Client Background
Emma, a 36-year-old supervisor, recently received a promotion at her workplace. However, her new role required her to speak in meetings and address her colleagues, which triggered intense anxiety. Emma began considering stepping down from her role, feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of public speaking. She experienced classic symptoms of anxiety, including a racing heart, sweating, and a sense of dread before, and when faced with speaking in front of others, something she had to do on a regular basis now.
Hypnotherapist’s Comment
“When Emma came to me, she was on the verge of leaving a role she had earned and deserved. Her fear of public speaking stemmed from an experience much earlier in life, but it had grown into a significant barrier over time. I knew we needed to uncover and address the root cause of her fear while building her confidence in the present. I was desperate for her to be the best she could be and I knew she was fully capable of”
The Challenge
Emma’s fear of public speaking was deeply rooted in a childhood experience. During her school years, a teacher had publicly embarrassed her in front of her classmates, leaving her feeling humiliated and exposed and importantly vulnerable. This moment had stayed with Emma, subconsciously reinforcing the belief that speaking in front of others was unsafe and would lead to judgment or ridicule. Over time, this fear grew into a significant limitation, making it difficult for her to fulfil her professional potential.
Hypnotherapist’s Comment
“Emma’s story is a common example of how early experiences can shape our beliefs and behaviours. Her fear wasn’t about her ability to speak; it was about the emotional imprint of that past event. My role was to help her reframe that experience and build a new, empowering narrative.”
The Solution
I designed a tailored program for Emma over three sessions, combining hypnotherapy and coaching:
- Session One: Exploring the Root Cause
Through hypnotherapy, we revisited the childhood event where Emma was embarrassed by her teacher. In a safe and supportive state, she re-experienced the event but with a new perspective, enabling her to release the emotional weight it carried. This session focused on reframing the memory, replacing feelings of humiliation with compassion and empowerment.
Hypnotherapist’s Comment
“In this first session, the goal was to help Emma understand that the past event no longer defined her. By reprocessing the memory in a positive light, she could begin to let go of the limiting beliefs it had created and limited her in the everyday.”
- Session Two: Building Confidence
In the second session, we focused on developing Emma’s confidence as a speaker. Using hypnotherapy, I guided her to visualise herself speaking calmly and confidently in front of her colleagues. We NLP anchored these feelings to specific physical cues she could use in real-life situations, such as a deep breath or a subtle hand movement.
Hypnotherapist’s Comment
“Visualisation, i.e. future pacing, is a powerful tool. For Emma, seeing herself succeed in her mind’s eye helped to replace her fear with a sense of control and capability.”
- Session Three: Reinforcement and Strategy
In the final session, we reinforced Emma’s progress and discussed practical strategies for managing any lingering nerves. This included grounding techniques, deep breathing exercises, and how to reframe unhelpful thoughts. By the end of the session, Emma felt prepared and confident to face her next meeting.
Hypnotherapist’s Comment
“This session was about ensuring Emma felt fully equipped to handle any future challenges. Confidence grows with practice, and I wanted to make sure she had tools she could rely on long after our sessions ended.”
The Results
- After the first session, Emma reported feeling lighter and less burdened by her past experiences. She noticed a reduction in her overall anxiety levels.
- By the second session, she had started applying her new skills during smaller team interactions, building her confidence gradually day by day.
- Following the third session, Emma successfully led her departmental meetings without any significant anxiety. She has since embraced her role as a supervisor, feeling more relaxed and even enjoying opportunities to speak publicly.
Hypnotherapist’s Comment
“Seeing Emma thrive in her role was incredibly rewarding. She transformed from someone who doubted her ability to lead into a confident supervisor who enjoys her work. Her journey shows how addressing the root cause of fear can unlock a person’s full potential.”
Key Takeaways
- Early experiences can create deep-seated fears, but hypnotherapy can help reframe these memories and reduce their impact.
- Combining hypnotherapy with practical strategies ensures lasting change and builds confidence over time.
- Small, manageable steps help clients practice their skills and solidify their progress.
Ready to Find Your Confidence?
If fear or anxiety is holding you back from reaching your potential, contact me today. Together, we can uncover what’s holding you back and help you take the steps to a more confident, fulfilling life. Rapid Results, Real Change