Public speaking anxiety can affect people at any stage of their career and may arise even when someone has considerable experience of presenting or speaking in front of others.
For some people, anxiety begins well before a presentation or speaking engagement. For others, it becomes noticeable when they stand up to speak, are unexpectedly asked a question or become aware that attention is focused on them.
Public speaking anxiety may involve physical symptoms, anxious thoughts, fear of judgement, self-consciousness or concern about forgetting what you want to say. It can occur during presentations, speeches, meetings, interviews, lectures, conferences and other situations where you are required to speak in front of others.
“I went to see Annette to overcome an anxiety issue related to public speaking and situations where I felt under stress. I felt the issue was stopping me from being as effective at work as I could be. What I got from the sessions is so much more however. Annette helped me to change my perception on a number of levels. With the work we did together I came to realise that I had developed some bad habits in terms of how I thought about certain things. I’ve always spent time and money on making sure I’m physically healthy, but never before had I done this for my mind. It’s been the best investment I could ever make. After just a few weeks of seeing her, I feel so much happier, less stressed, more in control, relaxed and confident. It’s touched every area of my life, not just work. Annette has equipped me with a great toolkit for understanding and coping with public speaking anxiety, so much so that I’ve signed up to speak at a conference in the near future! I can’t recommend Annette’s work highly enough. If you’re unsure whether to get in touch with her, I would say it’s likely to be the best investment you could make and you’re worth it – get in touch with her! I wish I had done it years ago.”
Why Does Public Speaking Anxiety Happen?
Speaking in front of an audience can activate the body's stress response. This may result in physical sensations such as:
- Butterflies in the stomach
- Sweating or feeling hot
- Changes in breathing
- A racing or noticeably stronger heartbeat
- Shaking or feeling physically tense
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling that your mind has gone blank
Alongside these physical responses, people may worry about being judged, making a mistake, forgetting what they want to say or appearing visibly nervous.
Anticipating these reactions can itself become part of the anxiety surrounding public speaking.
Working With Public Speaking Anxiety
My approach combines Solution Focused Therapy, coaching, clinical hypnotherapy and evidence-informed psychological approaches according to the individual and the particular speaking situations they are experiencing.
Our work may involve exploring anticipatory anxiety, fear of judgement, patterns of thinking associated with speaking under pressure and the physical responses that can accompany anxiety.
Depending on your circumstances, sessions may incorporate therapeutic discussion, coaching, cognitive reframing, guided relaxation, visualisation, clinical hypnosis and practical strategies that can be used when preparing for or approaching speaking situations.
Hypnosis is optional. Sessions can also focus entirely on therapeutic discussion, coaching and practical psychological approaches if you would prefer not to include hypnosis.
Presentations, Meetings & Speaking Under Pressure
Public speaking anxiety does not only occur when addressing a large audience.
It may become noticeable during:
- Workplace presentations
- Meetings and professional discussions
- Interviews and assessments
- Conferences and panel discussions
- Lectures and teaching
- Speeches and formal events
- Media appearances
- Auditions and performances
- Online presentations and video calls
- Situations where you are required to speak spontaneously
For some people, public speaking is the principal difficulty. For others, it forms part of broader performance anxiety, workplace anxiety, social anxiety or confidence difficulties.
Who I Work With
I have worked with adults experiencing public speaking and performance-related anxiety for over fourteen years.
Clients come from a wide range of professional, creative and public-facing backgrounds, including business, law, healthcare, education, media and the performing arts.
I have worked with professionals including lawyers, managers, lecturers, broadcasters, actors, musicians and others whose work requires them to communicate or perform in front of other people.
Sessions are tailored to the individual, their circumstances and the particular situations in which speaking anxiety occurs.
Sessions are available in person at my Bristol practices in Clifton and Queen Square, as well as online throughout the UK.
The Next Step
If public speaking anxiety is affecting your work, confidence or willingness to speak in particular situations, you are welcome to get in touch to explore whether my approach may be helpful.
Please contact hello@annettesloly.com to arrange an initial consultation.
Explore further
Areas of Work
Anxiety
Anxiety becomes a problem when it starts affecting daily life. Hypnotherapy can enhance confidence and self-assurance while lessening intense fear and worry. Together, we develop practical skills to manage difficult situations, feel more at ease and redirect attention towards helpful possibilities.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety can create a persistent fear of judgement, self-consciousness and overthinking before, during and after everyday interactions. Personalised Solution Focused Therapy and clinical hypnotherapy can help you regulate anxiety, respond more flexibly and feel more comfortable being yourself around other people.
Confidence
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help strengthen self-confidence through constructive, goal-oriented work. We develop strategies that foster self-acceptance, transform unhelpful beliefs and help you approach everyday and high-pressure situations with greater trust in your abilities.
Fear of Blushing
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help manage blushing by addressing the anxiety and emotional sensitivity that often trigger it. Reframing negative thoughts, developing healthier coping responses and building confidence can help you feel more at ease and less judged in social situations.
Workplace Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety in meetings, interviews and professional conversations by strengthening confidence and reducing fear and worry. Learning to regulate emotions and manage post-event rumination can help you focus, perform effectively and approach workplace situations with greater ease.
Exam Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help alleviate exam anxiety by teaching you how to evoke calm, improve concentration and strengthen confidence. Tailored stress-management, visualisation and empowerment strategies can help you approach examinations and assessments with a clearer, more focused mind.
Stage Fright
When nerves overshadow rehearsals, auditions or performances, hypnotherapy can help strengthen calm confidence while reducing fear and self-doubt. Together, we build mental and physical skills that help you stay grounded, remain present and perform with greater freedom.
Fear of Flying
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help change unhelpful perceptions of flying and replace anxiety with greater confidence. Positive self-talk, breathing techniques and guided imagery can help regulate the nervous system before and during a flight, making travel feel more manageable.
Stress
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you feel more empowered and in control when managing stress. Personalised techniques support a more helpful mindset, improve resilience and help the nervous system function more effectively, building skills you can continue to use through future challenges.
