Fear of Public Speaking Case Study: how Hypnotherapy help Sam to speak out

Public speaking ranks among the most common fears. For many, the thought of standing before an audience triggers intense anxiety, physical discomfort, and self-doubt. This fear can limit personal growth, career advancement, and social interactions. Understanding how hypnotherapy can help individuals overcome this challenge offers valuable insights for anyone struggling with similar fears.

Sam’s fear of public speaking

When Sam first came to see me, his request was familiar to us. At Eyeris Health Hypnotherapy, we often work with professionals, executives, athletes, and performers who thrive in certain areas of their careers yet feel blocked in others. It’s common for someone to be confident in one-to-one or client-facing situations, but to experience anxiety when the spotlight shifts to larger audiences, high-stakes meetings, or interactions with authority figures. Sam’s struggle was a classic example of this pattern.

As an operations professional, Sam was confident with clients but struggled in larger meetings and with his new boss. He described a “freeze” response whenever asked to speak, along with cramps in his stomach. This led to avoidance behaviours — declining opportunities or enduring them under great stress.

What helped was Sam’s ability to articulate exactly what he felt, when it happened, and what was going through his mind. That clarity made our work together more effective.

The Approach

We worked across several areas to help Sam gradually shift his relationship with public speaking:

• Grounding tools

  Sophrology techniques helped Sam regulate his breathing and bodily reactions. Relaxation recordings gave him a baseline of calm to draw upon.

• Resolving past experiences

  Through hypnosis, we identified and reframed three traumatic events from different stages of his life. Each resolution brought noticeable improvement in his ability to speak in public.

• Future rehearsal

  Hypnosis also allowed Sam to visualise himself succeeding in challenging scenarios — presenting to large groups, handling one-on-one meetings with his boss, and navigating social gatherings.

• Coaching strategies

  Drawing on industry experience, we explored practical techniques: preparation, practice, authentic leadership style, and understanding the unspoken dynamics of a room.

The Transformation

Sam’s progress was gradual but steady:

• In prepared presentations, he applied a personalised technique that gave him confidence every time.

• In unexpected situations, he noticed excitement replacing fear — a shift in perception.

• After one session focused on his boss, he reported that his next one-to-one meeting went exceptionally well. He realised fear had distorted his view of his boss, linking him unconsciously to someone from his past.

• At a major work gathering, despite initial setbacks, Sam navigated the event with newfound confidence. As he recounted the experience, he was smiling, relaxed, and self-assured — like a different person.

Key Takeaway

Sam’s journey shows how hypnotherapy, combined with complementary techniques and coaching, can transform fear into confidence. His story is a reminder that with the right tools and guidance, even long-standing anxieties can be overcome.