Therapy for Social Anxiety and Maladaptive Daydreaming

Social anxiety is more than just shyness or occasional nerves—it’s a persistent fear of being judged, criticised, or embarrassed in social or performance situations. People with social anxiety often worry excessively about how they come across, fear making mistakes in front of others, or replay social interactions over and over in their minds. It can lead to avoidance of social settings, difficulty speaking up, or feeling like you're “on stage” even in everyday situations. Over time, this can impact relationships, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing.

If you live with social anxiety, even everyday interactions—like speaking in a group, responding to messages, or making small talk—can feel overwhelming. You might spend hours replaying past conversations in your mind or worrying about future ones. For many people with maladaptive daydreaming (MD), the inner world becomes a refuge from these fears: a space where social connection feels safe, controlled, and affirming in a way that real life doesn’t. The fantasy-reality gap can become wider with time, making it more difficult to find your way back.

You might long to feel more confident and connected in real-life relationships—but also feel deeply stuck. You’re not alone in this. And you don’t have to navigate it alone either.

As a Clinical Psychologist with a strong interest in maladaptive daydreaming and complex emotional needs, I offer therapy that creates space for both your inner world and your desire for real-life connection—without judgment or pressure to change before you're ready.

How Social Anxiety and MD Intertwine

Social anxiety can lead to avoidance—of eye contact, social invitations, phone calls, or being seen in any way. Over time, this can lead to isolation and self-doubt. Maladaptive daydreaming may develop (or intensify) as a way to meet those unmet needs for connection, self-expression, and belonging—but on your own terms.

You may find yourself:

• Creating idealised versions of yourself or others in your daydreams

• Replaying or rewriting past social interactions to “fix” them or experience them differently

• Avoiding real-life relationships in favour of emotionally fulfilling fantasy ones

• Feeling shame, loneliness, or frustration about your difficulty connecting with others

There’s often a painful cycle: the more you escape into daydreams, the more disconnected you feel from real life—and the more anxious or unsure you become in social situations. Therapy can help gently interrupt this pattern, offering a way forward that honours both your emotional needs and your capacity for growth.

What Therapy Can Offer

Together, we’ll explore your experience of social anxiety and MD with curiosity and care. You don’t need to be ready to “give up” daydreaming or push yourself into uncomfortable situations. Instead, we can look at what feels hard for you, what you long for, and how your inner world has tried to meet those needs.

Depending on your goals, we might:

• Build insight into your anxiety around social situations and what fuels it

• Explore the role your daydreaming characters or scenarios play in your emotional life

• Work on developing confidence, assertiveness, and self-compassion

• Address the shame and self-criticism that often come with social anxiety

• Practice emotion regulation strategies to support you in real-time interactions

• Gradually reduce avoidance in a way that feels manageable and empowering

I draw from evidence-based approaches like CBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, always tailoring therapy to what feels most useful for you. Some clients prefer more structured support with practical tools; others value a reflective space where change unfolds more organically. Both are welcome here.

If you're feeling curious about therapy for social anxiety and MD, you're welcome to reach out. We can begin with an initial introductory call to explore what you'd like support with and whether working together feels like the right fit.