Group Therapy

Adult Group Therapy

For more than 20 years, the Center has offered group therapy sessions during the fall and spring academic semesters. Meetings are held on campus at the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College) located at 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston on Tuesday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m. in room 220.  Participants range in age, but must be at least college freshmen.

Consistent with the Center’s goal to support confident communication and reduce struggle as an individual who stutters, adult group meetings emphasize strategies that include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness meditation, and integrated use of Fluency Shaping and Stuttering Modification techniques. Through supportive partnerships with graduate student clinicians and fellow group members, clients develop individual goals within the context of group therapy.

The Center always welcomes new group therapy clients!

Format

Each adult group therapy meeting includes two parts: 1) one full group meeting for approximately the first hour with all clients and clinicians followed by 2) one smaller group meeting with clinicians and clients focusing on individual client goals and reflections.

Both groups offer clients and clinicians opportunities to explore a new theme related to stuttering, discuss goals, evaluate progress, reflect on knowledge gained in previous weeks and discuss any additional topics of clients’ choosing. 

CST Director and Boston University clinical faculty member Caroline Brinkert has been working with people who stutter for over ten years. As director, she enjoys supervising adult group therapy meetings and mentoring young clinicians. She helps to support clients’ experiences in the group therapy setting and guides graduate student clinicians’ training with adults who stutter.

“The Tuesday night groups are the highlight of my week. It is a pleasure and privilege to facilitate the connection and community, meet new members, and see people progress towards their goals. ” – Caroline Brinkert, CST Director

Phone Calls

Adult group clients participate in phone calls between sessions. These pairings offer clients opportunities to discuss goals, personal experiences with stuttering, reflect on topics discussed in group, bounce ideas off of each other, seek advice, and any topics they wish to discuss as clients develop and maintain relationships with peers who stutter.

“It’s a big help when you can form these bonds with the other people in the group. It’s a very good feeling when you can talk to someone that understands and can give you their insight and their opinion.” – Chris, CST client

Teen Group Therapy

The CST is piloting a new teen program! In partnership with the National Stuttering Association Boston Chapter, we’re offering alternating CST-run group therapy sessions and NSA-run social meetups for the Fall 2024 semester. There will be 6 sessions on Thursdays from 4:30-6 PM at Boston University (635 Commonwealth Ave), alternating between CST director Caroline Brinkert and NSA Boston Chapter lead Sarah Onofri. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.
Dates for the 6 sessions this semester are:
  • 9/19 CST Group Speech Therapy
  • 10/3 NSA Meet Up
  • 10/17 CST Group Speech Therapy
  • 11/7 NSA Meet Up
  • 11/21 CST Group Speech Therapy
  • 12/5 NSA Meet Up
Fees: There are no fees for participation; donations are welcome (payable to Boston University).
Registration: If you are interested in attending, please email knerlino@bu.edu