Knowing your subject does not always make speaking in front of people feel any easier.

You may be perfectly comfortable talking to somebody one-to-one, yet feel completely different when you have to stand up in a meeting, give a presentation or address a room full of people.

The worry can begin long before the day itself. You picture your mind going blank, stumbling over your words or everybody noticing how nervous you feel. By the time you are due to speak, your body may already be reacting as though something has gone badly wrong.

People often come to see me because public speaking has become an unavoidable part of their work or life. They know they are capable, but anxiety keeps getting in the way of showing it.

What public speaking anxiety can feel like

Public speaking anxiety affects people in different ways. You might experience:

A racing heart
Shaking hands or legs
A dry mouth or tight throat
Blushing, sweating or feeling very hot
Shallow breathing
Feeling sick or needing the toilet
Speaking too quickly
Losing your place
Struggling to remember what you wanted to say
Feeling as though everybody can see how anxious you are

Sometimes the fear centres on one particular thing, such as being asked an unexpected question or being unable to escape once you have started.

You may spend hours preparing every word in the hope that this will help you feel safer. Preparation is useful, of course, but it can become exhausting when you feel you must account for every possible problem.

The build-up can be the hardest part

For many people, the anticipation is worse than the presentation itself.

As soon as you know you will have to speak, your mind begins rehearsing what might go wrong. You may sleep badly the night before, struggle to concentrate on anything else or secretly hope the event will be cancelled.

Then, once it is over, you replay it in your mind. Instead of noticing what went well, you focus on a pause, a forgotten word or somebody’s expression in the audience.

Other people may tell you that you appeared confident, but that can be difficult to believe when it felt so uncomfortable on the inside.

How I may be able to help

I offer hypnotherapy for public speaking anxiety at my practice in Hayle and online.

We begin by looking at what happens for you personally. This includes the thoughts that appear beforehand, the physical sensations you experience and the particular moments you find most difficult.

Hypnotherapy can help relieve anxiety and may help you approach public speaking with a calmer, more settled response.

During hypnosis, I may use guided imagery and mental rehearsal to help you picture yourself handling the situation in the way you would prefer. This could include walking into the room calmly, taking your time, remembering what you want to say and recovering comfortably if you lose your place.

Mental rehearsal cannot replace learning your material or practising your presentation. It can, however, give you an opportunity to become more familiar with the experience of responding calmly.

You do not have to become a different person

Public speaking does not require you to turn into an entertainer or somebody who loves being the centre of attention.

You may simply want to explain your ideas clearly, contribute during meetings or get through a presentation without anxiety dominating the experience.

We can work towards a version of confidence that feels natural to you. That might mean speaking more slowly, trusting your knowledge or accepting that a small pause is perfectly normal.

Some nerves can be useful because they show that what you are doing matters to you. The aim is to help those nerves remain manageable so that you can still think, speak and respond.

What if my mind goes blank?

The fear of going blank is one of the most common concerns I hear.

When you are very anxious, your attention can become fixed on how you are performing. You may be listening to yourself, watching the audience and trying to remember your next point all at once.

Part of our work can involve helping you place your attention back on what you want to communicate. We can also mentally rehearse pausing, checking your notes, taking a breath and continuing.

A pause often feels much longer to the speaker than it does to the people listening. You do not have to deliver every sentence perfectly for your message to be understood.

Your initial consultation

Your first appointment gives us time to discuss the speaking situations you face and how anxiety currently affects you.

You may be preparing for:

A work presentation
Speaking during meetings
An interview
A wedding speech
A lecture or training session
A performance or public event
Speaking on camera
Introducing yourself to a group

We will talk about what you would like to feel able to do and how soon the event is taking place. If you already have a date, it is helpful to contact me with enough time for us to work without adding further pressure.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about hypnosis and decide whether my approach feels suitable for you.

Practical preparation still matters

Hypnotherapy works best alongside sensible preparation.

Knowing your subject, practising aloud and becoming familiar with the room or technology can all help. Simple notes are often more useful than trying to memorise every word.

If possible, practise in conditions that resemble the real event. You might stand rather than sit, use your slides or speak to one trusted person before gradually increasing the audience.

We can discuss the practical side during your session and include it in the mental rehearsal we do together.