Can therapy improve social skills?

[Tacohell]

I used to always be nervous in social situations but I think overall I was decent at socializing but I think the pandemic + being out of high school has really messed me up. I barely leave the house (I got to CC and have had most classes online) and I have started to notice that I am extremely uncomfortable in public. I don't know if it is a real issue to bring up in therapy because it just sounds like I need to get out more but I don't even know where to go to talk to people (what do adults even do for fun). I also do not want to go outside. Also what do adults do for fun?

 

[Foresight]

I do think therapy can help with mild to moderate cases of social anxiety. Therapy usually depends on the quality and expertise of the therapist.

I actually like some of the lectures and advice Jordan Peterson has given on social anxiety. You can find that on youtube.

 

[Someone123]

I do think that videos on youtube about this topic are likely to be much more helpful than therapy, since if one isn't working for you you can switch to another until you find someone who is most helpful to you- plus it's free. Sadly, there is a built in probelm with therapy- the longer they can drag your problem out the more money they make- this is a financial incentive that does not help. On youtube the more helpful they can be the more views they will get, so the incentives are just right on youtube. Search how to make friends, how to connect with people, how to start a relationship., etc., etc.

 

[Jude]

Your concern is valid and you can totally talk about it with a therapist if you'd like to! My therapist gave me some generalized advice like interacting with people more, reaching out to friends, etc, but just talking to her was making socializing less stressful. I found group therapy to be really helpful too.
Idk what other adults do for fun either. I used to live in a big city and there's always new things to do, but now I just read books and bake.

 

[Someone123]

Your concern is valid and you can totally talk about it with a therapist if you'd like to! My therapist gave me some generalized advice like interacting with people more, reaching out to friends, etc, but just talking to her was making socializing less stressful. I found group therapy to be really helpful too.
Idk what other adults do for fun either. I used to live in a big city and there's always new things to do, but now I just read books and bake.

It sounds like you had a very positive experience with therapy, which is excellent- I personally did not, the therapist just talked about herself, it was terrible, but there are good ones out there.

 

[Pluto]

It helps enormously if you can attend meetups (eg. meetup.com) based on subjects of interest. Socialising in a generic situation is something I wouldn't even attempt. I'd love to make a pro-choice meetup group, but I suspect the federal police would RSVP.

 

[hans0solo]

the pandemic involves billions of people hiding out in their rooms for about 2 years. we are all dealing with a withdrawal from socializing. I would imagine if you asked strangers on the street, they would agree. I know I go to work, maybe go shopping and go home. In the last 2 years, I went to 1 movie, 1 book store, a few restaurants. So allow yourself to ease back into being around people at your own slow pace. hobbies: reading book. I started to use DuoLingo. attend facebook/video events on things I find interesting.