03/23/2001

Stage Fright

We've all experienced it -- butterflies in the stomach, sweaty palms, pounding heart -- just before performing or speaking in front of a group. Sometimes these feelings energize and improve our performance; other times the feelings escalate to sheer panic, causing us to stammer our way through, silently vowing NEVER to step forward again!

Public speaking is the number one fear reported in many surveys of American adults, topping such fears as the fear of flying, financial problems, sickness and even death. Some adults have such tremendous fear and anxiety about public speaking, they actively avoid situations in which they will be called upon to speak in public.

According to Janet Esposito of Psychological Health Associates in Danbury, this fear strongly impacts an individual's professional contribution and career advancement, with some people even passing up a promotional opportunity if they will be called upon to do more speaking in their new position.

"This fear takes a big toll on the person's self-confidence and self-esteem, as many people feel embarrassed and ashamed to have such a fear," says Esposito, who offers a course called, "No More Stagefright: A Public Speaking Course to Overcome Fear." According to Esposito, this is an experiential course that provides participants with opportunities to desensitize to their fear, learn skills to master the fear and build self-confidence in the area of public speaking.

"This class changed my life!" wrote one participant. "I had been suffering from anxiety over public speaking for over 15 years, and I felt hopeless. When I returned from the workshop I had several presentations. I was skeptical at first, but I immediately applied what I had learned and was able to give the presentation with only minimum anxiety."

Esposito's interest in starting the course emanates from her own experience with the same problem and determination not to allow her fears to stand in the way of professional advancement. While she believes a group setting is the beat way to help people address their common fears, Esposito provides individual coaching as well.

"Over the years I have worked extensively with people who have anxiety-related problems, and I have solid experience in helping people overcome a range of fears and anxieties that limit their freedom in life, including fear of public speaking," says the Danbury psychotherapist.

Esposito recently completed "In the Spotlight," a guidebook describing principles, methods and strategies to help get beyond state fright and create a whole new possibility for comfortable and confident speaking and performing. The reader will discover how to:

• Drastically decrease feeling of fear, discomfort and loss of control associated with speaking or performing in front of others

• Minimize uncomfortable physical symptoms associated with fear

• Significantly reduce dread of anticipating a speaking or performing event

• Eliminate need to avoid situations of speaking and performing because of fear

• Create a relaxed and confident state of mind and body in preparing to speak or perform

• Break through fear and create an inner peace around speaking and performing

  For further information about courses, publications ("In the Spotlight" can be ordered through the Web site listed below) or customized programs, please contact:

  Janet E. Esposito, M.S.W.
  In the Spotlight, LLC
  PO Box 494
  Bridgewater, CT 06752

  Web site: www.performanceanxiety.com
  Email: jesposito@performanceanxiety.com
  Phone: 860-210-1499
  Toll-free: 877-814-7705

Links:

Conquering stage fright

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.