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How Brain Mapping Can Reveal the Roots of Social Anxiety

What Is Brain Mapping and How Does It Work?

Brain mapping, or qEEG (quantitative electroencephalography), measures electrical activity across various regions of the brain. The data collected reveals how well these regions are functioning and whether there are irregular patterns that may be influencing thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses.

The process involves placing sensors on the scalp to detect and record brainwave activity. These patterns are then analyzed and compared to a normative database, helping clinicians visualize neurological imbalances with remarkable precision.

How Brain Mapping Identifies the Roots of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety isn’t just psychological—it often has measurable neurological components. Brain mapping can reveal specific dysfunctions, such as:

  • Overactivity in the amygdala or limbic system, which can amplify fear and emotional reactivity.
  • Underactivity in the prefrontal cortex, reducing rational processing and emotional regulation.
  • Hyperarousal patterns, often in the beta frequency range, which are associated with worry, overthinking, and self-consciousness.

By identifying these patterns, brain mapping for social anxiety allows professionals to target the exact neurological mechanisms contributing to someone’s symptoms, rather than relying on guesswork.

Personalized Treatment Based on Brain Mapping

Once brain mapping reveals the unique patterns linked to social anxiety, clinicians can design a customized treatment plan that may include:

  • Neurofeedback Therapy to retrain the brain into more stable and balanced activity.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a focus on the regions of the brain that are under- or over-functioning.
  • Mindfulness or relaxation techniques tailored to the client’s neurological profile.

This integrative approach significantly increases the chance of meaningful, lasting progress.

brain mapping for social anxietyReal-Life Benefits of Brain Mapping for Social Anxiety

  • Clear Understanding of the Problem: Clients gain insight into how their brain contributes to their symptoms.
  • More Effective Interventions: Treatment becomes tailored, not generic.
  • Progress Tracking: Future brain maps can objectively show improvement in brain function.
  • Enhanced Self-Esteem: Clients feel empowered knowing that their challenges have a biological component that can be addressed.

Is Brain Mapping Right for You or a Loved One?

If you or someone you care about experiences persistent social anxiety and hasn’t found relief through traditional methods, it might be time to explore brain mapping for social anxiety. At Connected Brain Counseling, our brain mapping process helps uncover the underlying neurological causes of social anxiety so that healing becomes not only possible—but measurable.

  • Neuroimaging and Social Anxiety Disorder – How modern brain scans identify neural correlates of social anxiety. Link
  • qEEG-Guided Neurofeedback for Anxiety Disorders – Exploring brain-based treatment planning. Link
  • Social Anxiety and Brain Function – Understanding neurological patterns in socially anxious individuals. Link

 

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Pauly Munn, MA, LPC

Individual & Couples Counselor; Neurofeedback Clinician; EMDR-Trained (PhD Candidate)

Pauly is a Colorado native who received his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regis University, and is a current doctoral candidate for a PhD in Clinical Psychology program at Fielding Graduate University. Pauly is an empathetic counselor who believes in a compassionate, yet direct approach to therapy. Pauly believes his clients are the experts of their experience. Through a collaborative lens, clients who work with Pauly are able to gain meaningful insight into their experience which in-turn provides the essential resources for navigating change and/or healing emotional wounds. Pauly utilizes an integrated trauma-informed lens blended with evidence-based modalities including ACT, CBT, EFT, and more. Pauly specializes in working with adult individuals and couples, with several years of experience working directly with a broad range of presenting challenges including relationship challenges, PTSD & complex trauma, substance use disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and more. More importantly, Pauly believes in building a safe space in which each and every one of his clients feels seen & heard. Pauly identifies as a Latino-American, and is passionate about conducting therapy utilizing a social justice & diversity-informed lens. Pauly has a strong background working with multicultural identities, and believes in the importance of recognizing our unique differences. Pauly loves staying active through basketball, tennis, volleyball, hiking, dancing, strength training, and more. Additionally, Pauly spends time actively engaging in ongoing research projects in trauma, social justice, and neuropsychology.

Pauly's Specialties

  • Depression
  • Complex Trauma
  • Couples Counseling
  • EMDR Trained
Work With Pauly

Brianna Herrera, MA, LPCC

Individual & Couples Counselor; Neurofeedback Clinician

Brianna believes in a holistic approach to counseling, integrating mind, body, and spirit in her work with clients. She strives to help clients weave the various aspects of their lives together through a collaborative approach, meeting her clients where they’re at and partnering with them to create lasting change and a greater sense of wholeness in their lives. Brianna seeks to create a grounding and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with freedom and authenticity. She embraces a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities to best meet her clients’ specific needs and goals, such as trauma-informed CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based techniques, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and humanistic approaches. In her work with couples, Brianna focuses on helping partners improve communication, strengthen their emotional connection, and navigate challenges such as conflict resolution, intimacy issues, and life transitions. She believes that life-giving, functioning relationships are foundational to a person’s sense of well-being. Brianna is certified in facilitating both SYMBIS and Prepare-Enrich couples counseling sessions. In her free time, she can often be found adventuring outside with her husband and pup, hosting a game night, or enjoying time with community.

Brianna's Specialties

  • Couples + Dating Therapy
  • Pre/Postpartum
  • Anxiety
  • Women's Issues
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Sydney Focht, MA, LPC

Clinical Director & Counselor

I specialize in working with women in their 20s to 50s who struggle with self-worth, self-esteem, and the guilt that often comes with prioritizing themselves. Finding self-trust and the ability to feel worthy of happiness are common topics in my work. My clients tend to put off therapy because they downplay their struggles, describing their pain as ‘not that big of a deal.’ Many of them grew up in households where expressing emotions wasn’t encouraged and they are still looking for security now. My goal is to create a space where you feel completely free to be yourself—no pressure, no expectations. Therapy with me isn’t about either of us being ‘perfect’—it’s more about you feeling safe, seen, and supported as you figure things out in a way that works for you. I prioritize meaningful conversations that get to the heart of the issue, getting to the root and out of surface level conversation quickly. Going through my own therapy has given me a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be in the client’s seat, and it’s made me even more passionate about helping others find the support that truly works for them. My clients describe me as focused, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and down-to-earth. I truly love what I do and that comes through in my work! I’m a person-centered therapist, but I often integrate elements of Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and IFS.

Sydney's Specialties

  • Perfectionism
  • Eating Disorders
  • Grief/Loss
  • Women's Issues
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Cassandra Keller, MA, LPCC

Neurofeedback Clinician & Counselor (EMDR-Trained)

I support adults and teens (15+) who are ready to find relief from trauma, anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck in life, career, or identity transitions. Using a compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative approach, I help clients reconnect with themselves and move toward balance and resilience. I’m EMDR-trained and draw from person-centered, gestalt, DBT, and somatic practices. Whether we’re working with the nervous system, processing painful memories, or exploring patterns with curiosity, my goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where you feel supported, present, and empowered to grow. I especially enjoy working with athletes, creative people, students, and outdoor adventurers who value resilience, beauty, and balance. Alongside therapy and grounding practices, I also offer neurofeedback as another powerful pathway for nervous system regulation and healing. Outside the office, you’ll often find me climbing, fly fishing, running trails, foraging, or relaxing in the grass under the aspens. My love for movement, play, and nature continually inspires how I show up with clients.

Cassandra's Specialties

  • Trauma and Developmental Trauma
  • Nervous System Regulation
  • Anxiety
  • Mind-Body Connection
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