- 20 Jun 2025
- 0 comments
The fear of public speaking is one of the most common anxieties people experience. Whether it’s delivering a presentation at work, speaking up in a meeting, or giving a wedding toast, the physical symptoms can be overwhelming: racing heart, shaky hands, dry mouth, mind gone blank.
For some, this fear is a mild discomfort. But for others, it can be paralysing – affecting confidence, career progression, and overall wellbeing.
So why is public speaking so daunting? And what can we do to move past the fear?
When the roots run deep
In my hypnotherapy work, I often support clients who want to overcome public speaking anxiety but find that rational techniques alone aren’t enough.
Fear of public speaking often isn’t about the speaking itself – it’s about what it represents. You might fear being judged, getting something wrong, or “not being good enough.” And those fears are often planted long ago – sometimes as far back as childhood.
Perhaps you were laughed at for getting something wrong at school. Maybe you grew up in a home where it wasn’t safe to express yourself. Or you might simply have picked up the belief that people like you don’t have anything worth saying. Over time, these experiences and beliefs take root in your subconscious – and when you’re asked to speak up, your nervous system reacts as if you’re under threat, triggering a fight-flight-freeze response.
In these cases, hypnotherapy offers a powerful route forward. We work together to gently uncover where the fear began and shift the subconscious beliefs that are fuelling it – often in just one session, supported by a personalised audio I invite you to listen to for 3 weeks to embed new, calm, confident pathways into your subconscious mind.
But what if you’re not doing hypnotherapy?
If you’re not working with me one-to-one (yet!), there are still many practical strategies you can use to build confidence and reduce the fear of public speaking. Here are a few that clients and training participants consistently find helpful:
1. Reframe the fear
Don’t try to eliminate nerves entirely – channel them. Nervous energy is a sign you care. Remind yourself of that, and reframe it as excitement. Then use that adrenaline to boost your performance.
2. Reconnect with your purpose
Before you speak, ask: Why am I doing this? Whether it’s to inform, connect, inspire, or advocate, shifting the focus from you to your message helps calm the ego and centre your attention on your audience.
3. Practise out loud
Reading through your notes silently isn’t enough. Practise standing, breathing, and speaking your words aloud. This helps your brain and body get familiar with the rhythm and energy of your talk, and it builds muscle memory for the real thing.
4. Anchor yourself physically
Before speaking, plant your feet flat on the ground. Take a few slow, full breaths. If you can, touch something steady – a lectern, a pen, or even put your hand on your heart (before you’re in public view!). These grounding actions signal to your nervous system that you’re safe.
5. Visualise a great outcome
Close your eyes and imagine yourself speaking with confidence, and receiving a warm response. This isn’t just positive thinking, it’s rehearsal for your nervous system. (Hypnotherapy takes this one step further, using guided visualisation while in a deeply relaxed state.) It’s all about programming your mind for success.
Speaking well starts with feeling safe
The ability to speak well in public isn’t reserved for “naturals” or extroverts. It’s a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and strengthened with the right support. But for many people, especially those who’ve experienced criticism, shame or anxiety in early life, it’s not just about technique. It’s about safety.
That’s where deeper, subconscious work can make a powerful difference.
Want support?
If fear of public speaking is holding you back, you don’t have to stay stuck. Whether you want to explore hypnotherapy for public speaking or confidence building for your team, change is possible – and often much faster than you think.
If you want to find out more about how I can help, do get in touch for a free, no-pressure chat.