Social Anxiety Support

Lexine · 06-11-2009, 04:58 AM

Hi everyone,

I am a clinical psychologist and researcher at Macquarie University. I think it's great that so many of you are posting on this forum and supporting each other.

Within the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University (Sydney) we have a research clinic where we are trying to learn more about social anxiety, and how best to help people who experience it. Many of you have spoken openly (and bravely!) about the loneliness you experience, and the sense that life is passing you by. One of the goals of our clinic is to develop treatment programs to help people develop practical skills and strategies to cope with their anxiety, so they are able to get out and do the things they want to do with their life. We offer both individual and group treatments, which our clients find really beneficial as they have the opportunity to meet other people with similar concerns, and practice the skills with each other while they are learning them.

Our treatments are based on cognitive behavioural therapy, and so far our results have been very promising! Our research shows us that after treatment, people experience less symptoms of social anxiety (e.g. panicky feelings, shaking, blushing, sweating, mind blanks, dwelling on negative thoughts), and have been able to make significant improvements to their quality of life (things like finding a new job, getting back to study, or joining a sporting or social group). Our clients often report feeling more self confident and happier in their own skin.

I think it is really important that people are aware that there are steps you can take to get help for social anxiety. As some people on this forum have commented, being proactive is important! It takes a lot of courage to take that first step, but from what I have seen from my clients, it is worth it. Most of our treatment programs are supported by research funding, so we are able to offer them at very low cost to you (and some programs are free).

If you want to find out more about our programs, you can visit our websites:
www.psy.mq.edu.au/casp/
www.psy.mq.edu.au/muaru/
Phone us on 9850 8670 or email me at casp@psy.mq.edu.au

Wishing you all the best!
-Lexine

TorLin · 06-11-2009, 11:19 AM

spam?

there's two of these post...

supreme.mugwump · 06-11-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorLin

spam?

there's two of these post...

Nah it's not spam. One of the posts was in a different section and got moved. The details are on the Macquarie University website.

Ospi · 06-12-2009, 04:46 AM

Yeah. Aussies Universities are some of the best in the world with medical research as well. Wish you luck with your research and hope to come up with useful strategies over time!

SixFigures · 09-26-2009, 04:58 AM

I was thinking of going to this, but its at night and it involves catching 3 trains. Macquarie University is so out of reach unless you live nearby.

Lexine · 11-03-2009, 06:45 PM

Hi Six Figures,

I understand your concerns about transport to Macquarie University, but wanted to let you know that there is a new train station at the university. This means that you can catch one train directly from central or the city to get here.

Regarding your concerns about night treatment, we also have some day time therapy options. For example we are currently offering free individual treatment sessions with a qualified psychologist for social anxiety sufferers who also drink alcohol at harmful levels (more than 14 standard drinks per week for women, or more than 19 standard drinks per week for men). These sessions would be conducted at a time convenient to you, including during the day if that suits.

We have other day time treatment options. Call us on (02) 9850 8670, email casp@psy.mq.edu.au to discuss how we might accomodate your needs.

All the best

Lexine

06-11-2009, 04:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lexine Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Gender: Female Posts: 9	Help for Social Anxiety in Sydney Hi everyone, I am a clinical psychologist and researcher at Macquarie University. I think it's great that so many of you are posting on this forum and supporting each other. Within the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University (Sydney) we have a research clinic where we are trying to learn more about social anxiety, and how best to help people who experience it. Many of you have spoken openly (and bravely!) about the loneliness you experience, and the sense that life is passing you by. One of the goals of our clinic is to develop treatment programs to help people develop practical skills and strategies to cope with their anxiety, so they are able to get out and do the things they want to do with their life. We offer both individual and group treatments, which our clients find really beneficial as they have the opportunity to meet other people with similar concerns, and practice the skills with each other while they are learning them. Our treatments are based on cognitive behavioural therapy, and so far our results have been very promising! Our research shows us that after treatment, people experience less symptoms of social anxiety (e.g. panicky feelings, shaking, blushing, sweating, mind blanks, dwelling on negative thoughts), and have been able to make significant improvements to their quality of life (things like finding a new job, getting back to study, or joining a sporting or social group). Our clients often report feeling more self confident and happier in their own skin. I think it is really important that people are aware that there are steps you can take to get help for social anxiety. As some people on this forum have commented, being proactive is important! It takes a lot of courage to take that first step, but from what I have seen from my clients, it is worth it. Most of our treatment programs are supported by research funding, so we are able to offer them at very low cost to you (and some programs are free). If you want to find out more about our programs, you can visit our websites: www.psy.mq.edu.au/casp/ www.psy.mq.edu.au/muaru/ Phone us on 9850 8670 or email me at casp@psy.mq.edu.au Wishing you all the best! -Lexine

06-11-2009, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
TorLin Status: MayTheForceBeWithYou Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: California Gender: Male Posts: 17,056	spam? there's two of these post... __________________ MTFBWU (May The Force Be With You) - TORLIN AIM, MSN, YIM: T0RL1N Skype: Tor_Lin Visit me at; ToryLing.com \| LivingAnxious \| Facebook \| Myspace \| Last.fm

06-12-2009, 04:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ospi Status: Swoit Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Gender: Male Age: 22 Posts: 1,499	Yeah. Aussies Universities are some of the best in the world with medical research as well. Wish you luck with your research and hope to come up with useful strategies over time!

09-26-2009, 04:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
SixFigures Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Gender: Male Age: 29 Posts: 107	I was thinking of going to this, but its at night and it involves catching 3 trains. Macquarie University is so out of reach unless you live nearby.

11-03-2009, 06:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lexine Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Gender: Female Posts: 9	Hi Six Figures, I understand your concerns about transport to Macquarie University, but wanted to let you know that there is a new train station at the university. This means that you can catch one train directly from central or the city to get here. Regarding your concerns about night treatment, we also have some day time therapy options. For example we are currently offering free individual treatment sessions with a qualified psychologist for social anxiety sufferers who also drink alcohol at harmful levels (more than 14 standard drinks per week for women, or more than 19 standard drinks per week for men). These sessions would be conducted at a time convenient to you, including during the day if that suits. We have other day time treatment options. Call us on (02) 9850 8670, email casp@psy.mq.edu.au to discuss how we might accomodate your needs. All the best Lexine