what others say

In addition to the reviews below you may wish to read this blog post which includes some stories from past clients. All reviews on this page are genuine but are published using first names only to protect client privacy.  Some of these reviews have also been published as google five star reviews with full names. 
Highly recommend this course for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills. I learnt a lot and look forward to putting into practice further the skills I learnt. Catherine is also wonderful too :)
-Jemma, course participant April 2022
I enrolled in this course in order to prepare to give a wedding speech. I initially did the course online, but enjoyed it so much and got so much out of it that I decided to do it again in person. In both cases the groups were fantastic – loads of laughs and tons of supportive comments. This course seems specifically geared toward people who have a phobia of public speaking but are maybe not yet ready to take the plunge and join a Toastmasters club etc. As such it brings together people from a wide-range of backgrounds who have at least two things in common – a heightened level of anxiety or uncertainty about speaking in public, and a determination to overcome it. Catherine provides a huge amount of material and advice, and is consistently supportive. She goes over a wide range of tools that can be used to overcome nerves, structure presentations better and so on, and provides a non-judgmental environment in which to practice them, at an undemanding pace. I honestly cannot recommend this course highly enough.
-Ross, course participant April 2022
The best place to become a fearless public speaker. A wonderful team with like-minded people to accept and support your mistakes and helps to overcome the obstacles you have in delivering a good talk. Catherine is a truly motivational and supportive leader.
- Ashin, course participant April 2022
This course is different to any others like it. Loved every minute of it. Everything Catherine said made sense to us. She has given us the tools we need, but now need to put them into practice.
- Stuart, course participant April 2022
"Catherine's course is perfect for anyone wanting to face, understand and overcome their fear of public speaking. It's a safe space to learn and practise speaking with a group that's facing exactly the same issues. I guarantee your perspective of what you're capable of will change for the better doing this course."
-Nathan, course participant April 2022. 
"Fantastic course with small numbers. Would highly recommend to people at all levels. Finished the course more confident and with a full toolkit on how to handle my nerves and how to prepare a great speech. Catherine is a wonderful teacher, knows her stuff and provides constructive feedback. Do it!!"
- Jane, course participant August 2021
"This course with Catherine is perfect for anybody who has an unnecessary phobia of public speaking. Catherine's teaching methods are really great and it's really comforting being in a small group of people who are there for the same reasons that you will be."
- Joseph, course participant August 2021
"If you need help with Public Speaking, I would 100% recommend this course. As someone who was terrified at the possibility of public speaking this course helped me immensely to battle with the nerves and gave me practical advice to overcome these challenges. The group we had was amazing and super supportive and it was a real pleasure to see each one of them develop over the weeks. If you want to get better at public speaking in a supportive, non-judgmental environment this is the course for you."
- Matt, course participant May 2021
"I have struggled with social anxiety and lack of confidence with public speaking for quite a few years. Catherine provides a safe, non judgemental space for you to practice public speaking. I would encourage anyone who struggles with public speaking to bite the bullet, be courageous and commit to this course, you won't regret it! I got so much out of it and feel much more confident."
- Samantha, course participant May 2021
"Such a great course! Learnt so much and increased my confidence 10 fold! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an opportunity to go outside their comfort zone! Thanks Catherine!"
-James, course participant May 2021
"I've been looking for a course like this for a long time to address what had become a very limiting fear of public speaking. I'd done one other course before but it didn't quite hit the mark. This course was perfectly balanced for me and it seemed many others. Catherine's approach is very down to earth and honest but also extremely practical and effective. The course was well run and structured and I would gladly recommend this course to anyone."
- Tony , course participant November 2020
"Catherine provides a great course for people looking to get over the initial fear and anxiety of public speaking. The course provides great learnings on why we feel how we do with public speaking and some methods to overcome it. There are also opportunities to practice speaking to help develop the skill."
- Matt, course participant September 2020
"I have always had a fear of public speaking and had some severe panic attacks while speaking in public in the past. Catherine's course took a lot of courage for me to start, but once there, I felt so comfortable with Catherine and the group that I really looked forward to each class. The learning components and practical exercises were at a perfect pace for me. I now know the tools and techniques to get past the fear and present well. I am so much more confident about public speaking now and wish I'd known about the course earlier. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to improve their presentation skills."
- Wanda. course participant August 2020
"Before taking this course I couldn't think of anything worse than getting up to present to people. After finishing the course I'm actually finding it rather enjoyable which is not something I expected! This is a great way to practice speaking in front of people in a relaxed environment where everyone is on the same page as you."
- Patience, course participant August 2020
"I found the Fear-Less course really valuable. I could definitely feel the improvement in my public speaking by the end of it. There was a great combination of strategies and practice opportunities in a positive and encouraging environment. Highly recommend."
- Jazz, online course participant May 2020
"This a great course to start practising and learning public speaking. It will provide you with a safe place to practice and by the end you will feel more confident in yourself."
- Hanna, online course participant May 2020​
"I was so nervous to start this course, and on the first night wanted to run back out of the classroom, but within 15/20mins of starting the class, Catherine had put my mind at ease. For a long time, I wanted to get on top of my fear of speaking in front of a group or in the boardroom but was too scared....finally I took the plunge and all I can say is that I am so happy I did. Catherine is an expert at making you feel comfortable and she 100% can fully understand where you are coming from. Completing the course just made me feel so happy and definitely more confident. I did notice in the first few weeks that I was a lot calmer about speaking and I looked for opportunities like Catherine had suggested. I would highly recommend this course to anyone is very nervous of speaking in front of a group, in a board room and/or giving presentations. Thank you so much Catherine."
