In the context of managing public speaking apprehension, the process of systematic desensitization starts with:

a. consciously tensing and relaxing muscle groups.
b. replacing negative self-talk with positive self-talk.
c. developing positive coping statements.
d. making an audience analysis.

a. consciously tensing and relaxing muscle groups.
Systematic desensitization can help reduce anxiety by gradually visualizing and engaging in increasingly more frightening speaking events while remaining in a relaxed state. The process starts with consciously tensing and then relaxing muscle groups to learn how to recognize the difference between the two states.