CST Spotlight: Group Therapy from Matthew’s Viewpoint

CST Adult Client Reflects on Stuttering Journey, Group Therapy Experience 

By Matthew Edwards, CST Adult Group Therapy Client

I believe everyone’s stuttering journey is unique–just as each person’s physical stutter, lived experiences and evolving goals associated with stuttering are unique.

I found myself seeking stuttering resources beyond my individual speech therapy during high school. My older sister, who stutters like me, has played a huge role in me finding support within the stuttering community. Together, we were colleagues at Camp SAY (Stuttering Association for the Young) and became involved with our local NSA (National Stuttering Association) chapters.

Now living in Boston and an Adult Group Therapy client at the CST (Center for Stuttering Therapy), I appreciate that the CST brings together people of different ages, professions, cultures and backgrounds. I am especially excited that this current fall 2024 semester — my third as a client — has seen a noticeable increase in clients from the spring of 2024.

“I strongly believe it is equally important for people to be effective speakers as they are effective listeners” – CST adult client Matthew Edwards

Attending the adult group has benefited me in a handful of key ways. For starters, the group has enabled me to create meaningful connections with my peer group members. 

With every group meeting or interaction, I enjoy listening to and sharing my thoughts about stuttering. Whether from an insight shared during the group or a weekly phone call, I never fail to find something I have in common with a group member.

Eric and I both enjoy watching movies and reading books. Nick and I both work in communications. Chris and I have both separately gone snowboarding with our close friends, who left us (novices) atop a mountain to trek down ourselves. Olivia, from the United Kingdom and I, from New Jersey, both love the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego.

I’ve also learned many other group members, like me, wish stuttering was not invisible — or that people might naturally be more patient when someone does stutter to them.

At the same time, I am often introduced to a new viewpoint or fluency technique.

Often, these come from the graduate student clinicians who leave an enduring mark on the stuttering community through their steadfast support of clients’ goals.

Voluntary stuttering, covert vs. overt stuttering and light contact were new topics when I first heard them during discussions at group. Overall, the group helps me learn more about many facets of stuttering.

Growing up, I always believed stuttering is just one part of someone — that someone’s fluency is one aspect of them.

Stuttering affects a person’s emotions, relationships, career, etc. – myself included. I strongly believe communication works two ways, and it is equally important for people to be effective speakers as they are effective listeners. To me, effective communication does not require perfect fluency.

Communication and human-to-human connection take many forms: verbal communication, body language, listening, eye contact, writing and many more.

Within the CST’s walls, I know I am accepted for who I am regardless of my fluency. I appreciate that the CST group provides an inclusive, pleasant space for all people to be their authentic selves.

By the same token, I am grateful that the CST adult group offers a client-driven, holistic approach to stuttering therapy.

CST clients hold ownership of their journey, free to focus on fluency-shaping techniques, stuttering modification strategies or a combination of both. The CST’s techniques support clients’ individual goals, such as incorporating a daily moment of mindfulness, decreasing avoidance habits. The CST also supports both short- and long-term targets for clients, such as stuttering more openly in the workplace or a client proactively disclosing their stutter in professional conversations.

CST clients hold ownership of their journey, free to focus on fluency-shaping techniques, stuttering modification strategies or a combination of both. 

Each route supports clients’ individual goals, such as incorporating a daily moment of mindfulness, voluntarily stuttering, and stuttering more openly in the workplace. Client-clinician check-ins also support medium- and long-term client targets, such as the client disclosing their stuttering before an upcoming work meeting or decreasing avoidance behaviors over a period of time set by the client.

Moreover, there is much to be said about being part of a SLP student’s learning. Each semester, I have been fortunate to share my perspective on stuttering, discuss how my week is going, create a goal for myself and receive thoughtful questions from the supportive graduate student clinicians.

When a room of PWS comes together, a powerful and unwavering sense of community occurs. We may not all experience the same emotions or block over the exact same consonants, but we will definitely make sure we provide one another our undivided attention. We got each other.

If anyone reading this is considering attending the adult CST group for the first time, I highly recommend stopping by. 

Sargent College. Room 220. Tuesdays during BU’s Fall and Spring semesters, 6–8 pm. 

You’ll find a growing group of wonderful people—happy to get to know you for exactly who you are.