Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to help people with speech or
language disorders learn to improve their communication abilities and increase
their ability to function in their daily lives. Many times, however, people with
communication disorders also experience negative affective or cognitive reactions
to their speaking difficulties. These reactions can not only have a significant
impact on a speaker's emotional well-being; they can also impede a client's progress
in therapy. Therefore, if SLPs wish to help their clients achieve their greatest
possible success in therapy, they may need to help them address these negative
reactions. The purpose of this presentation is to provide clinicians of an overview
of specific counseling techniques they can use in therapy with a variety of clients
to help them overcome the broader challenges associated with their communication
difficulties. Following this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of using counseling strategies for helping people
with communication disorders
- Describe the process of coping that people with
communication disorders may experience as they learn to live with their
speaking difficulties
- Apply a model of the counseling process focused on helping
clients identify their current situation, evaluate their preferred situation,
select appropriate
options for change, and develop an action plan to help their achieve
their goals.
- Utilize 3 key counseling strategies designed to help people with
communication disorders come to terms with their speaking difficulties
and improve
the outcome of treatment
J. Scott Yaruss, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, is an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh and Co-director of the Stuttering Center of Western Pennsylvania. Yaruss conducts research on the onset and development of stuttering in preschool children, including analysis of linguistic and motoric source factors that contribute to children's production of speech disruptions. Yaruss's research also focuses on the evaluation of treatment outcomes for children, adolescents, and adults who stutter, particularly for those treatment approaches that involve counseling to help clients overcome their negative affective and cognitive reactions to their speaking difficulties. Yaruss teaches classes on stuttering and counseling methods for speech-language pathologists and conducts workshops designed to help clinicians feel more confident in their ability to work with individuals with communication disorders. Yaruss has published more than 70 papers on stuttering and counseling in journals, books, and newsletters, and presented approximately 200 workshops and lectures at local, national, and international meetings.
