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The Course
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Coaches
We are not licensed speech therapists. Because we approach this
as a sport we prefer to call ourselves coaches. Our
qualifications are having defeated/defeating our own stammer and
have a demonstrated desire to teach others.
Important too is
willingness to go out in the streets with new students, to help
them overcome their fear, and to spend long hours on the
telephone helping someone through a crisis. All coaches have
also attended a training weekend and passed an exam to become a
coach.
We have on average a ratio of one coach per four or five new
students. This rich coach-student ratio, plus the help from
other graduates, allows us to have an exceptionally good
follow-up support program, and is largely responsible for our
high success rate. |
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Speech Therapists
All licensed professionals are welcomed at no cost, to come onto
any course to observe, participate and learn. Many have offered
very good advice that has helped improve the Programme and have
referred their students to our programme.
Success Criteria
Although this still hasn't proven to be a permanent cure from
stammering the following characterizes a successful graduate:
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Although
sometimes experiencing and successfully recovering from periodic
relapses a successful graduate feels generally free from
stammering.
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Does not use
avoidance mechanisms. If one occurs with a surprise block, it is
immediately cancelled.
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Although
sometimes experiencing fear in some situations, remains
confident that he will not relapse into uncontrolled stammering.
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Is concerned
with becoming an eloquent speaker rather than controlling
stammering.
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Has experienced
a profound internal transformation.
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Does not have
to constantly work on the mechanics of speaking.
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Has fun in most
speaking situations.
Evaluations
To determine how successful our programme is in relation to the
above criteria, we have extensive ongoing internal evaluations.
These also serve to help us improve our programme. These
evaluations have proved that:
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We have
graduates that reach a strong avoidance-free fluency and a
feeling of freedom within a few days. Although sometimes
experiencing relapses from which they recover, this group
rapidly improves reaching the above success criteria within a
few weeks or months.
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While other
graduates take from 3-12 months to reach freedom after which
they rapidly meet the success criteria.
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Some graduates
never reach full freedom but find that the programme helped them
to a large extent.
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Then others
feel that the programme is not for them. The last two categories
are becoming smaller every time.
Intensive courses
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Recovery
begins with a four-day intensive course. Expect to work hard
from the time you wake until the time you sleep. Most of
this time, (including evenings) is spent in structured
sessions with coaches.
The first
two days and nights are spent drilling the technique and the
mentality you need for success. Most of the time will be one
to one with recovering stammerers who have been through at
least one intensive course. On the third day you will learn
the fundamentals of public speaking and testing your “tools”
in public. You will be amazed at how your confidence grows.
The last day is for reviewing and preparing you for some of
the complications of the real world including how to deal
with possible relapses.
Follow-up
The first intensive course is going to get you going on the road
to recovery and eloquent speaking. For some this will be a long
journey and you will need guidance from coaches and stronger
graduates. You will be advised to make regular phone calls to
your coach as well as attend at least one more intensive course
where you will also help to coach new students. Helping other
stammerers reach freedom is an important part of your own
recovery. |
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We are proud of our strong follow-up support, (including
coaches, refresher courses, phone coaches and support groups)
and feel this plays a big part in our success rate. It is up to
you to take advantage of what’s on offer.
Refresher Courses
You are entitled to unlimited intensive/refresher courses to get
a boost to the next level of fluency, and to polish things like
public speaking, positive thinking and assertiveness.
Accommodation
During the intensive course we ask that you stay with the group
in a hotel. Unless you request otherwise you will be in another
room with an older graduate who will assist in your recovery. We
will make the arrangements for you, but you are responsible to
pay for your hotel, transportation and meals. The courses are
usually held in the same hotel.
Foreign Travellers
For those travelling from abroad it would be advised that you
stay in the UK for a few weeks to attend at least two courses
and to take advantage of the Programme’s support. Or, to arrange
to come on a future course within four months of your first
course.
Membership Fees/Expenses
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The membership
fee is £700.00. This fee is due on the second day of your first
intensive course. If you decide on the first day that the
programme is not for you there is no charge.
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Follow up
courses (refreshers or subsequent intensive courses) are £20 per
day to a maximum of £60.00.
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The hotel fee
varies according to where the course is held, although on
average it’s between £35.00 - £50.00 for bed and breakfast, per
person, per night.
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We do offer
scholarships to people on a low income. Please ask for an
application form. We are limited to the number of scholarships
we can offer per course.
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