Social Anxiety Therapy in Allen, Texas.
Become More Confident, Connected, and Yourself Again
A brief, no-pressure call to see if we’re a good fit.
Evidence-based counseling for teens and adults
from Dr. Matt Bedell, PsyD, LPC-S.
Compassionate, judgment-free support to help you move
through the world with more ease, clarity, and connection.
You’re not alone.
Social anxiety is more common than you think.
Social anxiety can show up in ways that feel confusing, isolating, and exhausting, even if no one else notices. You might find that:
Conversations replay in your mind for hours
You avoid situations because you’re afraid of being judged
You feel disconnected even when you’re around people
Your body reacts with tension, racing thoughts, or panic
You want more confidence, yet anxiety keeps getting in the way
You’re not broken. And you don’t have to keep doing this alone.
How Social Anxiety Shows Up in Daily Life
Social anxiety can quietly shape your day-to-day experience; not because you’re weak, it’s because your body is trying to protect you. Many people notice:
Overthinking and self-criticism that replay conversations for hours
Avoiding situations that matter because the fear of judgment feels overwhelming
Feeling disconnected even when you’re around people you care about
You’re not exaggerating your struggle, and you’re not alone.
Start Feeling More at Ease in Social Situations
With the right guidance, social anxiety can become manageable, one step at a time.
Social Ease is a supportive, step-by-step approach designed to help you feel calmer, more confident, and more connected. You don’t have to figure this out alone; everyone has a different starting point, so we’ll move at your pace, with practical tools that genuinely work.
Personalized Strategy Session
A no-pressure, guided 1:1 conversation where we understand your starting point, clarify your goals, and map your next steps.
Evidence-Based Techniques
Tools drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, exposure work, and trauma- and shame-sensitive approaches.
Practical Skill Building
Learn simple, effective techniques you can use immediately in real situations.
Ongoing Support and Guidance
A calm, consistent space to learn, grow, and feel understood, while never being judged.
Meet Matt Bedell, PsyD, LPC-S, LCDC
-
I’ve seen how social anxiety quietly reshapes a person’s life. Not because they’re broken, it’s because their nervous system is trying to protect them. My work is rooted in a simple belief: when people understand what their anxiety is trying to do for them, they can finally stop fighting themselves and start growing.
My goal is to help clients feel safe enough to explore that inner world with compassion instead of judgment. -
Social anxiety isn’t “shyness.” It’s the constant fear of being judged, rejected, or exposed, and the shame that follows.
This inner struggle affects decision-making, confidence, relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. People don’t get stuck because they’re weak; they get stuck because avoidance temporarily protects them… and then quietly takes over.When clients begin to understand this cycle, things begin to shift.
-
I go deeper than symptom management.
Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, exposure work, and a shame-lens approach, I help clients build psychological flexibility, understand their emotional patterns, and reconnect with what matters most.
It’s not about erasing anxiety; it’s about changing your relationship with it so you can move toward the life you want with strength and clarity. -
You can expect a grounded, collaborative process.
We’ll slow things down, understand what’s driving your anxiety, and build skills you can use in real moments, not just in session.
My role is to guide, support, and help you take meaningful steps toward confidence, connection, and long-term growth.
And while it might be hard to believe at first, you’ll learn quickly that I will never judge you. I’m here to understand how you see things, not to criticize or fix you.
-
While no therapist can promise outcomes, I consistently see clients become more present, more self-compassionate, and more connected.
They develop the emotional capacity to stay engaged in conversations, relationships, work, and daily life.
Most importantly, they learn to trust themselves again, and that changes everything.
Education:
Doctor of Psychology
Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Bachelor of Arts (2) in Psychology and History
Texas Licenses:
Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor #78075
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor #16238
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - Trained
How It Works
Schedule Your Free 15-minute Consultation Call
A quick, low-pressure call to understand what’s been going on and what you’re hoping for. We slow things down, get clear on what’s driving your anxiety, and decide together whether this path feels right.
Get a Personalized Plan That Meets You Where You Are
If we’re a good fit, we’ll map out a simple, realistic plan based on what you’re struggling with most: avoidance, shame, rumination, physical panic, or social fears. Nothing cookie-cutter. Just the next right steps for you.
Build Confidence Through Supportive, Real-Life Practice
You’ll learn practical tools to use in the moments that matter: conversations, invitations, presentations, or everyday interactions. Over time, you’ll feel more grounded, more connected, and less controlled by fear.
FAQ
-
We move slowly, talk through what’s been weighing on you, and help you feel grounded before we do anything else. You won’t be pushed to open up before you’re ready, and you’ll always get clear guidance on what we’re doing and why.
-
First, all emotions are okay, including feeling awkward. Most people with social anxiety expect therapy to feel uncomfortable, and then realize it’s actually a relief. My job is to help you feel safe, understood, and not judged. You never have to “perform” here.
-
You’re not expected to know what to say. If you have a topic in mind, great! If not, I guide the conversation so you’re never left hanging or feeling pressured.
You don’t need the “right words,” and you don’t need to be good at talking about your feelings. We slow things down, clarify often, and make sure you feel understood.
Most clients are surprised by how natural it feels, and over time, they actually look forward to coming in and sharing.
-
Typically weekly in the beginning so you can build momentum. However, we decide together based on your needs, availability, and what feels sustainable.
Most people start with 3 weekly appointments to gauge how often they want to come in.Also know that nothing’s cemented, if we start every other week and decide more support is ideal, we can switch back and forth!
-
Most clients start noticing small shifts, such as greater clarity, less avoidance, and fewer shame spirals, within the first few weeks. Social anxiety takes time, but we’ll track progress together so you can see what’s changing. We can use surveys like the LSAS or psychological flexibility measures. Or, we reflect often and remember “to feel good, we need to let the good in.”
-
“After chaos comes clarity.” If this occurs, I slow things down with you, help you regulate, and make sure the session stays manageable. Your comfort and safety come first, always.
Typically, we notice the signs of feeling overwhelmed and use the moment to return to safety and learn what brought that response to the surface.
Paradoxically, if we are going to feel overwhelmed or experience panic, the office is the best place to do so.
For more FAQ: Click Here
“Courage isn’t the absence of discomfort; it’s the willingness to stay open when every part of you wants to shut down.
Real change begins the moment we choose connection over protection, even in small ways.”
— Matt Bedell, PsyD, LPC-S, LCDC