You may have the best technique in the world to help control your stutter, but unless you believe it can work for you, it may all be for naught.
Many people who stutter find a good to excellent level of fluency towards the end of their chosen stuttering treatment program, and also during subsequent practice/maintenance sessions with other recovering stutterers. The supportive atmosphere provided during fluency training and maintenance sessions suggests to your mind that it is a safe place. Everyone is there for the same reason. We all know that our new technique works, we are with other people with the same problem, there is no risk to us, and our mind suggests that it is safe to practice this wonderful new technique. This is all great and motivating in the moment. Everyone tends to pat themselves on the back. The real test is away from the training environment after your treatment program or maintenance session. Will you choose to use the flow technique in situations where you don’t feel safe, where you’re not around people who also use this special technique, with people you haven’t met before?
Often the answer to this is NO. Alarm bells can ring the moment you step into what I call THE REAL WORLD.
It is important to recognize that this response is okay, it is normal. Often, exposure to the REAL WORLD causes all the emotional debris and negative thoughts regarding your stutter to come back when it is your turn to speak. This can be a barrier to controlling your stutter.
When you are considering a treatment for your stuttering, plan for a psychological change. The change in yourself may not be immediate, but rest assured, the changes need to happen for you to become fluent and use good technique. A change in the way you think and the way you perceive yourself is vitally important. The desire and willingness to make these adjustments will strengthen your psychological foundation so that you can achieve fluency.
Training and cognitive support are of great importance when you are trying to change something about yourself. Your negative thoughts about your stutter/yourself are not necessarily true. Seek good training and cognitive support so your fluency isn’t limited to just behind closed doors. Cognitive training with increased self-confidence will extend your wonderful new fluidity to all areas of your life.
Join me on the path to fluency.