[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Judy Kuster
Date: 24 Oct 2005
Time: 11:36:08 -0500
Remote Name: 134.29.31.113
I hear what you are saying, Jerry, but not sure I agree. Self-help groups (which are what were polled for this paper) are not the same as Therapy Groups, led by a speech-language pathologist, although I believe self-help groups can be very “therapeutic.” As an SLP who helps facilitate a self-help group, if someone in our group had made that comment, I’d suggest that he enroll in treatment – either group or individual – with an SLP. The self-help group has the right and responsibility to formulate its own goals for the group. Right now our group has chosen to discuss the SFA book, “Advice for Those Who Stutter,” respond to questions raised by the two SLP students who attend (different students each month - they learn a LOT at these meetings), and explore and practice the concepts in “Speaking Circles.” We also share resources, talk about triumphs and brainstorm solutions. A 2-hour meeting, once a month, is not the same as “therapy” and what your member wanted would not be accomplished in such a support group meeting and may not meet the needs of the rest of the group.