For many in Woodland Hills and the greater Los Angeles area, the pressure to stay socially “on” can be exhausting—especially for those struggling with social anxiety. From community mixers and dating apps to industry networking events, the fast-paced SoCal lifestyle doesn’t leave much room to recharge. You may want time and space but feel that that would be impossible. I hear about this persistent struggle in my work as a social anxiety counselor in Woodland Hills. But social anxiety doesn’t have to hold you back from connection—you can thrive in a high-energy environment with the right strategies.

What Is Social Anxiety—and Why Is It Amplified in Places Like Woodland Hills?

Social anxiety is more than shyness. It’s a persistent fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in social situations. And when you live in an area like Woodland Hills—part of the larger, appearance- and performance-driven LA culture—those fears can feel even more intense. Trends can pop up out of seemingly nowhere, culture can appear to shift, and you can feel as though one event could make or break you.

Signs of Social Anxiety in Fast-Paced Communities:

• Overthinking what to say or how you come across.
• Avoiding events or social invites out of fear.
• Physical symptoms like sweating, racing heart, or stomach discomfort before or during social events.
• Feeling mentally drained after interactions, even when they go well.
• Worrying about being “awkward” or “not good enough” in a crowd.

2 Localized Tools for Managing Social Anxiety in Woodland Hills

1 – Start Small and Local

As big as a city may be, there are always smaller communities within that can offer more of a cozy environment. You can participate in these communities by attending local events that aren’t overwhelming in size and scale, thereby making supportive connections and proving to yourself that you are capable of socializing.

• All practice is practice. You don’t need to start with a crowded networking mixer. Try lower-pressure environments like:
  • A cozy coffee shop meetup – you may invite a few people you know from the neighborhood, or find a posting about one organized by others. Lots of groups connect online and also organize in-person events; are you a member of any groups related to your hobbies, passions, or work?
  • A small class at a local studio (yoga, pottery, etc.) can help you to socialize without the pressure of persistent eye contact and empty space for dialogue. When you attend a class, you engage in listening, watching, trying, adjusting, and also chatting. Looking at something you are painting while you are chatting can help you to feel less exposed. Knowing the instructor will interrupt in order to teach you the next step can help you feel less pressure to “have something to say”.
  • A volunteer opportunity with a small team can help you to invest your time in something meaningful and align you with people with similar values. In this instance, you are all there because you care about the project. This does away with the need to suss someone out when it comes to their feelings about this particular issue; a lot of pressure and stress can arise by not knowing the values of the person you’re talking to. Within a small team, you can make connections with others who you know align with your purpose and point of view, and like taking a class, you can build these bonds without the pressure of an open-ended one-on-one conversation.
• Don’t underestimate the power of practice. You may feel that you’re “not doing enough” if you aren’t tackling massive functions, but in actuality, you are building, strengthening, and practicing skills that will support you in rooms of any size. These smaller events give you the chance to build confidence in real-world settings without the overwhelming energy of large events. The ultimate goal is to be interacting with the world without it costing you too much. In the past, you may have had your peace come at the expense of your social life. The truth is that isolation is not a solution for social anxiety; the urge to avoid socializing in order to avoid anxiety is understandable, but not supportive in the long-term. We all need social connection in some way, shape, or form.

2 – Prepare Before Social Settings

Showing up physically is a great achievement, and one made easier by doing the work to show up mentally. Preparation isn’t about rumination, it’s about taking concrete steps that help you to feel confident about going to an event. Those we see for social anxiety therapy in Woodland Hills benefit from honing their pre-event routine.

• Come up with a way to prepare that you don’t have to tailor (too much) to the event. Whether it’s a dating event at The Commons or a professional mixer in Calabasas, preparation helps. Having a go-to preparation routine can help you step into a positive mindset before you attend a social function; doing roughly the same thing every time will help you to normalize both getting ready and going out. For example, if you like to make sure you’ve moved your body at some point in the day before an event, if you recognize that it’s important to be well-fed and well-hydrated, if you have a certain playlist that helps you feel confident and energized. Knowing what works for you and what sets you up for success is half the battle. Some people like to journal and collect their thoughts, others like to listen to certain music.
• Know what you want to say. Of course, you can’t predict how an entire conversation will go. But you can prepare some open-ended conversation starters that can help get you started. Have a few go-to conversation starters ready (e.g., “Have you been to this place before?” or “What brought you here tonight?”). Remember that it takes two people to converse; if someone responds in a way that doesn’t continue the conversation, then that is on them. You can only control your own contributions and efforts. Don’t take it personally if someone isn’t a chatting phenom; they might be nervous, too! If you’re attending a very specific or niche event, it might help you to research it beforehand. Who is the artist, when was this company founded, who is the host? Questions of that nature can help you feel prepared, even if in the end you’ll say, “I’m just learning about this artist,” or, “I’m new to the company,” or, “I’ve only met the host once.” A little bit of knowledge and information can give you a foundation and help you get your bearings without you having to memorize an entire resume or research the history of the building you’re standing in.
• Utilize tactics that align with who you really are. Remind yourself of your strengths beforehand and set a small, realistic goal—like staying for 30 minutes or talking to one new person. Don’t undervalue skills like listening, or asking follow-up questions – you are not responsible for carrying a conversation, and some people really appreciate being listened to. We talk a lot about surprising or underacknowledged social skills in our Woodland Hills social anxiety therapy sessions; you may be neglecting to recognize what you have to offer. You may choose to keep a note about your strengths and review it before an event, or come up with affirmations that remind you, such as, “I see the good in people,” or, “I have a curious mind”. Bringing your strengths into the situation and pursuing a small social goal will set you up for success. Don’t forget to acknowledge yourself when you achieve that goal – repeated success is how we build confidence. You don’t need to meet your goal every time, just most of the time.

Key Takeaways

• Social anxiety can feel more intense in fast-moving, image-conscious cities like Woodland Hills and Los Angeles—but you’re not alone.
• A fear of missing out can feel heightened when things seem to move and change quickly where you are; having FOMO can make social anxiety feel even worse.
• Starting with smaller, familiar settings and using preparation tools can reduce overwhelm and build confidence.
• Growth doesn’t happen all at once—it’s okay to take things one conversation at a time.
• Having a pre-event routine that sets you up to feel confident and be a game-changer, and allows you to take control of the aspects of social anxiety that are within your control. 
• Remember that you cannot control the actions and choices of others; you can do your best to show up with kindness and the rest is not your responsibility.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a safe, judgment-free space to explore what’s beneath your social anxiety and develop tools to manage it in real-life settings. You may choose to attend in-person or online social anxiety therapy. Whether through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), exposure-based techniques, or mindfulness work, therapy can help you feel more grounded and capable—no matter how fast the city moves.

Social Anxiety Therapy in Woodland Hills 

Social anxiety is more than just shyness—it’s an intense fear of judgment that often spirals into catastrophic thinking. Over time, this fear can shrink your world, leading to last-minute cancellations, avoidance of social invitations, and growing isolation. If you’re feeling stuck in this cycle, know that support is available. At our Woodland Hills office—or virtually—our CBT specialist offers effective treatment for Social Anxiety using a blend of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques. Together, we’ll help you build confidence, break free from avoidance, and reclaim your social life.
Contact us today for your complimentary 20-minute phone consultation with our Admin Team today!