Events
A Person-Centred Focus on Engaging and Dealing with a Stammer

David Woodall is proposing a week long residential group for adults who stammer. (Note that BSA does not endorse this or any other particular course or approach.)

David writes:
I am a counsellor in private practice who stammered significantly until some fourteen years ago. At that time I embarked upon a counselling course at the University of Warwick where I experienced a process which was a clear and fulfilling engagement with me as a person. I firmly believe that my experiencing this kind of facilitative climate has enabled me to deal with my stammer.

I was able to explore this fundamental concept further in 2007 at the University of Nottingham and now wish to apply my research to practice. To this end I am offering up to sixteen residential places to anyone who stammers and who wishes to explore the concept with me for themselves, with the real possibility that it will have a beneficial effect.

Facilitators

The residential therapeutic environment that I am promoting will be facilitated by a total of four counsellors, all of whom subscribe to the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. All four counsellors have regular supervision, greater than the minimum requirement that satisfies their professional body. Three of those facilitators have qualifications to Masters Level from a range of Universities in the UK and all four have a strong commitment to the Person-Centred ethos. I believe this is key in effecting release, to a large degree, from the inhibiting factors in the environment that often lead to the development of any one person's stammer.

The four facilitators will be available throughout the five days for emotional and practical support. Two will be non-group participants and available privately throughout.

What the group will do

As a residential group we shall collectively share an opportunity to explore the experience of the stammerer; the environment of the origin of the stammer; and we shall facilitate freedom from the constraints that have become the containers, and the fuel, for the stammer to survive.

What I am offering is not only my experience but also the confirmed outcome of the research that I undertook in 2007. It is my belief that fundamental conditions need to be present, and if these conditions can be experienced by the participants then personal growth and development can take place. I hold that these conditions are both necessary and sufficient for self-development.

All the facilitators have more than ten years experience of group facilitation and, I believe we all bring a wealth of experience and a strong yet alternative approach to realising a significant release from stammering, where life, like my own, can be lived more freely. The experience will not have a speech therapy focus, although some sharing of experiences will, without doubt, be valuable and accepted if offered.

Cost and allocation of places

The residential programme will be over five days at a cost of £450. This cost covers all the expenses of food, lodgings, group time and support during the period. It does not cover any social expenses that may be chosen by the participants. As already indicated I cannot guarantee any specific outcome. I do however encourage the use of cancellation insurance, since expenses will immediately be incurred not least in the reservation of rooms and facilities in a retreat setting near Coventry.

The allocation of residential places will be determined following individual meetings and with the mutual acceptance and belief that we can work together.

Follow-up

The follow-up requirements of each participant will be addressed both during and towards the end of the residential and each person will be encouraged to consider their therapeutic needs. A range of referral options will be available. I am prepared to organise and facilitate similar residential group meetings if the participants wish that to happen.

Contact

I will be pleased to respond to any questions interested parties may have perhaps in the first instance by email to d.woodall@tesco.net