CBT Therapy for Glossophobia (Fear of Public Speaking)
Understanding Glossophobia
Glossophobia, or an intense fear of public speaking, can make situations involving presentations, meetings or speaking in front of other people feel disproportionately threatening.
You may find yourself worrying about forgetting what to say, visibly appearing anxious, making a mistake or being negatively judged by your audience. You might cope by avoiding opportunities to speak, rehearsing excessively, reading closely from notes, speaking as quickly as possible or trying to conceal signs of nervousness.
These strategies can reduce anxiety in the moment, but they may also reinforce the belief that speaking publicly is dangerous or that you could not cope without them.
Therapy can help you understand how fear of judgement, self-focused attention and safety behaviours keep the anxiety going, and develop a different way of responding when you become the focus of other people's attention.
AVAILABLE FACE-TO-FACE OR ONLINE
We're Ready to Help You
We offer all prospective clients an hour long, informal and confidential chat to discuss your fear of public speaking for just £30.
There's no pressure to undertake any therapy going forward, no judgement from us and we're very friendly and easy to talk to!
♦ Ongoing sessions:
Typically weekly or fortnightly, tailored to your needs.
♦ Location:
Comfortable private setting near Wolverhampton / Wombourne, with free parking.
Secure online therapy available with Paul across the UK.
♦ Fees:
Ongoing sessions: £90/hr
What Could Cause Glossophobia?
Experiences that contribute to the development of a fear of public speaking can vary widely and may include moments of perceived failure or embarrassment in social situations, such as being ridiculed for a previous presentation or feeling dismissed during group discussions, leading to an internal narrative that reinforces self-doubt.
Childhood experiences, including a lack of encouragement in expressing oneself or exposure to critical feedback from peers and authority figures, can further cultivate anxiety around speaking in front of others.
Additionally, societal pressures to perform flawlessly can create a sense of vulnerability, making individuals fearful of judgment and rejection.
Understanding these experiences through a compassionate lens can help individuals identify the root causes of their fear, allowing them to reclaim their confidence and effectively engage in public speaking once more.
Glossophobia Symptoms
Glossophobia can manifest in various ways that go beyond just a fear of speaking in public; you may experience:
- Trembling hands
- Uncontrollable shaking
- A dry throat
- Self-doubt
- Replaying negative scenarios in their minds
- Worrying about making mistakes
This overwhelming anxiety can lead to procrastination or complete withdrawal from social situations where speaking is involved, causing further distress and isolation.
Psychological therapy with paul
CBT Therapy Options for the Fear of Public Speaking
ABOUT PAUL
Meet Paul Lee MSc
Hello, I'm Paul and I've been working with people as a psychologist, psychotherapist and coach since 2009. I have expert knowledge of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and adopt a non-medicalised philosophy when helping people overcome mental health challenges. This means that I will frame your current difficulties as being the result of what has happened to you rather than what is wrong with you.
What to Expect from Therapy
Therapy isn't something that is simply done to you. Although your therapist can provide understanding, guidance and practical psychological strategies, meaningful change usually develops through what you discover, practice and begin to do differently in your everyday life.
At Tranceform, we see therapy as a collaborative process. We'll work together to understand the patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour that may be keeping the problem going, while helping you explore different ways of responding. Sometimes this involves questioning long-held assumptions, reducing avoidance or experimenting with behaviours that initially feel unfamiliar.
The aim isn't to make you dependent upon therapy or to promise a quick fix. It's to help you develop greater understanding, confidence and agency so that, over time, you become better equipped to manage difficulties for yourself.
Therapy provides the guidance. You provide the practice. We create the change together.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP