Performance anxiety, often referred to as stage fright, can affect both experienced performers and people who are relatively new to performing in front of others.
It may arise before or during a performance, audition, broadcast, presentation or other situation involving visibility or evaluation. For some people, it is primarily physical, involving changes in breathing, heart rate, muscle tension or voice. For others, it may involve self-consciousness, anxious thoughts, difficulty concentrating or concern about how they will perform.
Performance anxiety does not necessarily reflect a lack of ability or preparation. It can occur even when someone is experienced and highly competent in what they do.
“Annette has been a huge help for me in my performing life. She has given me the tools to find confidence and strength, and to centre myself at difficult times. It is always a pleasure to go in and see Annette for a session. . .”
How Performance Anxiety Can Present
Performance anxiety can be experienced in different ways. You may notice:
- Anxiety in the lead-up to a performance or event
- Physical tension, shaking or changes in breathing
- A racing or noticeably stronger heartbeat
- Difficulty concentrating or staying present
- Feeling that your mind has gone blank
- Changes in your voice or physical delivery
- Fear of making mistakes or forgetting material
- Heightened self-consciousness when being observed
- Worry about how an audience or other people will respond
- Replaying or analysing a performance afterwards
For some people, these difficulties occur only in particular performance situations. For others, they may overlap with public speaking anxiety, social anxiety, fear of judgement or broader confidence difficulties.
Working With Stage Fright & Performance Anxiety
My approach combines neuroscience-informed hypnotherapy, Solution Focused Therapy, somatic and body-based regulation approaches, and psychologically informed support for performance under pressure.
The work considers how anxiety can affect cognition, communication, presence and functioning in high-pressure situations. Depending on the individual, sessions may incorporate therapeutic discussion, clinical hypnosis, cognitive reframing, creative visualisation and approaches to nervous-system regulation.
Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction or the pursuit of calm, the work considers cognitive clarity, emotional regulation and effective functioning under pressure.
Performance Under Pressure
I work with adults across a range of professional, creative and performance environments, including people who deliver talks, broadcasts, webinars, presentations and performances.
I have worked with singers, actors, touring musicians and emerging artists participating in record-label artist development and accelerator programmes, as well as people performing at internationally recognised literary and music festivals, conferences, concerts and live events.
My work also includes professionals working in television, theatre, music and other environments where communication, visibility, evaluation or performance forms an important part of what they do.
A Personalised Approach
Performance anxiety can present differently depending on the person, their experience and the demands of their particular performance environment.
Sessions are therefore tailored to the individual rather than following a standard programme. The work may address anticipatory anxiety, self-consciousness, fear of judgement, physical responses to pressure, concentration, communication and the ability to remain engaged with the task when performing.
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 stage fright or performance anxiety is affecting your experience of performing or working under pressure, 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.
Public Speaking Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help alleviate fear of public speaking, whether you are preparing for a speech, pitch, presentation or talk. A tailored blend of psychological and physiological tools can help you manage nerves, feel more in control and communicate with greater confidence.
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.
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.
