The fear of speaking before a group affects a high percentage of American adults. The effectiveness of an audiotape desensitization program was compared to conventional therapist-led group desensitization and no treatment for the modification of speech and communication anxiety behaviors. All desensitization treated subjects demonstrated significant anxiety level changes. Non-treated subjects did not. Subjects in the audiotape condition did not score in a significantly different manner from therapist-led group subjects. The results of the study indicate than an audiotape, low-therapist-contact desensitization program can be as effective as the customary therapist-directed desensitization programs. It also demonstrated the feasibility and acceptance of such a program by counseling clinic clients. (Author)