Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety: How Hypnotherapy Can Help You Speak with Confidence

For many people, public speaking triggers intense anxiety. Just the thought of standing in front of a crowd can cause your mind to spiral:

What if I freeze and forget my words?What if I’m boring and people tune out?What if I make a complete fool of myself?

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Fear of public speaking — also known as glossophobia — is one of the most common forms of performance anxiety. Whether you're preparing for a big presentation, a wedding speech, or a TED-style talk, that rush of panic before taking the stage is real.

What Happens in the Body During Public Speaking Anxiety?

When you're in front of an audience, your nervous system may go into fight-or-flight mode. Suddenly:

• Your heart races

• Your mouth goes dry

• Your hands tremble

• Your brain goes blank

• Time either speeds up or slows down

You may feel like everyone in the room can see just how nervous you are — and that only makes it worse. This is more than just stage fright — it's a full physiological response to speaking anxiety.

So how do those confident TED talk speakers make it look easy?

The Role of Preparation — and Why It’s Not Always Enough

Yes, knowing your material inside out helps. Rehearsing your speech and preparing mentally can reduce some of the nerves. But if your public speaking anxiety is rooted in unconscious fears or past experiences, preparation alone might not be enough.

This is where hypnotherapy for public speaking comes in.

How Hypnotherapy Helps You Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for rewiring the brain’s response to fear and stress. During a session, you enter a relaxed, focused state (known as trance) where the brain becomes more open to suggestion — a state known as theta. This allows you to:

• Access unconscious fears that fuel anxiety

• Re-script limiting beliefs (e.g., “I’ll mess up” or “Everyone’s judging me”)

• Build confidence from the inside out

• Visualise success in vivid detail — before it happens

Just like elite athletes visualize winning before a race, hypnotherapy allows you to mentally rehearse your speech in a calm, empowered way — helping you perform naturally and confidently when it counts.

From Panic to Poise — In Just a Few Sessions

Most people notice a shift in just three to four hypnotherapy sessions. The fear begins to loosen its grip, and you're no longer hijacked by panic. Instead, you feel composed, focused, and ready to speak with clarity and presence.

As someone who’s also worked for over 20 years directing film performances, I can take things a step further by coaching your stage presence and filming your practice — so you can watch yourself improve and fine-tune your delivery.

By the time we’re done, you’ll be walking on stage with your head held high — delivering with confidence, humour, and connection, holding your audience in the palm of your hand.