Answers to questions and concerns

What is recovery coaching for a stuttering relapse?

Recovery coaching for stuttering relapse helps you get back to the level of fluency you achieved during speech therapy treatment or program. It's very common for a stuttering relapse to happen either fairly quickly within weeks or progress slowly over months. No matter how much time has passed, it's never too late to get back on track to your fluency goals. Coaching is a collaborative partnership with you, guiding and supporting you through the personalized recovery process.

How is this type of coaching different from speech therapy?

The main focus of speech therapy is mastering the physical mechanisms of speech production through fluency-shaping tools and techniques. The skills learned and the time spent in speech therapy is not wasted, as it lays the foundation for coaching. If you're disappointed that all of your hard work in speech therapy has not carried into everyday life, there are unique triggers or factors at play.

The focus of coaching is helping you identify and overcome these triggers that are preventing you from the positive speaking moments you desire. Coaching provides you with practical skills and strategies to help you move forward in a solution-focused and action-oriented manner. Like a top-performing athlete, one-on-one coaching gives you the support, guidance, and encouragement you need to help you achieve your fluency goals. 

Are coaching sessions confidential?

Yes, absolutely. Confidentiality is a top priority. Your privacy is respected and maintained at all times. I adhere to the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the ICF (International Coaching Federation).

What can I expect in a coaching session?

Each session will begin by establishing a specific topic, such as a current speaking situation, and setting the goal you would like to achieve. Our time in the session will focus on this speaking situation, one where you find yourself stuttering more or experiencing frustrating fluctuations of fluency. Coaching will feel like a normal conversation going back and forth, in a safe and non-judgmental space. You're empowered to envision what's the ideal outcome or positive speaking experience you'd like to have so we can work towards getting you there.

What kind of issues can be discussed during a coaching session?

In a coaching session, topics and specific speaking situations are ones that matter the most to you. This could be speaking situations at work, having conversations with authority figures, anxiety around using the phone — you name it, anything goes! Topics are varied, but for many who have experienced a relapse, there tends to be consistent themes around low self-esteem, negative self-talk and lack of confidence. It takes many shifts, including mindset, to go from 'stop stuttering' to 'maintaining fluency'. You have circumstances unique to you and I'll work with you to find solutions and create action plans, going at a pace that is sustainable for you.

What kind of outcomes or recovery can I expect from coaching?

Recovery from stuttering relapse will look different for each person, as individual goals vary from person to person. First and foremost, you gain the awareness to identify and understand the unique factors to you that triggered the relapse. The second outcome is filling in the gaps of what is truly needed for you to maintain fluency in the long run — whether that's more knowledge, specific skills, or upgrading limiting thoughts and beliefs. Once you have greater self-awareness, then you can use this insight on your journey of recovery or prevention from relapse.

Will coaching after a stuttering relapse work for me?

With commitment, discipline and focused effort, almost anything is possible to achieve. At all times you're in the driver seat and responsible for your own results and outcomes. Changing deeply-ingrained behaviours take conscious effort over time — so for this reason, long-lasting change will not happen immediately. For sustainable results, it takes time to practice and integrate new thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours. It's not always easy, but it's 100% possible, when you recommit to yourself and the process. With guided support along every step of the way, you're set up for success than going it alone.

What if I have more questions?

No problem at all! I’m here to answer all of your questions. I look forward to your email, please send here: paige@thehappystutterer.com