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Do you fear:
- public speaking
- acting assertively
- meeting new people
- initiating and/or participating in conversations
- job interviews
- dealing with authority figures
- eating in public
- writing in public
- performing ( e.g. singing, acting, playing a
musical instrument)
Catherine Madigan is a Melbourne Clinical psychologist
who specialises in the treatment of social anxiety.
She is offering a group cognitive behavioural therapy
program for social anxiety sufferers. Catherine has
been offering this group program for over 8 years
and has conducted these groups for both the public
mental health system and as part of her private practice.
The Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service & job
placement agencies have referred clients to ‘Overcoming
Shyness and Social Anxiety’.
Catherine’s work with social anxiety sufferers
has been featured in publications such as ‘The
Age’, The Herald Sun’, ‘New Idea’,
‘For Me’ & ‘Women’s Health
& Fitness’ magazine. Click
here to read an article about Catherine's work.
The ‘Overcoming Shyness & Social Anxiety’
program teaches cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques
(e.g. slow breathing, isometric relaxation) and provides
the opportunity for participants to role play their
feared social situations (exposure therapy).
N.B. People who do not wish to role play can opt
out.
The program also covers the roles: medication, exercise,
nutrition & lifestyle factors can play in alleviating
social anxiety. There is a strong emphasis on increasing
participants self esteem.
There is homework given after each session and the
homework involves: reading, practising relaxation
techniques learnt in the group and completing sheets
& workbooks.
The major advantages of a group program is that it
(1) provides participants with the opportunity to
role play feared social situations in a friendly,
supportive environment, (2) allows sufferers to see
that others face similar difficulties in life and
(3) can provide an avenue for making new friends.
The number of participants is limited to 8 to
ensure everyone receives adequate attention so book
early to avoid disappointment.
Individual sessions are also available for people
who do not wish to do a group.
Please ring to arrange an individual session prior to booking for the group. This is to ensure that group therapy is appropriate for you and to obtain information about the difficulties you are experiencing. |
Social
Phobia 
