Client Case
Presenting Issues
Client reported intense anxiety before and during competitive events, resulting in poor performance despite strong preparation. Symptoms included nausea, self-doubt, disrupted sleep, and a fear of embarrassment or failure.
Background Information
Client is a 24-year-old semi-professional athlete who performs well in training but struggles during live competitions. They described a history of perfectionism, fear of judgment, and pressure to meet expectations from coaches and family.
Assesment
Assessment revealed a pattern of performance anxiety triggered by high-stakes environments. A cognitive-emotional profile showed:
- Core belief: “If I don’t win, I’m not good enough.”
- Trigger points: pre-event build-up, audience presence, and comparisons with peers.
- Emotional imprint: pressure, shame, and fear of disappointing others.
Treatment Plan
Goals
- Reduce physical symptoms of anxiety during competition
- Reframe mindset around performance and outcome
- Develop a pre-performance routine that builds calm and focus
Intervention Strategies
- Hypnotherapy sessions to install calm confidence and focus
- Anchoring techniques to access “flow state” under pressure
- Timeline regression to shift internalised pressure narratives
- List Item
- Breath and visualisation techniques integrated into warm-up
Frequency and Duration
Weekly 60-minute sessions for 5 weeks
1 follow-up session after next major competition
1 follow-up session after next major competition
Results
Client reported significantly reduced nerves before competing
Improved concentration and enjoyment during events
Achieved a personal best in their next competition
Reported greater emotional resilience after setbacks
Reclaimed a sense of purpose and control over performance
"I used to dread competitions—now I see them as a chance to show what I’ve got. The difference in how I feel going into them is night and day."
Case Details
Symptoms Encountered
Pre-event nerves, nausea, self-doubt, disrupted sleep, fear of embarrassment, performance drops under pressure, perfectionism, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm.