[ Contents | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Gunars
Date: 10/2/03
Time: 2:08:03 AM
Remote Name: 12.211.116.92
Dear John,
Welcome! I am happy that another psychologist is investigating the problem of stuttering using psychological approaches. Although I only have my MA in psychology and am as yet only in my second year of Psychology Doctorate program, I have been investigating the relationship between central nervous system, neuropsychology, cognitive behavioral psychology (CBT), and especially Rational Emotive Behavior Psychology (REBT) for a few years.
Being in the university now when we have every day new developments in brain scans (for example fMRI), brain mapping, and new techniques in both REBT and CBT is very exciting.
Today I finished my first treatment plan for stuttering. Let me describe it in a few sentences:
In the first stage of therapy the important goals are: a) to reduce any tension and struggle in the speech at the expense of even being fluent (e.g. easy repetitions are much more desirable than tense blocks); b) to reduce speech related anxiety, and c) to reduce speech related urgency.
The treatment included: 1) Filling out two REBT Self-Help forms daily in speaking situations; 2) Daily half-hour listening to Albert Ellis tape “How to control your anxiety before it controls you; 3) Reading 10 pages of the book “A guide to rational living” (3rd ed.) by Albert Ellis and Robert Harper; 4) Using low vibrant voice; 5) When alone talking to oneself to build up fluency base (an old Wendell Johnson trick); 6) For six weeks in ten situations trying the true and tried desensitization and skill building exercises (week 1 - voluntary repetitions; week 2 - cancellations; week 3 - elongations of blocks; week 4 - changing the blocks in any which one way possible; week 5 - elongating the vowels; and week 6 - easy onsets. These exercises are done while monitoring the self-talk and disputing any irrational ideas such as “It is too hard to do this. I can’t be bothered. Etc.” Also clearly establishing that the client can unconditionally accept himself no matter how badly he stutters. 7) Reading one article on the ISAD6 and responding to it.
The methods that I am using are based on REBT. Same as in CBT, REBT espouses the understanding that our emotions such as anxiety and urgency cannot be sustained without dysfunctional core beliefs or irrational beliefs.
To rewire the brain, a hefty dose of REBT or CBT is necessary together with the desensitization (using voluntary pseudo stuttering, etc.).
Have you ever used these modalities (REBT or CBT) with your clients? What were the results?
The last research on REBT (then called RET) I found was a dissertation Moleski, Richard Lewis called “A comparative study of Rational-Emotive Therapy and Systematic Desensitization in the Treatment of Stuttering” where he found that RET (even at its early stages of development) WAS SUPERIOR to desensitization.
Gunars Neiders, Ph.D. Electrical Engineering MA Psychology, Psychology Doctorate Student