I had a hard time with my T because I was the opposite; was as frightened as you but wouldn't show it so appeared too "stiff." My T pointed out that it's better to "be" what one feels, not try to hide it. I think if you work on being with people, only one or two at a time at first, gradually you'll get better at it.

I went to a meeting at my library to form a friends group and got a phone call a couple days later asking me if I would be secretary of the new group, that the president/founder had enjoyed talking to me and wanted me as secretary. I didn't even remember talking to the woman! But I took a chance and said yes (first time in my life) and was terrified but she was very supportive and we became good friends (I think of her as my mentor; she was an older woman, about 25 years older than I was at the time). I was just getting so I could talk on the phone; I'd always had to say "yes" to whoever called (my first phone call in my apartment was from the Fraternal Order of Police asking for money and even though I didn't have enough for myself, I "had to" agree to give them some) which is partly why I said yes when asked to be this organization's secretary. Coupled with my fear though is a desire to please/do as I say I'm going to do so I was trapped between a rock and a hard place. It turned out well for me. I "used' my friend's help along with my T to meet more people and do more things and it all was very helpful.

Do you have a T? Maybe you can find a friend who doesn't mind your shaking a bit and will help you with your fear and embarrassment. I know when there are people who I perceive as even more frightened than I am, I become less afraid and able to help them! Maybe helping someone else instead of "dealing" with them would help you too?

One mental trick that helps me is to tell myself I'm "excited" instead of "afraid" and try to look at whatever I'm about to do as an adventure instead of a frightening ordeal. I think of one or two daring (for me) things to do (specific things to say or people to talk to) and get involved in that "project" and then I'm not so focused on my fear. Sometimes I do things like decide I must greet the grocery store clerk and exchange a pleasantry or two or that I have to look the next 3 people I meet in the eye and say hello. Practice interacting with people does build a bit of confidence.