Hgm,
Depending where you live, there are many groups, and you can find a group where you feel comfortable. Where I live, there were different companies with the groups, and many different times. Remember that they are there for the same reason you are, but that didn't occur to me until I was thinking about responding to you. I found they allowed me all the time I wished to begin, since everybody goes through the same thing, and it's inexpensive.
Knowing what I know now about exposure(densitisation), I'd break up the venture into graduated bits that were easy to achieve. eg. making contact with the club executive people, then driving by, then going into the building. I even found a masseuse in the building, so I could relax before the meeting.
Feel free to post, and ask questions, and you'll get coaching, or ask friends, family, etc. without using our "lingo". You might want to make a tape of yourself now, since it would be so much more rewarding in the future.
And building a skill has no known side effects or contraindications except confidence.
