Featuring two groups, an in-person one and our virtual Stepping Stone group.
We’re starting a new support group specifically for adults aged 21-40 who are dealing with social anxiety. Our goal is to create a safe and understanding space where you can share your experiences and find support.
Building Trust and Understanding
Our group is based on building trust, fostering understanding, and gradually exposing ourselves to social situations. We aim to create a compassionate environment where everyone feels comfortable and supported.
Our Approach and Techniques
Psychoeducation: We’ll start by learning about social anxiety, its symptoms, and the cognitive and behavioral patterns involved. Understanding the condition can help reduce the stigma, and knowing you’re not alone can be liberating.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): We’ll work on challenging negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations. Together, we’ll reframe these thoughts into more realistic and positive ones, which is a key part of our journey.
Exposure Therapy: We’ll gradually face feared social situations through homework assignments, starting with less anxiety-provoking scenarios and slowly increasing the difficulty. This helps build confidence step by step.
Role-Playing: Acting out social situations within the group can help you become more comfortable with these scenarios in real life. We’ll practice together in a supportive setting.
Group Discussion: Sharing your thoughts and feelings with others who understand can be incredibly comforting. Group discussions foster a sense of community and mutual support.
Goal Setting: We’ll set realistic and achievable goals together. Small steps can lead to significant progress, and we’ll celebrate each achievement along the way.
Social Skills Training: We’ll provide guidance on specific social skills, like starting conversations and maintaining eye contact, to help improve your interactions.
Homework: Practicing skills outside the group is important. We’ll discuss these experiences in our meetings, learning from each other’s progress.
Journaling: Keeping a journal of your thoughts and feelings related to social situations can help track your progress and identify patterns. This can be a powerful tool for self-reflection.
Join Us
Our group is here to support you in navigating social anxiety. By working together, we can build confidence, improve social skills, and find ways to manage anxiety.
We look forward to welcoming you and walking alongside you on this journey.
For more information and to join our group, please see our sign up form.
Social anxiety can feel isolating, overwhelming, and exhausting. You might find yourself overthinking interactions, avoiding social situations, or feeling like everyone’s watching and judging you—even when they’re not. At Cognitive Change, we understand how difficult this experience can be—and we’re here to help.
That’s why we’re offering Stepping Stone, a new therapy group designed specifically for adults who struggle with social anxiety.
Because healing doesn’t have to be all at once. We know that facing social fears takes courage, and it helps to have a clear, supported path.
Stepping Stone is just that: a gentle, structured progression from virtual to in-person support.
You’ll begin in a virtual group setting, where you can build trust, learn coping strategies, and begin practicing new skills from the comfort of home.
When you feel ready, you’ll have the option to transition into our in-person social anxiety group—taking what you’ve learned and applying it in a more real-world setting, surrounded by others on the same journey.
This approach allows you to move forward at your own pace, with a consistent therapeutic team and a supportive community walking beside you.
Tools to manage anxiety in social situations
Cognitive-behavioral strategies to challenge negative thoughts
A safe space to practice new behaviors
Support from peers who truly understand
The opportunity to grow confidence gradually—from behind the screen to face-to-face
Format: Virtual, with optional transition to in-person
Led by: CBT therapists Daniel Linehan and Valentina Castrillon
When: Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM
Who it’s for: Adults aged 21–40 experiencing social anxiety
Contact: [email protected] | www.cognitivechange.org
You don’t have to wait until you feel “less anxious” to reach out. This group is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re just beginning to explore therapy or looking to deepen your work, Stepping Stone can be a powerful part of your journey.
We’re here—and we’re walking this with you.
