Summary of a telephone self-help group conference call in which Dave McGuire was guest speaker - December 2004.

Personal history

Dave blocked severely when young. He later learned non-avoidance from Joseph Sheehan and pursued a career in adolescent psychology. He then learned costal breathing, thinking he was cured, but had a serious relapse. Realising he'd been caught in the 'cycle of anxiety' Dave applied Sheehan's approach and also worked at the costal breathing day and night.

How did the McGuire Programme start?

It was launched in 1994 using costal breathing and other techniques to correct the physical problems, and non-avoidance concepts to deal with and reduce the fear and panic. Dave included sport psychology, the holistic approach of John Harrison and a good support program during and after the four-day course.

What is costal breathing?

It is a type of diaphragmatic breathing by expanding the thorax - the space enclosed by the ribs which leads to the inflation of the lungs by conducting air into them If your ribs go up and out then you are using costal breathing.

If a person is using costal breathing correctly, is this a cure for stammering?

Dave: Not a guaranteed answer for stammering, and not a cure. This technique feels like a very big improvement. It's like any sport: you have to drill the technique, learn to accept yourself as a recovering stammerer and challenge yourself. But sometimes emotions and confusions get in the way. Being mentally tough is very important.

Joseph Sheehan believed voluntary stammering was enough to overcome the fear - costal breathing is a departure from this.

Dave: Yes it is - we take our approach to the next level. The Del Ferro institute where I did a course only teach costal breathing. It's just where we disagree. You need the voluntary stammering to accept yourself during the recovery process - to bring the fear down to a manageable place. You have to accept yourself. Costal breathing simply speeds it up.

Is costal breathing no more than a clever trick?

Dave: Is any technique a trick? When I don't use the costal speaking I have a problem with my speech. But given an honest try, this will help. We're not saying this is a cure - it is a process to get better steadily. Some people are just not ready for this. In the follow-up reviews after each course around 30% say the program does not work for them.

When there is a failure, can you blame the person?

Dave: If attendees have a work ethic, courage, are willing to follow directions and take up the support offered - then they will be successful. Some people do not take it seriously enough to know how much work they need to put in to make the difference. They may not think the benefit is worth the effort. But they can always come back. Some people may not value fluent or eloquent speech that highly.

Comment from the Programme's Iain Mutch:

The problem is the word fluency. I think on the Programme you get control over the physical struggle part of your stammer. You can then work on avoidance behaviour. Fluency is not the issue here - but rather getting control over your stammer by using the technique. We emphasise being dysfluent but always being in control.

Why is there not more emphasis on the holistic approach? The media see it as a breathing course.

Dave: Maybe we are not being clear on the website, or communicating correctly - the program does have a large element of focus on physical, mental and emotional areas.

If people are thinking about going on the McGuire course, what should they do before making their decision?

Dave: Go to the website. Read up about the program. Call a regional director and ask to speak to the graduates. Always get a second opinion. Also, look at how much you really want to improve. The course demands a lot of commitment. Do you have the commitment to get through some tough challenges?

Further information: see our Costal breathing page.

From the Spring 2005 edition of Speaking Out

See also:
Adult therapy and courses
Telephone self-help groups