Speak panic-free when you’re put on the spot

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Get your anxiety score and recommendations in minutes. No credit card – no spam.

Is this you?

If you struggle with any of these situations or symptoms, you’re in the right place.

Situations

  • Introducing yourself in a group
  • Being put on the spot
  • Taking turns speaking around a table
  • Participating in group discussions
  • Performing in front of an audience
  • Speaking to authority figures (your boss)
  • Interviewing
  • Giving status update in a meeting
  • Giving speeches and presentations

Symptoms

  • Rapid heart rate
  • Voice quivering
  • Sweating
  • Blushing
  • Breathless / hyperventilating
  • Mind going blank
  • Chest and throat tightening
  • Frequent swallowing
  • Feelings or unreality

You’re in good company:

Rapid Results

Anxiety Test Scores

Typically anxiety goes down by 50% in 8-16 weeks. It doesn’t take long to see progress, but the journey is not over in a few weeks. It usually takes a year to ingrain new habits and mindset shifts. Take the free Public Speaking Anxiety Test to get your score.

Enrolled in: Desensitization Laboratory (LAB) program.

You Need a SYSTEM

Skip years of wasted trial and error

A comprehensive framework that includes not just educational content, but also tools, strategies, support, and continuous improvement. One that is specifically designed to guide you through a process, adapt to your progress, and provide the resources needed for sustainable success over time. We’ll guide you through the implementation until the dream you have for your life is real.


The MAP SYSTEM

The 3 tier system that brings together immersion, repetition, and mastery for ultimate freedom and success.

  • Make critical mindset shifts
  • Learn to control the stress chemicals that cause the physiological symptoms you hate: Rapid heart rate, voice quivering, losing your train of thought, etc.
  • Learn how to practice the right way so you can desensitize most effectively
MAP System for speaking anxiety reduction

SpeakCalm Framework

40-years of research

We created a simple framework boiled down from research in public speaking anxiety, social anxiety, phobia, panic and communications.

You will feel empowered once you understand, and begin to change, the factors in your control.

  • How to reduce painful anticipatory anxiety
  • Your confidence and self-image go back to pre-panic levels

The Anxiety-O-Meter

We use an anxiety scale from 0-10.

  • In Practice groups, the anxiety scale is used to give and receive accurate feedback. Researchers tell us that people with public speaking anxiety are not getting accurate feedback. That is one of the factors we address immediately in this program.
  • The anxiety scale is used in Personal Improvement Plans (PIP) to measure anxiety and track progress.
anxiety meter

Panic wave

The Panic Wave – how to stop anxiety escalation

Once you’ve had a panic attack speaking, that memory gets seared on your brain. It becomes a trauma and keeps you trapped. You need special techniques designed specifically for panic. That’s what you’ll find in the Desensitization Laboratory (LAB).


The Anxiety Wave

Use DART steps to keep the wave manageable.

  • Learn 4 steps that keep your anxiety manageable and panic-free.
Anxiety wave

Real Results

A’s Personal Improvement Plan (PIP)

Dr. Mathews works with each participant to target anxiety situations at work/school, personal life and in the practice groups. Dr. Mathews tailors the group practice exercises to each person’s needs and anxiety level. This ensures each participant desensitizes most effectively.

Enrolled in: Desensitization Laboratory (LAB) program.

Live Trainings
Countries
Free Assessments
Years in Practice
Need help?

Meet your guide.

Mentor | Trainer | Coach

Dr. Cheryl Mathews

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

I’m on a mission. It’s personal.

Early in my career, I had debilitating speaking anxiety and had to figure out how to overcome it. I know how painful it is—it put my career and life goals on hold for over a decade. Then I attended a public speaking phobia program that was TRANSFORMATIVE (it no longer exists). I went on to become an executive in major corporations and tech startups where I continually faced high-pressure speaking situations. In this program, I’ve combined my own experience with scientific research to explain why panic happens and how to get unstuck. No matter what level of anxiety you have, it is possible to get better. 
The thing I hear the most from clients is “you’re the first professional I’ve talked to that gets it.”

I work as a coach – not as a licensed therapist.

Speaking Anxiety Control by Dr Mathews.

Do you hate being put on the spot? Introducing yourself in a group? Going around the table giving an update in a meeting? Giving speeches or presentations? You got it – it’s all of those situations where all eyes are on you and you have to speak.

In those situations, do you lose control of your body? Do you have symptoms like heart beating faster, voice quivering, mind going blank, breathlessness, sweating, blushing and other bodily symptoms?

This book shows you how to retake control and calm down so you can speak. This book compliments the gradual desensitization and gentle exposure program at SpeakCalmHQ.com.

