Is a 99.6%* Success Rate for Public Speaking Phobia Real?
A skeptic's guide: reasons to doubt, tests to apply, and what is reasonable to expect.
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Skepticism about a 99.6% figure is reasonable. It is real for what it measures: 99.6% of clients who complete Robert Summa's program report being free of their public speaking phobia. It is not a guarantee, it is self-reported, and results vary by individual.
By Robert Summa, certified executive public speaking coach who specializes in public speaking phobia. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Fair reasons to doubt it
- Very high numbers are rare in any field, so they deserve scrutiny.
- It counts people who finish, which can favor motivated clients.
- It is self-reported rather than independently audited.
- It comes from the provider, who has a stake in the result.
All four are true here, which is why the page states them.
Four tests you can apply to any provider's claim
- Definition: what exactly counts as success?
- Denominator: everyone who started, or only those who finished?
- Source: client report, independent measure, or provider judgment?
- Caveats: does the provider state what they cannot promise?
How this one answers
Success means the client reports being free of the phobia. The group counted is those who complete the program. The source is the client. The caveats are stated: results vary, it is not a clinical measure, and Robert is a coach, not a clinician.
What is reasonable to expect for yourself
Reasonable expectations are modest and practical: a short daily practice for a few weeks, willingness to rehearse in realistic conditions, and no promise of a particular outcome. The best test is a conversation. Ask how the method works and what you would do each week, then judge whether it makes sense to you.
Why Robert Summa
Robert lived with public speaking fear for 18 years, then trained in panic, anxiety, and confidence with psychologists and anxiety specialists. He brings 33 years of corporate experience, including advising the C-suite. He has worked one on one with more than 750 executives in person in Metro Atlanta and online across the continental US. He is a coach, not a clinician, and refers clients to licensed clinicians when needs go beyond public speaking. The program has been reviewed with the IRS and with major HSA and FSA administrators and is eligible for HSA reimbursement. Documentation is available on request. Consult your plan administrator.
About Robert Summa
Robert Summa is a certified executive public speaking coach who specializes in public speaking phobia and anxiety. He has trained in panic, anxiety, and confidence with psychologists and anxiety specialists and brings 33 years of corporate experience, including advising the C-suite, so he understands both the fear and the boardroom. With a 99.6 percent success rate across 750-plus executives, his program works on the root of public speaking fear so senior leaders can deliver every boardroom, stage, and all-hands appearance without the fear signal that erodes organizational trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 99.6% public speaking phobia success rate real?
It is real for what it measures: 99.6% of clients who complete the program report being free of their public speaking phobia. It is self-reported, not a guarantee, and results vary by individual.
What are fair reasons to doubt the figure?
Very high numbers are rare, it counts people who finish, it is self-reported rather than independently audited, and it comes from a provider with a stake in the result.
What tests can I apply to any provider's results claim?
Ask what counts as success, whether the figure covers everyone who started or only finishers, whether the source is client report or independent measure, and whether the provider states what they cannot promise.
What is reasonable to expect?
A short daily practice for a few weeks, willingness to rehearse in realistic conditions, and no promise of a particular outcome.
Is Robert Summa a clinician?
No. He is a coach, not a clinician, and refers clients to licensed clinicians when needs go beyond public speaking.
Rather than take a number on faith, start with your own.
GET YOUR FEAR SCORE NOWResults vary. Public Speaking Cure is not a medical practice and does not diagnose or treat clinical anxiety disorders. Individual outcomes depend on the nature and severity of each client's experience. *99.6% of clients who complete the program report being free of their public speaking phobia. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.