Communication = Key to High Performance

The ability to communicate is imperative for success in relationships, business, academics, and other venues. Anxiety, however, often inhibits communication. For example, fear of public speaking is the number one phobia. Avoidance of communication with authority figures is close behind. Selective mutism (SM) is a condition where anxiety inhibits or paralyzes verbal communication. Often misdiagnosed as a speech disorder, SM affects individuals of all ages.

Communication is the key to social-ability, and the most important social skill. It is crucial for proactive and assertive behavior. Countless individuals with whom I have worked have presented their problem as a conversation disability. They say “I don't know how to keep the conversation going”, “I have nothing to say”, or “what do you say after you say hello?” Their social and performance anxiety is characterized by overvaluing what they believe are errors or mistakes in communication. Often they experience visceral discomfort concurrent with embarrassment, humiliation, and fear of rejection. Many individuals have an overpowering need for perfection in the communication process. When their concept of perfection is not reached, anxiety rules! It is common for obsessive thinking to result in avoidance of the situations where communication is a challenge. The more avoidance takes place, the more communication skills are inhibited. Likewise, as an individual is dependent on others to communicate for them, the learning of communication skills will be inhibited.

I have “performed” on over 1200 television and radio shows, everything from Oprah to “Opie and Anthony”. The key to my success has been communication. The key to developing my communication skills has been experience and learning from, rather than overvaluing, mistakes.

This process is the key for resolution of social and performance anxiety.

Your Options

1. Free Introductory CD
2. The book, "Beyond Shyness: How to Conquer Social Anxieties" (Simon & Schuster)
3. Comprehensive self-therapy audio CD program for social and performance anxiety
4. Public Speaking Anxiety: Self Therapy Audio CD Program
5. Therapy in Great Neck, New York
6. Telephone therapy
7. Selective Mutism Seminar on Audio CD
8. "Parenting The Selectively Mute Child": Self-therapy Audio CD Program
9. "Social Therapy and the Learning Disabled: A seminar on Audio CD
10. Free social-ability questionnaire
11. Free "Parent Addiction" quiz
12. Subscribe to the Tip of the Month Club

There are many free self diagnostic options at www.social-anxiety.com