Dr. Cheryl Mathews Book
embrace a science-based system
created by a doctor of psychology

Afraid of practicing?

Everything you do in this program is manageable for you

What this is

  • Taking very manageable baby steps
  • Tailored to your needs
  • A safe gradual desensitization program
  • Designed for high anxiety and panic
  • Smart and strategic – you’re always in control

What this is NOT

  • Gritting your teeth and enduring the pain
  • Feeling overwhelmed and out of control
  • Being heroic
  • Being forced to practice things you’re not ready for

It’s not about gritting your teeth and enduring the pain. It’s about going into speaking situations with proven strategies and taking baby steps that are totally manageable for you.

Is this course for me?


Find out by taking the public speaking anxiety test. Get your score.

Low anxiety

If your score is lower than 98, you have low public speaking anxiety.

Recommendation: Join a speaking practice group such as SpeakCalm Practice Clubs or Toastmasters Clubs.

Medium Anxiety

If your score is between 98-131, you have medium speaking anxiety.

Recommendation: Start the Essentials Course and join the SpeakCalm Practice Clubs to build skill and confidence.

high Anxiety

If your score is higher than 131, you have high public speaking anxiety.

Recommendation: the Desensitization Laboratory (LAB) program. After you complete the LAB, join the SpeakCalm Practice Clubs. 

Does it work?

“This was an amazing course”

I strongly recommend it for anyone who is serious about overcoming public speaking anxiety. Dr. Mathews walks you through a deep understanding of what causes public speaking anxiety, teaches you tools to overcome this anxiety, and so much more. I now have a plan in place that I feel confident will get me to where I need to be and most importantly I know that I’m not alone. I look forward to continuing to develop myself and sincerely appreciate Dr. Mathews’ kindhearted and no-nonsense approach. Military Officer.

“The course was a complete game changer for me!”

My presentation at the conference went well! I was very calm during the presentation. I wouldn’t have even been able to imagine I could have pulled this off just a couple of months ago.
I am very happy that I did the presentation instead of going to extreme lengths to avoid it again. It’s very liberating to know that I can do it and I don’t need to come up with yet another excuse to avoid it. Finance Executive.

“I don’t know how but I was so calm the entire time! “

The interview went well. I don’t know how but I was so calm the entire time! You were a huge help. I could not have done this without you. And.. they’ve just offered me the job. In shock! This was literally all because of working with you. I wasn’t even nervous at all. Thank you so much honestly I owe it all to our sessions! Research Manager.

“It is life changing.”

Today’s webinar was a great success! I did 20 mins to an audience of 50 people. I also did a 10 minute briefing with no notes to a board member. This was the first time in recent memory that I haven’t dreaded doing something like this with high stakes. All of what you told me is starting to happen. I am starting to realize the power and control you have in a presentation with pausing and the delivery in general. It was a very important moment today to do this for the client.  In all my career, I never delivered a presentation or briefing so comfortably. It is pretty incredible to actually see and feel progress. It is life-changing. Lobbyist

“The LAB was an invaluable experience for me.”
It was something I had been looking for over the past year. I am glad I found Dr. Mathews and was able to attend her Lab. She is very committed to the participants and their concerns, and provides very useful guidance. During the Lab I was able to practice impromptu speaking, and to learn how to organize my thoughts, and how to control my levels of anxiety when speaking. Also, I received valuable feedback not only from her but from other participants, and this has helped me to increase my self confidence, and to develop more positive thoughts about self. I recommend this Lab very highly as it offers ways to become calmer when speaking before other people, and to enjoy sharing with others without having fear or a feeling of panic. Trainer.

“Provides an insightful understanding of speaking fear and achievable steps for overcoming it.”

The LAB was a wonderful experience! I was able to finally learn valuable techniques to help me better manage anxiety in a very safe environment.
I met others with the same challenges in the LAB and that made it a lot easier for me to relax and realize that we were all on the same journey and were there to help each other. Dr Cheryl was also very helpful in patiently guiding us through our sessions and helping us create new thought patterns. Also, I learned a lot from the feedback from others in the group. The feedback was so helpful.
After the first two sessions, I began to see my anxiety coming down through lots of practice opportunities I got in the lab. In one lab session, I gave a 5-minute talk and I was so happy because I knew I could do it.
Toastmasters is great but it was too overwhelming for me. The LAB however gave me a way to work on my anxiety gradually in a very manageable way. After the LAB, I am now confident that I have the tools to join a toastmasters group online to increase my practice opportunities.
Overall, the LAB was an awesome experience and I would encourage anyone who may be struggling with speaking anxiety of any sort to take part in it. Engineer.