Creating new paths, together.
Psiot
Social Anxiety Support Groups
Sports walking groups for those who experience difficulty in a social environment.
A unique work model that was developed in order to provide a supportive response to those suffering from social anxiety and those who want to improve social skills by combining light physical activity, activity outside the clinic in a natural and open area, imparting knowledge, creating a space for processing, emotional regulation and weekly practice of what is learned.
coming soon
35-55 group
Closed group
More info later on
18+ open group
Open group
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25-35 group
Closed group
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18-24 group
Closed group
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Social Anxiety?
social anxiety, also known as social anxiety disorder or social phobia, is a mental health condition characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized by others. This fear can lead to significant distress and avoidance of social interactions, impacting daily life and activities.
Common Symptoms
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Fear of being judged or humiliated in social settings
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Avoidance of social situations, such as parties or public speaking
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Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or rapid heartbeat
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Excessive worry about upcoming social events
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Difficulty making eye contact or speaking in front of others
Causes
The exact cause of social anxiety is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Some potential contributors include:
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Family history of anxiety disorders
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Negative past experiences or trauma in social settings
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Overprotective or critical parenting
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Brain structure differences, particularly in areas related to fear and anxiety
Treatment Options
Social anxiety is treatable, and common approaches include:
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps change negative thought patterns and behaviors
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Medications: Such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to manage symptoms
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Exposure therapy: Gradual exposure to feared social situations to reduce anxiety
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Support groups: Connecting with others who have similar experiences
If you or someone you know is struggling with social anxiety, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.
What are Social Skills?
Social skills are a series of skills and abilities that allow a person to communicate and conduct themselves effectively in different social situations. These skills include verbal and non-verbal communication, understanding the emotions of others, resolving conflicts, and cooperating with others
Examples of social skills:
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Verbal communication: the ability to speak clearly and express ideas and feelings.
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Non-verbal communication: using body language, facial expressions and tone of voice to convey messages.
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Active listening: the ability to listen and understand what the other is saying, including giving appropriate feedback.
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Empathy: the ability to understand and feel the emotions of others.
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Conflict resolution: the ability to deal with disputes and find solutions that are acceptable to all parties.
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Cooperation: the ability to work together with others to achieve common goals.
The importance of social skills:
Social skills are critical to success in personal and professional life. They allow people to create and maintain relationships, work in teams, and deal with complex social situations
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Why groups?A common method of dealing with social anxiety is by exposure to the anxiety provoking setting. That helps deal with difficulty directly
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What's different about Psiot groups?The model works similarly to other social anxiety groups only the setting is outdoors. This allows for "Nature Exposure" to take place as well as light physical exercise and the feeling that one is not confined to one closed space.
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Why is this model important?Group members can choose when and how to interact with eachother when the group is outdoors. That way, one can jump in to a conversation as well as jump out of one at any point and join in once they feel confident and secure.
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Who guides the sessions?All sessions are guided by a mental health proffesional with intimate knowledge of psychology, physical exercise and performance
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What's the difference between "Closed" and "Open" groupsThere are 2 types of groups in Psiot: Closed - a set group of individuals (6-12) who meet up with the group, once a week, and there are no new members who join until the 8 week practice has completed. Open - an individual can join the group however many times they wish, for 1 session at a time. The group changes weekly in terms of the people in it and who they are. This type of group is great for practicing the skills learned in the Closed group and meeting new people each week.
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How long is each session?Every meet lasts approximately 1 hour
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What happens in the session?Each meet starts with meeting at a predefined location, quick discussion on the session goals and procedure and then the walk begins. Each session topic is different and addresses a social anxity or skill to be addressed. All sessions end with light stretching. Open group sessions end there, Closed group sessions end with homework for next session (procedural work)
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What are the age ranges?Each group type has its own age range, choose the age range group that suits you best. However, joining groups of highest agee range is recommended to expand exposure.
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Do i have to commit to a group for the entirety of it?Closed groups require commitment as we strive to make it active for all the group members. Open gruops require no commitment and you can jump in and out weekly at your discretion.
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I have more questions, who do i ask?Please see the contact us for below and fill it in, a representative of Psiot will contact you and will be happy to answer any question you may have