I'm glad they gave you some advice about what to do next. Sounds like your doc thinks you do need some extra help.

I've found that counseling really helps with social phobia (if that's what's going on). You don't have to tell anyone you're going. I go to a huge school in the midwest and thousands (seriously) of students go to our counseling center at some point for stress or making transitions or whatever.

It doesn't make you soft to go to a therapist and get help for a problem, just like if you had epilepsy it wouldn't make you soft to go to the doctor. I'm glad you went ahead and asked at your doc's office. I hope you keep posting, too!