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From: Jill Douglass
Date: 11 Oct 2012
Time: 16:59:37 -0500
Remote Name: 130.123.104.22
Hi Victoria, That’s great you are expanding your knowledge on covert stuttering! Your future clients who are on their own isolated journey (all different types of diagnosis) will reap the benefits. Yes, technically, you are the person in authority with book and experience knowledge AND they are the person in authority of their lived experience. It is up to you to model active listening; this requires you to maintain a non-judgemental thought process, open minded, compassionate, sincere, open minded and so much more. They will understand that the information will not be used against them when you show your appreciation for their honesty. We are not meant to have all the answers nor are we here to pass judgement; we are here to help them on this discovery process. Know how to respond without judgement. I highly recommend reading more about counselling skills within our profession. Investigate the works of David Luterman, he provides us with a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. –Jill (j.douglass@massey.ac.nz)