Find offline activities online (or arrange them yourself)

With her clients, Ms Rosser works to identify fears, the causes of inhibition, and figure out what’s being avoided and why.

To test the waters she suggests setting simple, straightforward goals. If you’re at a social event, it could be introducing yourself to one or two new people.

It’s important to remember if you don’t hit it off with someone new, it’s not due to failure on your part, she says.

“You are only responsible for 50 per cent of the conversation. If a conversation doesn’t go anywhere, don’t be overly critical of yourself,” she says.

When it comes to keeping in touch with existing friends, it’s all about regular contact, however small it may be, Ms Rosser says. Read more