- Louise, course participant December 2019
"Public speaking is one of my weaknesses, one that I thought I would never overcome. It has affected my career progression as I often give people the impression of being an ineffective communicator because of my fear of speaking up in front of a group. I decided to do something about it, but with a very low expectation of getting myself out of this dark hole. However, Catherine has changed my view that public speaking is not everyone’s cup of tea; it’s only a gift to someone but not to everyone. In her short eight weeks program, I have learned a lot more about why the fear of public speaking is fixable, and how to get better at it within a safe & comfortable environment.  I have enjoyed the time spent in the classes, gained the knowledge and skills on how to manage my fears, and most importantly, I got back my confidence in public speaking. I highly recommend Catherine’s course to anyone who wants to overcome the fear of public speaking or  polish their public speaking skills."
 - Steven, course participate October 2019
"An amazing, supportive course that will help anyone who has a fear of public speaking. Highly recommend!"
- Katie, course participant October 2019
​"I have dreaded public speaking to the point where I have avoided it my entire life. Situations where I had to speak, I felt completely out of control and choked up. It was a massive fear. Doing the Fear-less course has totally turned that around for me. I have managed to disable that subconscious belief that I can’t do it. Now that I know I can, I have the tools to move forward and keep improving. This course was the best gift I could give myself and Catherine has put together such a great, concise, sensible approach. The classes were comfortable in size, relaxed surroundings and just really conducive for learning a new skill. Can’t recommend this more highly."
- Kelly, course participant October 2019
"I’ve been meaning to face my fear of public speaking for years – I’m so glad I finally did. The course had a perfect mix of instruction and learning with chances to practice in front of a small audience – exactly what I needed to grow my confidence."
- Laurie, course participant October 2019
"Catherine's course was fantastic. The balance of theory and practical was spot on, and the intimate setting she creates in her classes provides the perfect safe zone to start learning and picking up confidence. It's been such a helpful course, and one that has given me a toolbox of tips and tricks to call on when needed. Thank you!"
- Ruby, course participant October 2019
"I'm the guy who sits at the back of a meeting, makes excuses whenever I'm chosen to speak and overall wouldn't dare volunteer to speak in front of any type of audience! Before I attended this course I struggled alot with public speaking... had a high level of anxiety about public speaking and couldn't write a well structured presentation even if my life depended on it! The course definitely changed all of that. Now I only look forward to giving speeches whenever I am given the opportunity to! 
- Atty, course participant October 2019
"I really got a lot out of Catherine’s course. I think the content strips things back to basics and I learnt that I can actually feel the nerves but know they are like a wave and not to fight them. The group was a wonderful bunch of people and we bonded over our shared fear. I never felt judged, only supported which was a helpful feeling when talking seated in a boardroom had even become a fear. I did struggle with not comparing myself to others, thinking they are better but then I also learnt my own unique strengths through watching other people’s deliveries. I recommend this to people who want to start small, just to regain some perspective that its okay to be nervous but it can be done!!"
​- Shay, course particpant October 2019
"Catherine’s very well-designed course has been life-changing for me. It had got to the point where I thought my fear of public speaking was insurmountable – I was proven wrong. It was really comforting being in a small group who were feeling just as vulnerable as I was. Catherine’s gentle encouragement and honest feedback allowed us to feel the amazing sense of accomplishment that comes from facing a fear and learning new skills. I finally have the confidence to join Toastmasters and will continue on this journey. I now feel more excited about my future and the new opportunities I can explore."
- Michaela, course participant June 2019
"Catherine is an inspirational teacher. Her Programme Fear-less Public speaking was incredible. I had lost my confidence, just because I had not done any public speaking for years. Catherine created a safe space for the group where we could work with our different stages and nerves. She covers how to write your speech, body language and position. Her feedback is encouraging and gentle. I am so grateful, thank you Catherine my confidence has returned. I met some incredible people and will miss my Tuesday mornings. "
- Baksho, course participant February 2019
"The course was great! I was terrified of public speaking, and of even showing up to this course. But it helped hugely and very glad I did it! Thanks Catherine!"
- Will, course participant February 2019
"It was a big deal for me to book this course, but now I have seen it through and completed it, I'm so glad I did it ! .. It has got me out of the starting blocks and on my way, I noticed the difference in my confidence by course end. Thank you Catherine"
- Ian, course participant February 2019
"This course is amazing. Catherine has given me the tools and techniques to present confidently and no longer lose sleep leading up to presentation. I'm so glad I did it."
- Kylie, course participant February 2019
​"Catherine has been instrumental in empowering me to develop my public speaking confidence over the past year. I felt reassured as she drew on years of experience to help me with constructive and empathetic feedback that I could immediately employ and grow from. I would not hesitate to book onto her course, and recommend her mentoring for anyone who has struggled with speaking in public, who doubts their abilities or just want to fine tune their presentation skills."  
​- Reza, member of Talking Heads Toastmasters, March 2019
​I found the 8-week fear-less speaking course valuable with takeaway notes and experience that I will be able to use and build on with ongoing practice.  Catherine is a wonderful facilitator who has a calm presence, is approachable and makes all attendees feel welcome.  Her style encourages and is able to get full participation from the group.  We all progressed very well over the 8-week period and were able to deliver improved presentations by the end of the course."
- ​Vanessa, course participant, September 2018
“Catherine has provided a series of Toastmaster workshops with a number of our Year 10 students over the past couple of years. Over the 9-week course students who identified themselves as incapable of public speaking were all able to deliver both prepared and impromptu speeches. The balance of formal structure and interactive activities, delivered in such a supportive environment, allowed them to grow in confidence and competence. Many of these students have since been able to articulate their ideas in class discussions and for assessment, something they would never have chosen to do prior to Catherine’s programme.”
​– Patricia Milner, Deputy Principal Epsom Girls Grammar , 2018