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From: Tim
Date: 10/21/03
Time: 6:53:38 AM
Remote Name: 65.81.139.187
Important questions. You want to differentially diagnose whether the eye closing is an escape behavior- as you say "busting through the blocks." Or, aversion.
Once you have a rapport and trust, ask "how do you know when to close your eyes?" You might get a smile and a "huh?" Say "during some stutters you close your eyes. What is the purpose of it.?"
If it is an escape behavior, do a contrast exercise: Have him make a fist, create and release a voluntary stutter, and keep eye contact. Then ask: "did you need to close your eyes to fix a stutter?" No. "what if you didn't close your eyes?"
Guide him to make his own decision to abandon it.
He is old enough to bust through this. I have helped many in his age group following this coaching.
Cheers, Tim