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Conquering Social Anxiety with ERP Threapy In California

Understanding and Treating Social Anxiety with Behavioral Therapy

Social Anxiety Disorder involves an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated in social or performance situations. This fear leads to avoidance, overthinking, and physical symptoms that make social interactions feel overwhelming, draining, or threatening.


Social anxiety is not shyness—it’s a persistent, impairing pattern that affects work, relationships, decision-making, and daily routines.


Why Social Anxiety Persists

Social anxiety is maintained through a cycle:


Trigger → Fear → Avoidance/Safety Behaviors → Short-Term Relief → More Sensitivity Next Time


The brain never gets the chance to learn that social situations can be tolerated or managed without avoidance. This is why behavioral therapy—especially exposure-based work—is the most effective approach.

Fear of social situations that lead to isolation and loneliness can be treated with erp therapy.

Understanding Social Anxiety

People with Social Anxiety Disorder often experience:

  • Worry about seeming awkward, boring, incompetent, or “off”
  • Fear of disappointing others or making a bad impression
  • Fear of conflict or drawing attention

  • Concern about blushing, sweating, shaking, or stumbling over words
  • Worry about saying something “wrong”
  • Fear of visibly showing anxiety

  • Anxiety during meetings, presentations, or group activities
  • Difficulty eating, writing, or performing tasks while others are present

  • Fear of long pauses, awkward silence, or not knowing what to say
  • Fear of interrupting or misreading social cues

  • Hyper-awareness of voice, posture, facial expressions
  • Feeling scrutinized, monitored, or “spotlighted”

Social Anxiety in Daily Life

Social anxiety often leads to patterns that temporarily reduce distress but reinforce fear long-term.

  • Skipping social events, meetings, classes, or gatherings
  • Avoiding presentations or leadership opportunities
  • Avoiding dating or forming new relationships

  • Replaying conversations repeatedly
  • Planning sentences in advance
  • Overanalyzing tone, wording, and perceived mistakes
  • Assuming others are upset, annoyed, or judging

  • Rehearsing conversations
  • Staying quiet to avoid being noticed
  • Using your phone as a distraction
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Allowing others to lead interactions

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Sweating, trembling, “shaky voice”
  • Nausea or tightness in chest
  • Feeling disconnected or frozen

Social Anxiety: What to know

Social Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common anxiety conditions and affects people of all ages. It can sometimes overlap with:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • OCD
  • Perfectionism
  • Depression

You may be dealing with social anxiety if:

  • You avoid or dread social or performance situations
  • You experience physical symptoms during interactions
  • You worry excessively about being judged
  • You replay conversations long after they end
  • You rely heavily on safety behaviors (phone checking, staying silent, planning every word)
  • Your social fear interferes with work, relationships, or opportunities

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Gradual practice of feared social situations
  • Reduces avoidance and reliance on safety behaviors
  • Builds tolerance for discomfort
  • Allows new learning that feared outcomes are less likely or manageable


Treatment is structured, predictable, and collaborative—focused on helping you engage more fully in daily life without being controlled by social fear.

Exposure and Response Prevention via Telehealth

 

If social anxiety and avoidance are interfering with your life, you’re not alone. Social anxiety often creates cycles of distress, safety-behaviors, and avoidance that feel difficult to break. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is the most effective, evidence-based treatment for Social Anxiety.

Schedule Consultation

Your Social Anxiety Therapist in California

Matthew Baker, LCSW (CA #121926)

I’m a California therapist who specializes in evidence-based treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder. I provide structured, hands-on therapy and work actively and collaboratively with adults, teens and children to help them face feared social situations, reduce avoidance, and build confidence in everyday interactions.


Many of the people I work with feel intense worry about being judged, embarrassed, or saying the wrong thing. Social situations—like conversations, meetings, public speaking, dating, or even everyday interactions—can start to feel overwhelming or exhausting. I’ve worked across multiple treatment settings and approach these concerns with openness, professionalism, and care. Together, we’ll understand the patterns keeping anxiety stuck and develop a clear, practical plan to help you move forward with greater confidence and freedom in social situations.


Credentials, Experience and Affiliations

M.S.W., California State University, Long Beach
Emphasis: Integrated Health

  • California Licensed Clinical Social Worker # 121926
  • NOCD Academy - Advanced Training in Exposure and Response Prevention
  • Professional and Listed Member, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
  • Professional member, Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA)
  • Professional Member & Listed Clinician, Psychology Today
  • Fully Insured • HIPAA-Compliant Telehealth 

There’s a way to approach social situations differently.

Learn how ERP teaches new ways to engage.
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Serving adults, teens and children across California via secure telehealth.

Licensed in California and available to clients in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and throughout California via secure telehealth.

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Whatif Therapy

based in Lakewood, CA

714-686-9447

Whatif Therapy | Matthew Baker, LCSW (CA #121926)
Evidence-based treatment for OCD, Anxiety, and PTSD.

Serving clients across California via secure telehealth.

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