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From: Jaime Hannan
Date: 06 Oct 2010
Time: 06:16:37 -0500
Remote Name: 74.83.213.115
Hi, Jayme! Thanks for posting your questions - they are good ones! I'll give you some of my thoughts on your first question and let Scott take the next two, since they apply more to his specific story. First, I want to say congratulations on choosing an amazing career - being an SLP is wonderful. Also, it sounds like you made a huge impact in the life of the children and families you have already worked with - congratulations on that as well!! I, like you, was pretty ignorant about stuttering until I entered graduate school. I took a course, had some clients who stuttered, and also formed some close friendships with individuals who stuttered as well. I remember thinking...how did I not know anything about stuttering before? Especially with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders. I also remember beginning to work with my first client who stuttered and my clinical supervisor suggesting that I take a "counseling approach" with her. My first thoughts were..."is that in my scope of practice?" followed by "how do I do that?" I was really nervous, but soon came to realize that using some counseling strategies when working with all of your clients is an extremely helpful approach - it helps you to target the "whole child" (includig their families) and not just the disorder. We both know that for many individuals, their commuincation disorder is affecting most, if not all, aspects of their lives...in one way or another. Here are some thoughts on your first question. In terms of counseling ever becoming offensive, I suggest that you take some time to really get to know the client and family that you are working with. This may take a couple weeks of rapport building and a lot of activities that may not seem "therapuetic." However, building this rapport and trusting relationship at the beginning can make a world of difference down the line. Once you do, you can determine how much they are able to handle at a particular point. The whole process may take a long time...and you may take baby steps or steps backwards (however, progress does not go in only one direction)...it all depends on the client and family. Also, you may work with the client and family separately...or talk with them at different times. You may also be at one place with your client (depending on his/her age) and at a different place with the family. As your client works through his/her stuttering, he or she may be able to help educate the family too (a lot of children like to "teach" their families about stuttering). I believe that listening is the most important tool - both listening to what the client/family says and also what they do not say. Are their times when someone may become upset...yes, most likely. However, sometimes that can open a door for more commuincation and counseling. Once you build that rapport with the client and family though, that trust will enable you to talk about and work through more topics that you can imagine. It's definitely a journey...both for the client and family for you as a clinician. You may not always know the answer or do the "right" thing, but I believe that as long as your client and family know that you have their best interest in mind...you cannot go wrong. I hope this helps...feel free to ask any more/follow-up questions. Jaime.