Social Anxiety
Therapy
with Dr. Ivey Burton
I integrate neuroscience with down-to-earth therapy to get at the root of what's holding clients back.
Do everyday moments that are “normal” feel like uphill battles?
Are you avoiding conversations or analyzing everything you said? Or asking, “Why can’t I just relax around people?”
The more you try to silence those thoughts about how you’re perceived, the stronger they feel. And when we’re focused on analyzing every possible social mistake, it fuels the anxiety cycle.
People Come To Me When They’re:
Stuck in thought loops
Worrying about how others see them
Avoiding “fun” activities
Trapped by fear of judgment
Difficult relaxing in casual settings
When anxiety takes over, what was supposed to be fun and enjoyable becomes another arena for fear and self doubt.
"Habit loops keep us stuck,
and reinforce themselves.”
How My Social Anxiety Therapy Helps
Together we’ll quiet the inner critic, build confidence in your own voice, and find enjoyment in daily interactions.
I help you understand what drives anxious thinking so that we can practice new strategies inside and outside the therapy room. I use evidence-based methods like:
-
Learning to take your anxiety with you, without letting it run the show, while staying focused on what matters to you.
-
Regulating emotions, cultivating present moment awareness, improving communication skills.
-
Explore and resolve ambivalence about change; focus on your own values and goals to strengthen motivation and confidence.
-
Emphasizing continued practice outside of sessions.
We set treatment goals so you can track your progress towards building the skills for staying present and grounded, even when you feel the fear rising.
After Social Anxiety Therapy With Me
After working together, clients report:
Greater freedom
Re-engaging in situations once avoided due to fear or distress
Less frequent experience of anxiety and enhanced resilience
Reduced concern about social judgment
Feeling of connection in relationships
Openness to stepping out of one’s comfort zone
Therapy with me isn’t about pretending fear doesn’t exist. It’s about learning to carry it with you, while still showing up for the life you want.
Client Testimonials
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Over the past year Dr. Ivey Burton has helped me learn more about my emotions and how to process them. She has taught me tools that I’m able to use in my everyday life that enable me to live a happier and healthier life. I’m very grateful for my sessions with her!
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Working with Dr. Burton was a pleasure.
I really appreciated that she was willing to challenge me when I needed it, she didn’t just nod along but helped me look at things from new angles. I’m also glad that she convinced me to give mindfulness another shot. Overall, she struck a great balance between being supportive and helping me grow. Was glad that we could bring discussions of music and comedy into therapy, too.
About Me
I have decades of experience in helping people face fears that once felt overwhelming.
Therapy with me is personal, practical, and collaborative. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. I combine approaches like DBT, ACT, always adjusting them to your unique needs.
I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and offer concrete strategies you can use right away. My approach balances depth and humor, helping clients engage with challenges in a more manageable way.
Beyond my clinical work, I maintain a lifelong commitment to athletics and well-being. I’m currently a masters swimmer, cyclist and an avid hiker who has climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked the Andes, Himalayas, and, closer to home, the Sierra Nevada range.
I share my home (and much of my heart) with my two furry children. I’m also a devoted music fan who enjoys playing piano and finding inspiration in live music. These experiences remind me of the importance of balance, persistence, and joy in life – the values I also bring to my work as a therapist.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles (1994)
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology (1992)
B.A. in Psychology, Rice University (1986)
Licensed Psychologist, California Board of Psychology #14900 (1996–present)
In practice for 33 years
Past teaching appointments at UCLA School of Medicine and King Drew Medical Center
Member, American Psychological Association
Member, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression and Anxiety (Russ Harris, M.D.) (2024)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Perfectionism and People Pleasing (Russ Harris, M.D.) (2024)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Grief and Loss (Russ Harris, M.D.) (2023)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills (Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.) (2023)
Education, Credentials, & Trainings
4 Steps to Get Started
-
Fill out the contact form. No perfection needed, share as much or as little as you need to.
-
We’ll chat for 15 minutes. You can ask questions, feel me out, and see if therapy with me is the right next step.
-
I’ll get to know what you are currently struggling with, your history, and make a plan on how we will approach our work together.
-
Regular sessions to understand your triggers, provide tools for grounding, and help you reclaim a sense of being present and in control of your life.