EXPERT ONLINE PRIVATE SPEECH THERAPY FOR ADULTS WHO STUTTER
Our UK based Clinical Specialist in Stuttering has 28 years’ experience of working in the field of Stuttering. She has worked at the Michael Palin Centre in London (an international centre of excellence for the treatment of Stuttering) and is a Registered European Fluency Specialist.
Stuttering affects a person’s ability to speak fluently. Online Private Speech Therapy for Stuttering does not focus just on the stutter itself, but the ways you think and feel about stuttering. Through Stuttering Therapy you will learn about your stutter, reduce avoidance of situations and reduce your negative thoughts about stuttering.
To arrange a free consultation, contact our Private Speech Therapy team now via email or telephone.
SPEECH THERAPY FOR ADULTS WHO STUTTER
Many adults who stutter tell us that their stuttering is impacting on their day to day life and is holding them back both socially and at work. They find talking effortful both physically and mentally. They avoid certain words or speaking situations for fear of stuttering and experience a number of strong emotions related to their stuttering such as embarrassment, anger, fear, shame, guilt and loneliness. For some, they are working so hard to conceal their stuttering from others (by avoiding words and avoiding talking altogether), they may pass as fluent. This is referred to as an ‘Interiorised Stutter’ – you stutter on the inside, but not on the outside. This does not mean that you have a less severe stutter- it means you have a different type of stutter. We have spoken to people that feel that because their outward stutter is mild, they have been told, they do not need Speech Therapy. It is not the severity of the stutter but how it makes you feel that is important.
You may feel that the stutter has recently got worse and that you are suddenly stammering more than previously. You may be feeling more worried or anxious about your speech.
How can Online Private Speech Therapy for Stuttering help?
There are a number of different Speech Therapy for Stuttering therapy approaches that can help Adults who stutter to reduce the impact of stuttering on their day to day life. You and your therapist will choose a suitable stuttering therapy approach tailored to your individual needs. Private Speech Therapy sessions may include working directly on your speech as well as exploring the psychological and emotional aspects of your stammering.
Aims of stuttering therapy typically include:
- Increasing your knowledge and understanding of stuttering and its influencing factors
- Developing your confident to communicate, whether you stutter or not
- Helping you to manage the emotions associated with your stuttering
- Reducing the amount of avoidance strategies you are using
- Encouraging you to be more open about your stuttering
- Learning techniques that make talking easier and less effortful
Online Private Speech Therapy for stuttering gives you the privacy you need to improve your speech, in the comfort of your own home.
We also provide Speech and Language Therapy for cluttering which is rapid speech, that is often described as ‘jerky’ with unusual pauses and rhythm which affects a person’s overall clarity.
If you are looking for a job it's important to focus on your skills, but an interview scenario can exacerbate a stammer and make this difficult. Private Online Therapy for stuttering can support you in interview preparation to increase your confidence and allow you to communicate your skills clearly. Take a look at our blog page for more information regarding stuttering and interview preparation. You can read more about this by clicking here
Public speaking and stuttering
Fear of public speaking is very common and often leads people that have a stutter to avoid situations where it is required. However, it is often a major part of many University courses, and may be required in the workplace. Online therapy for stuttering can support you to reduce your fears and avoidance, and allow you to embrace opportunities for your future.
Some universities require medical evidence about your stammer. We have supported students by completing an assessment and a provided a written report suggesting ways for the university to support students who stutter in their studies. This might be by recommending extended time, identifying barriers, and recommend strategies to make these examinations easier. We can also provide therapy to improve your confidence for oral exams and presentations. Click here to read more.
Using the telephone and stuttering
Our Speech Therapy team are clinical specialists who understand how difficult it is to live with a stutter. We know it can be hard to contact a clinic and ask for help. During our telephone consultation we want to hear about how we can best support you. There is no need to feel rushed and no need to feel you have to hide your stutter. You can call us now to organise a free consultation - or if you feel talking on the telephone would be too difficult, you can contact us by email instead.
To arrange a free consultation, contact our Speech Therapy team now via email or telephone.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STAMMER AND A STUTTER? WHAT IS STAMMERING VS STUTTERING?
In the UK, we use both the terms ‘stammering’ and ‘stuttering’ whereas other countries called it ‘stuttering’. Both stammering and stuttering mean the same thing.
WHAT IS A STutter?
A stutter affects a person's ability to speak with fluency. Speech Therapy does not focus on just the stutter itself, but the ways you think and feel about stuttering. Through online Speech Therapy for stuttering, you will learn about your stutter, reduce avoidance of situations and reduce your negative thoughts about stuttering.
Adults sometimes contact us saying they are unsure whether they have a stutter. Typically, a stutter features the following behaviours:
Repetitions of single syllable whole words, such as “and-and-and or I-I--I-I”
Repetitions of sounds or syllables, such as “co-co-computer” or “c-c-c—cat”
Elongating or prolonging sounds (prolongations), such as fffffffish or aaaaaapple
A word gets stuck and does not come out at all (blocking), such as “b……….all”
However it is important to remember that stuttering is more than these repetitions, prolongations and blocks. People who stutter often have a number of negative thoughts and feelings about talking such as embarrassment, anxiety, fear, and frustration. They might worry about how others will react or what they will think of them if they stutter.
WHY DO PEOPLE STUTTER?
Stuttering is complex. In term of what causes stuttering, we now know that it is neurological and differences have been found in areas of the brain involved in talking for those who stutter compared with those who do not stutter. It is also thought to be a genetic or hereditary condition. 60% of people who stutter also have a relative who stutter or used to stutter.
Stuttering typically starts in childhood. Most children who start to stutter will go on to speak fluently but 3% of adults will continue to stutter into adulthood.
WHY DO I STUTTER MORE WHEN I AM NERVOUS?
While individuals do vary, we know that when someone is feeling nervous they often tend to stutter more. You might be feeling nervous about stuttering in front of others or concerned about how your listener will react, or what they will think if they hear you stutter. These worries may lead you to tense your muscles, or may distract you from focusing on what you want to say. This can lead to more stuttering.
It is important to remember that while you may stutter more when you are feeling nervous, nervousness is not the cause of stuttering.
CAN STUTTERING BE CURED?
While there is no cure for stuttering, Speech and Language Therapy for stuttering can be effective in reducing the impact that stuttering is having on your day to day life. You can develop your confidence to communicate, learn strategies to make talking easier and to reduce the negative thoughts and feelings you have about your stuttering.
Stuttering does not have to hold you back.
Our UK based Private Stammering Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Stammering with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in StammerTherapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Stammer Therapy.