Therapy & Counseling
Performance & Test Anxiety Therapy
Performance anxiety is the intense fear that shows up when you feel evaluated: speaking, presenting, testing, auditioning, interviewing, or competing. Therapy helps you quiet the fear and the physical symptoms so you can do the thing you care about without being hijacked by anxiety. It is common, and it is very workable.
We see clients in person at our South Bay office and virtually across California.
Where performance anxiety shows up
- Public speaking, presentations, and meetings
- Exams, licensing tests, and high-stakes evaluations
- Auditions, performances, and competitions
- Interviews and career-defining moments
- Physical symptoms: racing heart, shaky voice, blanking out
Our approach
We use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure, and practical skills for the body's stress response, so you can stay clear and present under pressure. Because performance anxiety often overlaps with social anxiety, we treat the whole picture within your wider anxiety care and individual therapy.
As Jack Foley, LMFT, puts it:
"The goal isn't to eliminate nerves, it's to stop them from running the show. With the right tools, that same energy can actually sharpen your performance instead of sabotaging it."
What to expect
Care begins with a free 15-minute consultation. From there we match you thoughtfully and build the skills to perform under pressure, at a pace that works for you.
How it works
Starting is simple.
Book a free consultation
A confidential 15-minute call to understand what you need.
Get matched
We pair you with the right clinician for your goals.
Begin care
Start in person or online, at a pace that feels right.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is performance anxiety?
It is intense anxiety in situations where you feel evaluated: public speaking, presentations, exams, auditions, interviews, sports, or sex. The fear of failing or being judged can interfere with the very thing you want to do well.
Is test anxiety the same thing?
Test anxiety is a common form of performance anxiety. We work with students and professionals on exams, licensing tests, and high-stakes evaluations.
What treatment works for performance anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure, and skills for managing your physical stress response are highly effective. We focus on both the mindset and the physical symptoms.
Can therapy help with stage fright or public speaking?
Yes. Public speaking is one of the most common forms, and gradual, supported practice combined with CBT helps most people perform with far less fear.
Do you offer this online?
Yes, in person in the South Bay and via telehealth across California.
When you're ready, a conversation is the place to begin.
Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation, confidential, and without obligation.
Book a free consultation