What to Expect From a Public Speaking Class (When Anxiety Is the Real Issue)
When people start searching for a public speaking class, they are rarely beginners. Most are already experts in their field. They know their material. They understand the topic. They’ve often been told they’re articulate, capable, and knowledgeable. And yet, when it’s time to speak – in a meeting, during a presentation, or in front of a group – their body reacts as if something is wrong.
The nerves take over.
Their heart races.
Their mind goes blank.
Even when the subject matter is familiar or deeply meaningful, speaking about it feels overwhelming. This disconnect can be confusing and frustrating. Many people wonder: If I know what I’m talking about, why does this still feel so hard? The answer is simpler, and more compassionate, than most people realize.
Public speaking anxiety isn’t a skill problem. It’s a fear response. And not every public speaking class is designed to address that.
What Traditional Public Speaking Classes Focus On
Many traditional public speaking classes focus on:
Presentation structure
Vocal projection and body language
Storytelling techniques
Presentation style
Delivery and presence
For some people, this is incredibly helpful, especially when anxiety is mild. However, for those with significant public speaking anxiety, these classes can feel misaligned. Not because the content is wrong, but because it doesn’t yet meet them where they are. When anxiety is high, there’s often so much mental energy spent facing fear and uncertainty:
“Can I do this?”
“What if I freeze?”
“What if I’m judged?”
At this stage, focusing on presentation style or delivery can feel premature. Many people leave feeling unseen or misunderstood, as though they’re being asked to polish a performance before they feel safe enough to step onto the stage at all.
This can lead to frustration, doubt, and the belief that they’re “bad at public speaking,” when in reality, anxiety is simply taking up too much space to allow skill-building to land.
Why “Knowing the Material” Isn’t the Problem
Most professionals who struggle with public speaking anxiety are not underprepared. Typically, it’s the opposite. They rehearse extensively, they anticipate questions, and they plan every word (just in case!). Yet, the anxiety still shows up.
That’s because anxiety does not respond to logic or competence. It responds to perceived threat.
Interestingly, communications expert Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, highlights that memorizing content can actually increase cognitive load and reduce authenticity. When someone is focused on recalling exact wording, there’s less mental bandwidth available for connection, flexibility, and presence, all of which are already compromised when anxiety is high.
When the nervous system detects the possibility of being judged or negatively evaluated, it shifts into protection mode, even if the speaker is highly competent and well-prepared.
According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This can lead to:
racing heart
shaky voice or hands
shortness of breath
difficulty concentrating
feeling disconnected or “on autopilot”
No amount of extra rehearsal can override a nervous system that believes it is under threat. That’s why psychology-informed approaches focus less on perfect delivery and more on helping people stay present with anxiety, rather than waiting for it to disappear.
When Anxiety Is the Real Barrier
Public speaking anxiety isn’t just about large audiences or formal presentations, it can show up in meetings, small group discussions, being put on the spot, or in leadership or visibility moments. At its core, public speaking anxiety is often driven by a fear of negative evaluation. The worry that others will judge, criticize, or perceive you negatively.
This fear activates the nervous system, even when the situation itself isn’t objectively dangerous.
The goal, then, isn’t to eliminate anxiety entirely. It’s to change your relationship to it, so anxiety no longer drives avoidance or limits participation.
What a Psychology-Informed Public Speaking Anxiety Group Looks Like
When anxiety is the central issue, a different kind of public speaking class is needed. Psychology-informed groups shift the focus away from performance and toward understanding how anxiety works in the body and mind. These groups typically emphasize:
small, supportive group settings
gradual exposure to real-world speaking situations
understanding the science of anxiety
learning how the nervous system responds to perceived threat
building tolerance and flexibility rather than “confidence”
Rather than asking participants to push through fear, our psychology-led groups aim to help people:
recognize what’s happening internally during moments of anxiety
stay present instead of avoiding or dissociating
practice speaking with anxiety rather than waiting for it to disappear
reduce avoidance over time
Who This Type of Public Speaking Class Is – and Isn’t – For
This type of group may be a good fit if you:
already know your material but anxiety interferes with delivery
want to understand your anxiety rather than suppress it
are open to learning psychological and physiological strategies
value structure, reflection, and guided practice
are willing to engage in gradual exposure in a supportive setting
It may not be the right fit if you:
are looking for quick confidence hacks
want performance coaching only
prefer individual therapy for broader or unrelated concerns
are unable to commit to regular sessions
Neuroscience research, including work shared by Andrew Huberman, shows that anxiety responses tend to peak briefly before settling, especially when individuals remain present rather than trying to suppress or escape the sensation. This is where meaningful, sustainable change begins.
The Real Goal Isn’t Confidence, It’s Reducing Avoidance
One of the biggest misconceptions about public speaking classes is that confidence should be the end goal. In reality, confidence often comes after people stop avoiding the situations that matter to them.
When anxiety no longer dictates whether you speak up, present, or participate, something shifts:
your world gets bigger
your opportunities increase
your nervous system learns that you can handle these moments
Curious Whether This Type of Group Is Right for You?
If public speaking anxiety is limiting your participation at work, despite knowing your material, a psychology-informed approach may be worth exploring.
Learn more about our psychologist-led public speaking anxiety groups and consultation process at hello@amandatobepsychology.com
About Amanda Tobe & Associates
Amanda Tobe is a registered organizational psychologist who leads a team dedicated to helping professionals strengthen their confidence and thrive at work. Our services include career counselling, imposter syndrome counselling, public speaking anxiety support, and performance psychology for professionals across Ontario and Nova Scotia. We also provide entrepreneurial support and resources for business owners navigating self-doubt, decision-making, and mindset challenges as they grow their careers.
If you're ready to build confidence, navigate your career with clarity, and develop the skills to move forward, explore our services at amandatobe.com.
