SPEAKING VOLUMES - A public speaking anxiety course
Speaking Volumes is our short course for people who feel nervous and anxious when it comes to public speaking. A fear of public speaking is a common concern, and it can really take away enjoyment of moments in your life.
A fear of public speaking can also invade your daily life, and cause you significant anxiety in the lead up to moments where you have to speak up! In fact, you can find anxiety around public speaking affects the following:
Work presentations, pitches, meetings, networking, teaching - There are so many work situations involving public speaking. Learn to feel more comfortable with this core skill for work.
Student life can involve speaking up in class, doing presentations, and talking to groups when doing work experience. Build your toolkit to prepare you for your work life ahead.
Weddings, parties, anything - this is a perfect course for those who have upcoming events or just want to be prepared for impromptu toasts.
HOW can SPEAKING VOLUMES HELP with social anxiety?
Speaking Volumes is a highly tailored course customised to your particular public speaking concerns. We work with you individually to build the skills, and a plan, to help you approach your events with more confidence and less fear.
Speaking Volumes is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) principles, which is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. In it, we help you look at those thoughts and behaviours that maintain your anxiety, and how to gradually overcome these. We look at shifting mindsets, managing uncomfortable physical signs of anxiety, and help you build small exercises to gradually face your public speaking anxiety fears.
Speaking Volumes also takes a skills-based approach in helping you deliver an on point message. We look at how you present when it comes to public speaking (both your verbal and non-verbal communication skills), how you develop your visual materials , and how to structure your presentation.
what’S COVERED IN the SPEAKING VOLUMES course?
SPEAKING VOLUMES is organised into six parts, each designed to build on each other to enhance your knowledge of public speaking, build your skills for effective preparation, decrease your nerves and anxiety when it comes to public speaking anxiety, and help you face your fears when it comes to the main event.
Session 1: getting to know your public speaking FEARS
Understand the impact of public speaking anxiety on the various areas of your life.
Learn why you feel nervous when it comes to public speaking.
Unlock the unhelpful mindset that leads to anxiety.
Understand how you come across when engaging in public speaking.
Session 2: getting STARTED ON FACING YOUR FEARS
Learn how to approach your public speaking fear and take small steps towards conquering it
Watch out for sneaking saboteurs during public speaking.
Start to become more at ease with being the focus of attention.
Calm the physical signs of anxiety.
Session 3: shaping your presence
Develop a ‘style’ that’s appropriate for the event.
Focus on the verbal and the non-verbal aspects of public speaking (including how NOT to look nervous even when you’re feeling it!)
Session 4: thinking about speaking
Understand how mindset maintains public speaking anxiety.
Learn to shift self-sabotaging thinking styles.
Shift your mindset about your public speaking abilities.
session 5: crafting your message
Focus on the essential elements (i.e. the structure) of an on-point message be it a Best Man’s Speech, a conference presentation, or pitching an idea at work.
Craft a visual presentation that dazzles rather than dulls.
Session 6: FINE-TUNING your progress
See your progress when it comes to your presentation style.
Consolidate the skills you have learnt thus far into a personalised Action Plan.
Set further personalised goals to continue with your goals.
FAQs ABOUT SPEAKING VOLUMES
WHAT FORMAT IS THIS COURSE OFFERED IN?
Speaking Volumes is available either in a group-based format, or one-to one format over six weeks. Sessions are held at The Skill Collective in Perth, Australia. If you’re located outside of Perth, drop us a line to let us know if you’re interested in an online version. If we get enough shout outs we’ll definitely look into it!
Group-think
A group-based format is ideal for working on public speaking anxiety as you have a ready audience to prepare and present in front of. Everyone is there for the same purpose - to build skills to face public speaking fears, thus providing a supportive environment.
DETAILS:
- Duration: 6 x 90 minute sessions with 2 clinicians.
- OUR NEXT GROUP STARTS WEDNESDAY 9TH AUGUST 2023, FROM 5.30-7PM at our office in Subiaco, Perth.
- Facilitators: This group will be facilitated by Dr Joyce Chong (Clinical Psychologist) and Giulia Villa (Provisional Psychologist).
- Cost: $145 per session (6x90min sessions; $870 in total). For individuals attending this course as a health service, Medicare rebates or private health rebates may apply. GST applies on top of the fee if this is not undertaken as a health service (e.g. professional development).
One-on-one
An individual sessions format is particularly beneficial for those who don’t quite feel ready yet to step into the group course, or wish to work on very specific scenarios.
As this is highly tailored and individualised course, you will get to work one-on-one with one of our clinicians on your specific concerns. We've helped people to:
- Step up into roles that require a lot of public speaking
- Students dreading class participation marks and group presentations
- Prepare for their wedding day
DETAILS
- Duration: 6 x 50-minute sessions
- Cost: Depending on which faciliator you work with, costs can range from $900-$1680. Medicare or private health rebates may apply your out-of-pocket expenses. GST may be applicable (if this course is provided not as a health service, e.g. for professional development)
How much WORK WILL IT INVOLVE?
Good question! We’ll answer that with…it involves as much as you’re willing to put into it, but the benefits you reap will depend on your efforts. Certainly, just turning up won’t lead to as much benefit as putting the work into it. We recommend:
Attending all six of the face-to-face sessions (Medicare Rebates can only be claimed if you have a relevant MHTP in place and you attend the session)
Doing reflective work and/or reading in between sessions.
Carrying out relevant activities in between sessions that build on your skills. Yes, this is homework, but we find that completing the homework is the best way to consolidate your learning.
Who is FACILITATING speaking volumes?
Several of the team here at The Skill Collective are trained to deliver Speaking Volumes, including:
ABOUT THE AUTHORS of speaking volumes
Speaking Volumes is brought to you by our clinical psychologist Dr Joyce Chong.
Dr Joyce Chong is our Principal Clinical Psychologist and has significant experience in the area of public speaking. She has presented across a range of audience sizes (from facilitating workshops to small groups through to state-wide conferences) and across a range of industries including tertiary education, agriculture, construction and mining, health, and emergency services. She consistently receives positive feedback regarding her facilitation style and ability to engage an audience.