About Shyness & Social Anxiety Service of Australia

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Sue Cleland B. A., B.Soc.Wk., M.A.A.S.W.

The Shyness & Social Anxiety Service of Australia was established by Sue Cleland after she herself recovered from the condition in 1999.  Sue lived with Social Anxiety Disorder for twenty years before receiving treatment and has now fully recovered.  During her recovery, Sue recognised a need in Australia for more specific information, guidance, understanding, treatment and support for people who are living with this extremely common, yet debilitating condition.  It is for these reasons that Sue established her private practice the Shyness & Social Anxiety Service of Australia.

Sue Cleland holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Melbourne, Victoria and is a current member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Sue Cleland has designed a very comprehensive and specific Anxiety Recovery Program which she has been facilitating since the year 2000.  The program is now being offered in an interactive self help format.

Sue is committed to decreasing the stigma of mental illness in our society and is becoming increasingly well known as a strong advocate for people who live with Anxiety Disorders.   In addition to the Shyness & Social Anxiety Service of Australia , Sue Cleland has also established Social Anxiety Australia and Anxiety Network Australia, two  Australia Wide Services empowering those whose lives are affected by any of the major Anxiety Disorders including Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia's, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through the provision of information, education and resources around Australia.  

Sue has had her work in the area of anxiety featured in the 'Courier Mail', 'Sydney Morning Herald', 'Good Medicine Magazine', many other community organisation papers and magazines, radio programs including ABC National, and Dr. Feelgood, as well as appearing on television and partaking in a documentary on anxiety.  Sue is often asked as a guest speaker at mental health forums, and established the first support group for people who live with Social Anxiety Disorder in Queensland.  If you would like to know more about the many varied and important service Sue Cleland offers our community in the area of Anxiety, visit her web page on this site. You can read Sue Cleland's story of recovery in the 'Personal Stories' Section of this web site.

Sue Cleland's story of recovery along with 30 other people from around the world has recently been published in a book called 'Overcoming Panic and Anxiety Disorders' by Jenna Glazter.  Each story has a commentary by Dr. Paul Foxman, the Director of the Centre for Anxiety Disorders Vermont U.S., and author of Dancing with Fear.  Here is what he said about Sue's story and the services she provides:

"Sue's story about social anxiety explains the condition more vividly and comprehensively than any textbook on the subject.  She emphasises a number of key features of social anxiety, and her website provides more helpful suggestions than many therapists have in their repertoire."
'Overcoming Panic and Anxiety Disorders', Glazter, J., 2002 p. 148 Hunter House Publishers, Alameda CA (USA)

This site was developed and is maintained by Sue Cleland.  If you have any questions or queries about Shyness & Social Anxiety Service of Australia, please contact Sue.  This is an independent and commercial free Service. 

Knowledge is empowerment, and if this site helps you take the first step to your recovery then I wish you all the best.  You have a right to live the life you choose - free from fear.

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Disclaimer...

This site is not intended as a means of disseminating medical advice. If medical advice is required it is advisable to seek expert medical assistance. This site contains links to other sites, practitioners and therapists providing health related materials, treatment and therapies. However, the content and materials, treatment and therapies provided by these third party sites, practitioners and therapists, are not produced by nor are they the responsibility of the author of this site.