The Shyness Clinic
Research suggests that 40-60% of people consider themselves shy.
Shyness as a temperament is not considered problematic, and may even
be a strength, as those who are slow to warm up can be quite
perceptive to the environment and to the concerns and feelings of
others. Shyness can develop as a result of heredity and also
environmental factors (like family environment and experiences at
school). As an emotional experience, shyness is thought to combine
fear with interest.
Social anxiety is not necessarily the same thing as shyness,
although the two can co-exist. Social anxiety is nervousness or fear
in social situations that is often accompanied by negative thoughts
about the self or others as well as avoidance. Social anxiety is
also a normal experience in that virtually everyone feels anxious in
some social encounters. For about 10-16% of the population, social
anxiety causes significant distress and interference with life goals
(e.g., dating, friendships, and educational or occupational
opportunities).
At the Shyness Clinic, we work with people who have various
"levels" of shyness and social anxiety. Some people feel generally
socially comfortable, but struggle, for example, to participate
fully in work meetings due to negative thoughts about the self. Such
people may benefit from a handful of focused individual sessions.
Others have been shy and socially anxious since childhood and find
that many life experiences have been significantly and negatively
impacted by these issues. These people may choose either an
individual or group approach to target the symptoms and make
progress on goals that will get life moving in a more desired,
effective direction.
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Initial Evaluation
Each potential client will meet with a licensed clinical psychologist for 2-3 assessment sessions in order to determine which services will best meet a client’s needs. At the end of the assessment period, clients will be provided with diagnostic feedback as well as treatment recommendations
(Cost: $175 per 50-minute session)
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Adult & Young Adult Groups
Three-month and six-month CBT-based therapy groups led by a licensed clinical psychologist. The two-hour groups meet weekly and the focus of the groups is on understanding shyness, identifying and challenging anxious thoughts, addressing behavioral avoidance; social skills training and assertiveness training are also provided. (Cost: $90 per session)
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Adolescent Groups
Short term, CBT-based therapy groups for socially anxious children and teens.
(Cost: $90 per group session)
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Individual Therapy for Adults and
Adolescents
Individual CBT-based sessions focusing on the personal psychological needs of the client. These may be scheduled weekly or as needed.
(Cost: $175 per 50-minute session with a licensed clinical psychologist)
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Individual Telephone Consultations
Individual weekly sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist for clients who are unable to participate in our on-site programs. Sessions include a structured interview designed to identify specific anxiety-producing behaviors, clarify goals, explore skills training, etc. Number of sessions determined by the client.
(Cost: $175 per 50-minute session)
Public Education Classes
The Shyness Clinic offers public education classes
to help individuals improve their comfort level in social situations
and to decrease stress:
“Social Fitness”
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Learn how to stop shyness from interfering with
friendships, dating, career opportunities, and self-improvement
This course provides an overview of Dr. Henderson’s
Social Fitness Model. Students learn how to examine their core
beliefs and restructure negative thoughts. Structured discussions
and role-play exercises are designed to address areas in which those
who are socially anxious or shy commonly struggle.
Instructor: Amber Jenkins
Contact: (310) 383-8869
Brown Bag Lunch
“Mindful Social Fitness”
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Manage social stress with mindfulness training
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Increase curiosity, openness, exploration, &
willingness
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Take small steps that accord with your values
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Learn breathing exercises
This course will focus on learning to direct
attention in the way that we choose. Mindfulness training offers
stress-management skills and can enhance our interpersonal
interactions and overall quality of life.
Instructor: Satoko Kimpara
Contact: (650) 224-6692
The Shyness Clinic continues the pioneering work of Dr. Philip Zimbardo at Stanford University. The Stanford Shyness Clinic began in the late 1970's and offered the earliest comprehensive treatment program for shyness. In order to broaden the availability of these services, the Clinic was moved off-campus into the neighboring community of Palo Alto, and was renamed The Shyness Clinic. Since 1982. The Clinic has been headed by Dr. Lynne Henderson, a psychologist with thirty years of clinical experience. She developed the Social Fitness Model that is used in the Clinic today. Dr. Zimbardo currently serves as a research consultant.
The PGSP Kurt and Barbara Gronowski Clinic is now operating the Shyness Clinic as a specialty program. The Shyness Clinic is an evidence-based group and individual treatment program for treating individuals with social anxiety, avoidant personality problems and shyness. The Shyness Clinic follows a "mental wellness" or "social fitness model" of treatment with a focus on encouraging participants to expand their current capabilities.
We collect a substantial amount of data to study our program’s effectiveness. The most research has been done on adult group outcomes, and we have found reductions in: shyness, depression, avoidance, self-blame, shame, negative thoughts about others, suppressed anger, and reported physiological anxiety. We have found increases in assertiveness and self-expression. Treatment gains appeared to be maintained in a 5-year follow-up study.
The Shyness Clinic is dedicated to the belief that shyness and social phobia do not have to interfere with achieving professional and interpersonal goals. The pain of shyness can be relieved by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs, and learning new behaviors. Participants at the Clinic have opportunities to learn and to try new behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.
The
services of The Shyness Clinic are offered to the entire San Francisco Bay Area through its office located in Los Altos, CA, approximately 45 miles south of San Francisco. Related institutions include The Shyness Institute, a research-based institute, and The Social Fitness Center.
- The Shyness Clinic Director: Nicole Shiloff, Ph.D.
- Consultants:
Lynne Henderson, Ph.D., Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D.
- Post: 5150 El Camino Real, Suite C-23
Los Altos, CA 94022
- Telephone: (650) 961-9300
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Related institutions:
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Treatment at The Shyness
Clinic addresses the following issues:
Cognition (how do I
think?):
We work to identify and to
change automatic thinking patterns that interfere with social
interaction and social success.
Behavior (how do I
act?):
We teach participants how
to change behavior patterns that prevent them from reaching their
life goals of friendship, marriage, and/or a rewarding work life.
Physical arousal (how
do I stay calm?):
We help participants learn
to regulate physical discomfort (e.g., racing heart, sweaty palms)
when it interferes with social functioning, using physiological
reactions to enhance performance.
Emotion (what do I
feel?):
We help participants to
reduce feelings of shame and guilt. We assist them in setting
limits, claiming their voices, and getting their needs met.
Attribution style
(whose fault is it?):
We help participants to
learn to consider specific, temporary (situational), or external
circumstances as factors in failures and to give themselves credit
for successes.
Treatment Manuals
The Shyness Clinic follows
The Social Fitness Model. This model and techniques for
Getting Socially Fit are documented in the
Social Fitness Manuals, a set of manuals on Social
Fitness for therapists and clients is available for purchase through
the
Shyness Institute.
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