Performance Anxiety Therapists

Performance anxiety can hold you back from showing your true abilities. Connect with therapists on First Session who can help you perform with greater confidence.

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Performance anxiety—whether in sports, music, public speaking, work presentations, or exams—can make high-stakes moments feel overwhelming. Physical symptoms like racing heart, shaking, or blanking out can undermine your abilities and erode confidence over time. Therapy can help you understand what's driving the anxiety and develop strategies to perform more freely.

On First Session, you can browse therapists who specialize in performance anxiety. Watch their intro videos to get a sense of their approach, then book a session directly online. All therapists have had their credentials verified during onboarding.

Renata Paula da Silva Roma

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Renata Paula da Silva Roma

Renata Paula da Silva Roma

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
she/her
$150/session
Grief and Loss, Anxiety, OCD, Separation anxiety, Social anxiety, Performance anxiety, Depression, Perfectionism, Life transitions, Cultural Challenges, Burnout, Grief Processing, People pleasing, Phobias, Fears and phobia, Befriending the Nervous System, Attachment, Low mood, Panic attacks, Thought Restructuring, Trauma
Grief and Loss, Anxiety, OCD, Separation anxiety, Social anxiety, Performance anxiety, Depression, Perfectionism, Life transitions, Cultural Challenges, Burnout, Grief Processing, People pleasing, Phobias, Fears and phobia, Befriending the Nervous System, Attachment, Low mood, Panic attacks, Thought Restructuring, Trauma
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Candice Burnett

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
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Offers In-Person (Vernon, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC, NT, YT, AB, SK, and NL.
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Candice Burnett

Candice Burnett

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
she/her
$160/session
Creativity, Psychedelic therapy, Disability, Addiction, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Children/Teens, Competitive anxiety, Dreams, Existential questions, Confidence, Identity and Self-Exploration, Learning disabilities, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Performance anxiety, Sports Performance, Thought Restructuring, Somatic Therapy, Brain injury, Empowerment
Creativity, Psychedelic therapy, Disability, Addiction, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Children/Teens, Competitive anxiety, Dreams, Existential questions, Confidence, Identity and Self-Exploration, Learning disabilities, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Performance anxiety, Sports Performance, Thought Restructuring, Somatic Therapy, Brain injury, Empowerment
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Shannon Bradley

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Burk's Falls, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Shannon Bradley

Shannon Bradley

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
$140/session
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues, Grief and Loss
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues, Grief and Loss
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Jason Scriven

Pre-Licensed Professional
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Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in YT, BC, and AB.
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Jason Scriven

Jason Scriven

Pre-Licensed Professional
He/him
$150/session
Separation and divorce, Men's issues, Co-founder relationships, Anger Management, Anxiety, Burnout, Career guidance, Workplace stress, College or University Coaching, Effective communication, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Infidelity, Masculinity, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Overwhelm, Parental divorce, Performance anxiety, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Vulnerability, Depression
Separation and divorce, Men's issues, Co-founder relationships, Anger Management, Anxiety, Burnout, Career guidance, Workplace stress, College or University Coaching, Effective communication, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Infidelity, Masculinity, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Overwhelm, Parental divorce, Performance anxiety, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Vulnerability, Depression
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Dennis Keefe

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Dennis Keefe

Dennis Keefe

Registered Psychotherapist
$175/session
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Men's issues, Motivation, OCD, Pain management, Panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Performance anxiety, Relationships, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, Disability, Grief and Loss
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Men's issues, Motivation, OCD, Pain management, Panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Performance anxiety, Relationships, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, Disability, Grief and Loss
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Brant Stachel

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Kingston, ON)
Virtual Sessions in AB and ON.
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Brant Stachel

Brant Stachel

Registered Psychotherapist
$200/session
Eating disorders, Men's issues, Mental performance, Performance anxiety, Sports Performance
Eating disorders, Men's issues, Mental performance, Performance anxiety, Sports Performance
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Anka Krivokuca

Registered Social Worker
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Anka Krivokuca

Anka Krivokuca

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$190/session
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, OCD, ADHD, Body Dysmorphia, Depression, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Workplace stress, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Relationship anxiety, Performance anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, PTSD
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, OCD, ADHD, Body Dysmorphia, Depression, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Workplace stress, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Relationship anxiety, Performance anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, PTSD
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Andrea Montello

Psychologist
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Offers In-Person (Windsor, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Andrea Montello

Andrea Montello

Psychologist
She/Her
$235/session
Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Childhood trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Trauma, Trauma processing, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Sports Performance, Specific phobias, Social anxiety, Depression, Emotional Numbness, Fears and phobia, Intergenerational trauma, Performance anxiety, Grief Processing, Nervous system regulation
Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Childhood trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Trauma, Trauma processing, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Sports Performance, Specific phobias, Social anxiety, Depression, Emotional Numbness, Fears and phobia, Intergenerational trauma, Performance anxiety, Grief Processing, Nervous system regulation
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Nicholas Balaisis

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Kitchener, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, and QC.
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Nicholas Balaisis

Nicholas Balaisis

Registered Psychotherapist
$155/session
Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Career guidance, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Masculinity, Insomnia, Infidelity, Intimacy concerns, Meaning and purpose, Men's issues, Performance anxiety, Parenting, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transformative dream work, Sexuality, Relationships, Spirituality, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Career guidance, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Masculinity, Insomnia, Infidelity, Intimacy concerns, Meaning and purpose, Men's issues, Performance anxiety, Parenting, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transformative dream work, Sexuality, Relationships, Spirituality, Identity and Self-Exploration
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About First Session
What is performance anxiety?

Performance anxiety is intense nervousness or fear that arises in situations where you're being evaluated or observed. It can affect athletes, musicians, students, public speakers, and professionals alike. Symptoms may include racing heart, sweating, trembling, difficulty concentrating, and fear of judgment or failure. While some nervousness is normal, performance anxiety becomes a problem when it interferes with your ability to perform.

Who might benefit from therapy for performance anxiety?

Anyone whose performance is affected by anxiety may benefit from therapy. This includes athletes struggling with competition nerves, musicians or performers with stage fright, students experiencing test anxiety, professionals who dread presentations, or anyone who avoids opportunities because of fear of performing. Therapy can help you reclaim confidence in high-pressure moments.

What's it like to work on performance anxiety in therapy?

Sessions often involve understanding the thoughts and physical sensations that fuel your anxiety, developing coping strategies, and gradually building confidence through practice. Some therapists use cognitive behavioural techniques to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, while others may incorporate mindfulness, visualization, or exposure exercises. The approach is tailored to your specific situation.

How long does therapy for performance anxiety typically take?

Many people see meaningful improvement within several sessions of focused work. The timeline depends on the severity of your anxiety and how long you've been experiencing it. Your therapist can help you set realistic goals and adjust the approach as you progress.

How do I know if a therapist is right for me?

On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to get a sense of their style and expertise. Look for someone who seems understanding and experienced with anxiety in performance contexts. Many therapists offer free consultations to help you determine fit.

How do I book a session?

Browse therapists on First Session who work with performance anxiety. Watch their intro videos, review their profiles, and book directly online when you find someone who resonates. With the right support, you can learn to perform more freely and confidently.