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From: Ellen-Marie Silverman
Date: 10/6/03
Time: 10:32:59 PM
Remote Name: 172.163.34.222
Mat,
What a delicious question! In this respect, we are pioneers together. First, I need to say we can find much that is helpful in so-called traditional approaches, but what they often fail to emphasize is the importance of the relationship between the clinician and client. As almost all seasoned therapists know as do many "newbies," the clinical relationship is the vehicle that facilitates the changes the client needs to work to achieve. So, read, read, read books on counseling and psychotherpay that give consideration to parameters of the clinical relationship, including motivation, communication styles, transference, countertransference, etc, that conscientious therapists need to address. I think the field of Transactional Analysis has a lot to offer because it is a communication based theory of personality and method of psychotherapy that focuses on facilitating change as opposed to developing "insight."
Some alternative treatments that might be helpful, depending on client need, could be nutritional therapy for those with undiagnosed food allergies and/or vitamin and mineral deficiences; light therapy for those who have a seasonal affective disorder; body work for those who have stored painful experiences in their soft body tissues; hatha yoga for increased body awareness and the ability to relax; meditation training to calm the mind; etc., etc. Again, read, read, read and also personally experience what you think might be helpful so that you acquire not just book knowledge but experience.
There is no one source of information, but there are many. I'm sure, over time, you will discover methods in addition to traditional speech therapy that will be suitable recommendations to make to your clients. When we change going about the way we speak, we change who we are. And when we change who we are, we change how we speak.
Thank you for this question, and all best wishes.
Sincerely,
Ellen-Marie Silverman