settings

Equip yourself with practical strategies and insights to help your teen navigate these challenges with confidence and understanding. Empower both yourself and your teen by accessing this essential resource.

Client Success Stories:
How these 3 Teens overcame their Anxiety

Sarah - Social Anxiety at School

Sarah, a 15-year-old student, faced severe social anxiety that had caused her to withdraw from social situations and constantly worry about negative judgment. Despite her parents' attempts at various treatments, little progress was made. Through the Social Ease Programme, Sarah learned to identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors contributing to her anxiety. She acquired coping strategies to manage anxiety, relaxation techniques, and gained confidence in social interactions.

As time passed, Sarah's social anxiety diminished, leading to improved grades and increased participation in extracurricular activities. Notably, her parents also experienced positive changes in their own lives, shedding constant worry and stress while enjoying a more fulfilling relationship with their daughter.

Laura - Skipped School

Laura's teenage years were marred by relentless bullying at school. Laura felt like she couldn't talk to anyone about what was happening to her, so she started skipping school pretending she was sick, she would walk longer routes to and from school to avoid seeing the bullies and eat her lunch outside near the staff room to feel safe.

Laura’s parents eventually found out what was really going on and decided it was in her best interests to move schools to where her sisters were. Laura never sought any therapy following this experience, she tried to brush it off and deal with it alone but it affected her in many ways through fear of being around other people and being judged negatively. She avoided many activities, job proposals where she would feel this fear.

However, at the age of twenty she decided to take control of her life. Through the Social Ease Programme, she discovered techniques to challenge negative beliefs and respond assertively. Laura learned how to respond to others, particularly anyone she felt threatened by in a way that protected her emotional wellbeing, and she gained the confidence and self-assurance to stand up for herself. Her story highlights the importance of addressing bullying's lasting impact and seeking support to reclaim one's life.

Hannah - Panic Attacks

Hannah faced the overwhelming and frightening experience of panic attacks, which included rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and intense fear of social situations. These attacks disrupted her daily life, hindering her ability to concentrate in class and go outside. Despite her parents' support, they struggled to fully grasp her challenges.

However, everything started to shift for Hannah when she joined the Social Ease Programme. She gained insight into the underlying causes of her panic attacks and learned effective techniques to manage them. Hannah discovered how to regulate her breathing and calm her racing thoughts, which empowered her to feel more confident and in control. As a result, she could attend social events without the constant fear of having a panic attack and found it easier to focus on her studies.

Not only did Hannah experience positive changes in her life, but her parents also witnessed the transformation. Seeing their daughter overcome panic attacks and develop strategies to manage her anxiety brought them immense relief and gratitude.

The Social Ease Programme
for Overcoming Social Anxiety in Teens

How does it work?

The Social Ease Programme for Teens is conducted online through 1:1 sessions on Zoom.

It consists of these 5 key components:

  1. Psychoeducation
    The first few sessions are dedicated to educating the teens about social anxiety and how it affects them. They learn about the physical symptoms of anxiety and how to recognise when they are experiencing anxiety.

  2. Reframing negative thoughts
    Teens learn how to identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations. They learn to replace negative self-talk with positive, realistic thoughts.

  3. Safe exposure
    Gradual exposure to feared social situations helps teens learn that they can cope with anxiety-provoking situations.

  4. Social skills training
    Teens will learn specific social skills, such as assertiveness, conversation skills, and problem-solving skills. These skills help teens feel more confident in social situations and reduce their social anxiety.

  5. Parent involvement
    Parents are involved in the treatment process and learn how to support their teens in overcoming social anxiety.

Overall, the Social Ease Programme is an effective treatment for social anxiety in teens. It has been shown to significantly reduce social anxiety symptoms and improve overall functioning in adolescents.

What is the therapeutic method used in the Social Ease Programme?

The method used is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy. It combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies with hypnosis.

I will work with your teen to identify their limiting thoughts, feelings and behaviours in relation to their social anxiety that are holding them back at school.

We will then work together to change these limiting thoughts, feelings and behaviours into ones that serve them better. These positive changes will then be rehearsed with hypnosis to embed the changes at a deeper level. 

Hypnosis is a natural state that most people experience every day, such as when we daydream or become engrossed in a book or movie. This means that hypnosis is a familiar and comfortable experience for most teenagers, making it easier for them to relax and embrace positive transformations.

The 4 Benefits of the Social Ease Programme for Teens

1

Relax In Social Settings

Social Ease will teach your teen how to relax in social settings by using relaxation techniques and visualisations. This will give them confidence and control over their fear and anxiety prior to and when in the company of others.

2

Restore Your Teen's Confidence using Hypnosis

Hypnosis-based therapy is all natural and resembles daydreaming. Through hypnosis your teen will use their imagination to bring about positive thoughts and emotions and rehearse behaviour change. I'll help your teen start trusting themselves to be around other people without feeling anxious, fear, or weirdness.

