Weekend Wrap-up: Bridging a Gap
I was 21 years old and on academic probation at University of California, Santa Barbara. I went to the school psychologist and after the third one hour session. I came out as a PWS. She referred me to school speech clinic. For the next 1 1/2 years two times week for one hour session (I was very lucky it was free). I disclosed negative self image, relationship and communication issues with peers and family and lack of goals due to anxiety and stress.
I am 61 years old and my
Hand sight says to me that the master level students were not trained to deal with my negative self image. However, I was ready to give up my stutter.
Today, I feel that a person who stutters seeks SLP’s due to his or her primary focus stuttering. However, there are other issues that a mental health professionals are trained in areas of: post traumatic stress, co occurring substance abuse, anxiety and depression that can assist a PWS. Mental health professionals can provide problem solving and therapy treatment intervention for dealing with concerns PWS may have.
Michael Sugarman
Michael,
What an important memory with present day importance. I had the good fortune of having a wonderful SLP in my 5th grade year. There was such a difference in how I presented at home. My parents notice and in 7th grade I began private sessions with the SLP. The bonus was that she gave my parents a cut rate and came to my home. This continued for six years. It was a beautiful experience with great support and a place to build my self worth.
Yet I still lived with an extremely strong negative self image. Eventually I worked with a psychotherapist. I was able to understand the impact of growing up with a negative experience of stuttering. Together we slowly unraveled the negative thoughts and feelings. It’s been a positive experience ever since.
Thanks, Michael, for sharing your personal story here. I also appreciate that you have tied in the ways that mental health professionals can help people who stutter with the myriad issues that the experiences of stuttering bring on.
Jeff