Conversations with others can create intense inner tension even when everything appears calm on the surface. A person may rehearse dialogues in advance, fear saying “the wrong thing,” lose their train of thought, or analyze every phrase long after the interaction ends. Dr. Daniel Reinhardt notes – social anxiety is rarely caused by a lack of communication skills. At MindCareCenter, we see that it more often develops around fear of evaluation and a weakened inner sense of support.
At MindCareCenter, people frequently seek help who feel confident in their professional roles but become tense in everyday conversations. Simple situations – small talk, meeting new people, discussing personal topics – can trigger a racing heart, bodily tightness, and a strong urge to end the interaction as quickly as possible. Internally, this often leaves a sense of awkwardness and self-dissatisfaction.
Our psychologists emphasize – social anxiety does not arise “out of nowhere.” In Dr. Reinhardt’s view, it often stems from early experiences where self-expression was met with criticism, shame, or the feeling that “something is wrong with me.” As a result, the psyche learns to remain vigilant in contact – constantly monitoring others’ reactions and adapting to avoid rejection.
At MindCareCenter, work with social anxiety does not begin with rehearsing phrases or practicing conversation scripts. Instead, we explore the inner state a person brings into contact – expectations of judgment, fear of mistakes, and the habit of devaluing oneself in advance. When these mechanisms become visible, tension begins to ease.
Special attention at MindCareCenter is given to bodily responses. Social anxiety often “lives” in the body – in tight shoulders, shallow breathing, or a frozen facial expression. Our psychologists help clients notice these signals and stay connected with themselves, rather than focusing solely on the other person’s reaction.
Gradually, therapy at MindCareCenter helps shift attention from external evaluation to a sense of inner stability. Communication stops feeling like an exam that must be passed. There is more room for spontaneity, authenticity, and the freedom to be oneself rather than a “correct” version of oneself.
It is important to understand – the goal of therapy at MindCareCenter is not to turn someone into an extrovert or make them “perfectly confident.” We help people develop inner permission to be different – to speak or remain silent, to make mistakes, to ask questions without having all the answers. This reduces pressure and allows connection to feel more natural.
If you notice that conversations drain your energy, anxiety arises even in safe situations, and interactions leave you feeling empty – this is not a character flaw. It reflects a psyche that has spent too long in a mode of self-protection. At Mind Care Center, we help people gradually step out of this mode – restoring confidence not through control, but through inner support.
Previously, we wrote about the feeling that life is passing you by and how MindCareCenter works with the loss of engagement.