Fear of public speaking therapy for the keynote, the pitch, the classroom, the wedding toast. Calm head, clear voice, every time.
Clinically reviewed by Geoffrey Peal, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist · Updated October 2026
You know the content. You’ve rehearsed it. And the moment you step in front of the room, your brain goes somewhere else. Public speaking anxiety is one of the most common - and most fixable - performance issues we treat.
Glossophobia is the clinical name for the fear of public speaking, and it ranges from ordinary nerves to the kind of dread that makes people turn down promotions. We work with students, founders, executives, attorneys, educators, and anyone who has to stand up and speak, in person in St. Petersburg and Trinity or by telehealth anywhere in Florida. The work is concrete: physical regulation, attentional control, structured prep, and a mistake protocol so a single stumble doesn't derail the whole thing.
The goal isn’t no nerves. It’s a body that knows what to do with them.
Common signs that public speaking work would help.
You can hear the tremble. You hate that you can hear it. It snowballs.
You knew this material cold. Now you can’t find the next sentence.
Turning down keynotes, dodging meetings, ducking the panel invite.
Every neutral face looks judgmental. Every yawn means you’re bombing.
Twenty hours of slide tweaks for a ten-minute talk. Still doesn’t feel ready.
Cataloging every imperfect moment for days afterward.
A practical playbook you can use the next time you walk on stage - or open Zoom.
Specific breathwork and posture cues that drop arousal fast - and work even when you can’t leave the lectern.
A repeatable ritual for the 30 minutes before you go on. Lands you on stage in the right state every time.
Where to put your eyes, your focus, and your voice - so nerves don’t hijack any of them.
A 2-second protocol for when you lose your place or flub a line. Stops one stumble from becoming five.
Handling tough questions, hostile questioners, and the silence after a wrong answer.
Choosing which speaking opportunities to take, which to skip, and how to build a track record.
Glossophobia treatment at FPA Performance is built on cognitive-behavioral therapy, the best-studied approach for social and performance anxiety. In practice that means three things.
Sometimes the fear is narrow: one keynote, one thesis defense. Sometimes it's part of broader social anxiety that shapes meetings, interviews, and phone calls. We figure out which it is early, because the plan is different. For background, read our post on fear of public speaking and performance.
Speaking coaches work on content, structure, and delivery. Fear of public speaking therapy works on the anxiety that keeps a well-prepared speaker from delivering. If you need both, they pair well. Leaders who present often may also want our executive coaching, and if your nerves show up in other arenas too, see performance anxiety therapy.
Public speaking work is fee-for-service. Sometimes a client also meets criteria for a diagnosable condition, such as social anxiety disorder, another anxiety disorder, or depression. When that happens, the focus can shift from performance improvement to insurance-based therapy if it is clinically appropriate. We'll talk through your options before the first session.
Two licensed psychologists, both active members of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
His specialties include communication: public speaking, presentations, and classroom delivery, along with the performing arts. His clients range from students to working professionals presenting on the biggest stages of their careers.
Doctoral clinical training included rotations at the University of Miami Anxiety Research and Treatment Center, using cognitive-behavioral protocols for anxiety and panic. Featured on ABC Action News and 10 WTSP Tampa Bay.
In person at either office, or telehealth for clients anywhere in Florida.
Often 4-6 focused sessions before a specific event. Longer engagements for executives building a long-term speaking practice.