Overcoming Social Anxiety
You are NOT alone!

Mastery Group

 


Getting Over Stage Fright Mastery Group! 

 

Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking
or Performing 

We are now launching the Connecticut Getting Over StageFright Mastery Group with a revised schedule with a shortened number of sessions (though longer sessions) to make the most efficient use of your time. 

The location and time of the meetings will be determined based upon member’s availability and locations. The group will meet 4 times in Connecticut (likely the Hartford area) in September 2012. The location and schedule will be determined based on group members’ availability, on Saturdays or Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; these hours are not definite, but approximate.

Here is a tentative schedule: 

 

Saturday or Sunday, September 8th or 9th  

Saturday or Sunday, September 15th or 16th


Saturday or Sunday, September 22nd or 23rd


Saturday or Sunday, September 29th or 30th

 

Please note that the group will be held on the above Saturdays OR Sundays, not both days. The day will be chosen based upon members’ availability and we will do our best to work with your schedule. We will also consider dates in October if that timing would be better for you.

If you live a distance away, please consider attending, as it will be well worth your time and effort!

Do you:

 

  • Have an immediate surge of fear when you learn you need to do any public speaking or performing?

  • Attempt to avoid giving presentations or performances, inhibiting your professional or personal growth?

  • Suffer from anticipatory anxiety for weeks or months before your presentation or performance?

  • Experience panic or feel very self-conscious in front of others, worried that people will see how anxious you are and that you will lose credibility and respect?

  • Feel significant inner turmoil or have you missed life opportunities because of your speaking or performing anxiety?

  • Feel alone with this fear and feel that no one really understands how much you struggle on the inside, even when you are able to look okay on the outside?

  • Find excuses to put your goals and dreams on hold because you have not been able to face this fear?

 

 Would you like to meet and connect with others just like you, who deeply understand what you are going through and who share similar experiences?

 

Have you tried Toastmasters or other classes or seminars that were too overwhelming and didn’t really address the fear of public speaking or performing?

 

 What would it feel like to not have to think about whether or not you can do something because of your fear of public speaking or performing?

 

 Are you ready to take a big step forward in helping yourself with this challenge?

 

You can become an active participant in your progress and no longer engage in avoidance behavior.  Work at your own pace with gradual exercises to gain mastery over this fear in a safe and supportive environment.   If you find Toastmasters or other groups too difficult, this is the ideal stepping stone for you. If you are already in Toastmasters or another speaking or performing group, the Getting Over Stage Fright Mastery Group will nicely complement another group, as the sole focus of this group is on mastering the fear of public speaking or performing rather than on teaching presenting or performing skills.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

This Mastery Group is perfect for you if you:

 

  • Cringe when someone asks you to speak at a work or social event

  • Fear introducing yourself and dread when your turn comes up to speak or perform in a meeting, class, or other group event

  • Feel intimidated by job interviews or other high pressure meetings, unable to communicate your skills or ideas effectively

  • Experience self-consciousness and inhibition while speaking or performing and are not able to be at your best in these situations

Here, you can practice formal presentations or performances before the real event.  Other exercises include:   

  • Practice introducing yourself

  • Practice answering impromptu questions

  • Practice reading aloud

  • Practice participating in interactive group activities

  • Role-playing

  • Mock job interviews and debates  

The group process is a valuable, transformative experience in which you are in a safe, supportive environment where you no longer feel alone. When you hear others' similar stories about how much this fear has affected their lives, you will immediately feel right at home.  The group environment creates a deep bonding experience and will produce amazing outcomes that would not be possible to achieve individually. 

Introducing the Mastermind Behind the Mastery Group Materials and Teachings: 

Janet Esposito, MSW, LCSW, psychotherapist and coach 

President of:  In the SpotLight, LLC  

Author of:  

In The SpotLight: Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing 

Getting Over Stage Fright: A New Approach to Resolving Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing

CD:  In The SpotLight: Guided Exercises to Create a Calm and Confident State of Mind, Body, & Spirit While Speaking or Performing  

Getting Over StageFright Workshop held in Southbury, CT, 3-4 times per year 

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to witness Janet’s powerful skills first hand by participating in her Getting Over Stage Fright Workshop in September 2010.   After suffering for 20 years with a public speaking phobia, I found that the workshop experience was my breakthrough and made the commitment with follow-up efforts that contributed to a significant improvement in reducing my speaking anxiety.  Immediately after the workshop, I joined a new Toastmasters club and gave my first speech within a month and have taken on an active role in the club.  I also discovered a renewed confidence in my speaking abilities as a support group facilitator.  

After Janet observed my tremendous progress in that one weekend, she expressed strong interest and enthusiasm in collaborating with me to start a mastery group to help people who have this fear by providing some ongoing practice and support. We have been planning for this group for many months now and I have observed four of Janet’s workshops since then so I could learn more about the methods she uses in working with people who have this fear. I would like to share with you the knowledge I have gained, and continue to gain, as I observe Janet’s ongoing workshops and group coaching calls.    

Other participants have also consistently spoken very highly of the workshop experience, noting that it has provided them with a strong foundation to move beyond the limitations of their fear.  People travel from around the country and sometimes the world to attend Janet’s workshop! 

We would like to extend this workshop experience by offering the Getting Over Stage Fright Mastery Group, where you will learn how to:

  • Reduce your anticipatory anxiety, fear, and avoidance associated with public speaking or performing
  • Create unconditional self-acceptance and support for yourself during your most challenging moments
  • Develop tools to empower your mindset and calm your physical symptoms
  • Create an action plan with immediate goals to implement weekly while receiving support and accountability in the group
  • Increase feelings of confidence and ease when speaking or performing and create the possibility of actually enjoying the experience!

In addition to practice opportunities, there will be a structured segment to the group in which I will review portions of Janet’s books, CD and newsletters for reinforcement, as well as having discussions about how to apply the tools and techniques in speaking or performing challenges.
 

Please:

 

 

  • View a video of myself and Janet speaking about the Getting Over Stage Fright Workshop experience and plans to form this group,  click here:  www.YouTube.com

 

People with performance anxiety in other areas, such as singers, musicians, and actors, will also find this group extremely helpful in reducing their fear of performing. People who have more general social anxiety or discomfort will likewise find this group very useful. I can relate to those that have general social anxiety and can provide extra assistance in this area.

 

Why would you choose me to guide you on this journey? 

I offer the unique combination of my own personal experience in learning to reduce and master this fear as well as facilitating social anxiety support groups for 5 years. I also have a professional background in psychology and I’ve had a career in this field for 12 years. Most importantly, I have the passion, dedication, and motivation to guide others with this challenge.   

 

 

There will be between 8-12 people in the group.  There is much sensitivity and respect for each person, no matter what level of fear you are coming in with. You will never be forced or pressured to do all of the speaking or performing exercises, though you will be supported and encouraged to do the most you are capable of doing. Your confidentiality will be strictly maintained and you can speak with us ahead of time if you have any specific concerns about this.  

For additional information about fees and other details for the Getting Over Stage Fright Mastery Group, please feel free to contact me.

We look forward to hearing from you, and hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon!

Warm Regards,

Marla

 P.S.  Please note that we only have a limited number of spots available for this group, and then we put people on a waiting list after that, so please act soon if you are interested!