EMDR for Performance Anxiety - Rewiring the Fear of Being Seen

Performance anxiety isn’t just about nerves before a big moment; it’s often rooted in deeper emotional experiences. Shame, criticism, fear of failure, or even early experiences of being misunderstood can leave lasting imprints on the nervous system. These imprints shape how we show up in the world, especially when visibility, evaluation, or pressure are involved.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) offers a powerful way to work with these imprints. It’s not about pushing through anxiety or forcing confidence. It’s about helping the brain reprocess the emotional memories that fuel the fear response, so that performance becomes less about survival and more about presence.

In my practice, I’ve worked with athletes, musicians, public speakers, therapists, and creatives, all of whom struggled with performance anxiety in different forms. Some felt paralysed before speaking or became consumed by self-doubt before stepping onto stage or into the spotlight. Others experienced physical symptoms like nausea, shaking, or dissociation. Many carried internal narratives such as I’ll mess this up, I’m not good enough, or They’ll laugh at me. These beliefs weren’t random; they were rooted in past experiences.

EMDR helps clients revisit those experiences safely. Using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements), we activate the brain’s natural processing system. The goal isn’t to relive trauma, it’s to rewire how the brain stores it. Clients often find that memories lose their emotional charge, and new, adaptive beliefs begin to take hold. For example, someone who was harshly criticised as a child might carry a fear of being judged. In EMDR, we target that memory and help the brain reprocess it. Over time, the client begins to feel safer being seen, heard, and evaluated. They might shift from I’ll be rejected to I can handle this; not just intellectually, but emotionally.

Performance anxiety also involves the body. EMDR supports nervous system regulation, helping clients move from fight-or-flight into a state of calm alertness. This is essential for flow, that sweet spot where focus, creativity, and confidence meet. When the body feels safe, the mind can perform.

Importantly, EMDR is flexible. It can be used alongside counselling, hypnotherapy, and coaching. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tool that adapts to each client’s needs. Some sessions focus on specific events (like a failed audition or humiliating presentation). Others explore broader patterns of self-doubt or perfectionism.

Clients often report feeling lighter, more grounded, and more capable after EMDR. They don’t just 'cope' with performance, they begin to enjoy it. They reconnect with their passion, their voice, and their ability to show up fully.

If you’ve ever felt dread before performing, speaking, or being seen, know that it’s not a flaw. It’s a signal. And EMDR can help you listen to that signal, understand it, and transform it. Because you deserve to show up with confidence, and self-trust.