Public speaking is one of the most valuable skills in today's professional world. Whether you're presenting to a boardroom, speaking on a panel, or delivering a virtual talk, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently can open doors to new opportunities. Yet, for many, the mere thought of standing in front of an audience induces anxiety.
For those who live with anxiety, are neurodivergent, or feel the weight of societal expectations, 'masking' can feel like a shield. It's the act of blending in, suppressing the parts of oneself that feel too 'different' or 'much' in order to fit a mould. Masking can be a survival tool, a way to navigate environments where we fear rejection or misunderstanding. It can give us temporary relief: "If I just act like everyone else, I'll feel safe." And, our nervous system spends a lot of time looking for signals in our environment that tell us it is safe. Masking can also be exhausting, alienating, and denying our most authentic selves. Over time, it chips away at authenticity, leaving us wondering: Who am I beneath the mask?
One of the key reasons I was drawn to becoming a therapist is my fascination with the concept of the flow state. I have always been fascinated by how it manifests in the arts and have had the privilege of supporting clients who either access this state effortlessly or face considerable obstacles in doing so. My latest article explores this state - a mental zone where focus, creativity, and productivity come together naturally.
It can be easy to take things personally when public speaking. This post explores the importance of detaching from these influences and offers concrete strategies for maintaining a balanced approach.
Holidays should be relaxing, but if your nervous system is stuck in fight or flight mode from work stress, finding calm can be tough. Transitioning from a high-pressure environment to relaxation requires intention and practice.
Feeling scared is natural, but we can manage nerves, anxiety and fear by empowering ourselves with a few mindful practices.
Hypnotherapy for Public Speaking and performance, with tips Whether you perform in front of people for Business, Stage or TV, you will know that stage fright or performance anxiety is a debilitating fear that will negatively impact the quality of your performance. Even if you have been performing or giving presentations for years, nerves can [...]
Adele uses hypnotherapy to manage stage fright Award-winning singer Adele was reported to have seen a Hypnotherapist in LA to help her manage her stage fright before The Oscars. A source close to the singer said that 'Adele was getting so nervous about the gig. She had been rehearsing for the show with an orchestra, but [...]
Stage fright and Performance Anxiety Stage fright, nerves or performance anxiety is a debilitating fear that if left can have a detrimental effect on a performer's career. The good news is that stage fright, although it may seem impossible to believe, can be overcome in as few as 8-12 one-hour sessions. How is this [...]
Performance Anxiety There's been a lot of coverage in the press recently on performance anxiety, with stars such as Salma Hayek and Adele opening up about their fears, and Stephen Fry talking about stage fright in a lengthy article in The Guardian. The article talks about the strategies available to overcome stage fright, including hypnotherapy. There is a difference between an [...]