3

The Confidence your Teen desires

Your teen will be in full control of their emotions and reactions - no more stress or worry about being judged by their peers. With guidance and support, they'll regain the confidence to live the life free from anxiety that they deserve.

4

Easy and Quick Solution

No need to spend hours stuck in a session - our specialised treatments are designed with efficiency in mind, so your teen can start feeling better within weeks! All they need is just a willingness for change - no need to believe that it will work for it to be effective.

Checklist: Is this right for my teen?

Your Teen's Symptoms

Consider whether your teen is exhibiting symptoms of social anxiety, such as excessive worry, fear of social situations, avoidance of social situations, and physical symptoms like sweating or trembling.

Treatment components

Review the treatment’s components, which include hypnosis, exposure therapy, and social skills training, and consider whether they align with your teen's needs.

Your Teen's willingness to participate

The Social Ease treatment requires active participation from the teen, including attendance at weekly one to one sessions and exposure to feared social situations (under supervision and guidance).

Meet Jo - Social Anxiety Therapist for Teens

I am a Social Anxiety Therapist with a passion for helping teenagers overcome their social anxiety and live happier, more fulfilling lives.

I have extensive experience as a Specialist Occupational Therapist within community mental health services and physical rehabilitation services, and have also worked as a teaching and learning support assistant for children with autism.

As the founder of Social Ease Programme, I am dedicated to providing support to teenagers struggling with social anxiety, having personally experienced the impact of this issue on my own life. With the help of cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, I was able to overcome my own social anxiety and transform the way I interact with the world and myself.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling, dancing, and learning Spanish (albeit slowly!).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hypnosis is a natural state that most people experience every day, such as when we daydream or become engrossed in a book or movie. This means that hypnosis is a familiar and comfortable experience for most teenagers, making it easier for them to enter into a hypnotic state.

    Hypnosis allows for direct communication with the subconscious mind, which is the part of the mind that governs emotions, beliefs, and habits. This is particularly important when working with teens, as their subconscious minds are still developing and can be more receptive to suggestions for positive change.

    Hypnosis can help teens access and process difficult emotions and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. This can be especially beneficial for teens who may be resistant to traditional talk therapy or who struggle to express their emotions verbally.

  • Natural Form of Treatment

    Hypnosis is natural, somewhat like day-dreaming. It’s something we all do several times a day without realising it! Your teen doesn't need to believe that the therapy will work, they only need to want to change.

    Relieve Stress With Hypnosis

    We use hypnotherapy to help your Teen's mind ease and relax; this natural, safe state of relaxation works wonders in relieving mental stress caused due to social anxiety.

    Realise Fewer Fears In Everyday Life

    When your teen is free from their social anxiety, they’ll have the confidence to go wherever they want without fear or hesitation. Enjoy life together without worry!

  • 4-6 sessions are recommended within the Social Ease Programme, however this could be more or less depending on the individual’s situation.

  • No matter where you are located in the world, your teen can get started today.

    To get your teen started, all they’ll need is:

    A device (such as a tablet, smartphone or PC) with Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams installed

    A credit or debit card to make the online payment (which you’ll receive a payment link for)

    Most importantly, your teens willingness and desire to overcome their social anxiety at school.

  • The sessions are between 50 minutes to 1 hour, once a week.

    Initial Consultation

    During the first session we will focus on understanding your teen’s social anxiety at school to ensure I have a comprehensive understanding of their situation. Based on this information, I will provide your teen with knowledge about how social anxiety may have developed for them. I will assess your teen’s current mental health and create a personalised treatment plan that is tailored to their unique goals and needs.

    The Journey Ahead

    After the initial consultation we will have sessions weekly embarking on your teens journey of self-improvement. Typically treatment can be between 4-6 sessions however this may be longer or shorter depending on several factors: the nature and severity of social anxiety, readiness and motivation to change and work towards goals and any external elements impacting your teen’s life.

    Throughout the sessions we will work together to develop positive behaviours and coping mechanisms to help manage your teen’s social anxiety in different situations. Through hypnosis, we simulate scenarios that involve interacting with people, which helps establish new automatic responses in your teens mind.

    Your teen will experience firsthand how this simple yet effective process can help them overcome their social anxiety and leave them feeling more confident and in control in social situations.

    I will work closely with your teen to help identify and overcome any triggers that they may have encountered and review their progress weekly.

    Knowing When to End Therapy for Teen Social Anxiety

    You may be wondering, how will my teen know when to end therapy?

    We will review your teens progress weekly, when its time to end the sessions this may be decided if your teen feels more confident in social situations, has developed effective coping strategies, and feels equipped to manage future challenges that may arise.

3 Useful Resources for Parents

The Parents Guide

Helpful tips and techniques to guide your Teen through the challenges of Social Anxiety

Schedule a free call

Benefit from a free 30 Min Consultation Call with Jo and get all of your questions answered

Social Ease Handbook

All essential facts about the Social Ease Programme at your Fingertips, ready for when you need them

Get in Touch

Contact

The Social Ease Programme by

Josephine Tripier Lorio
jo(at)virtualtherapystudio.com

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