Reply #38: Interesting question. I was wondering the same thing.

[TygrBright]

Most of the therapists I know of are pretty much reality-therapy types, teaching cognitive behavioral imaging, working on prolonged exposure therapies for trauma management, etc.

I don't know where something like this would fall on the spectrum of internal/external origins and how it would be approached as a therapeutic issue.

I suspect a fair amount of attention to getting her to articulate the basis for her anxiety, then dissecting it in the light of day, might be a fruitful, if slightly risky approach.

Most fears and anxieties tend to get less acute when you can look them over in detail, in a safe place, with a supportive person to help you compare them to reality, etc.

Good for her that she's willing to get help. I hope it's the start of a whole new approach to life for her. Life is a lot easier when you can look at it as being full of interesting potential friends, as opposed to scary potential enemies.

compassionately,
Bright