You have the right to be heard, and to stutter.
Does this sound like you?
"People just tell me to slow down or take a breath when I'm talking, but that's not helpful to me."
"I avoid speaking up because I'm afraid of how people will react."
"The people around me want to help, but their advice makes me feel worse."
"People talk over me all the time and I wish they would just listen to me."
Your voice is yours. You get to decide what you want from therapy.
How I work
Many people who stutter carry strong feelings about it. Many have been treated unkindly because of how they talk. Friends and family often try to help in ways that do not feel helpful to the stutterer.
I start by asking what you want. Some people want fluency strategies. Others want to stutter openly and feel confident doing it. Many want a mix. All of these are valid.
I teach fluency-enhancing strategies only if you want them. I also make space for the emotions that come with stuttering. I help you speak up for your own communication style, with friends, at school, at work, and with family.
What this can look like
Your goals first: we decide together what success means for you.
Strategies, if you want them: tools you can choose to use, or not.
Space for feelings: time to talk about past experiences and how they affect you now.
Self-advocacy: words and scripts to tell others what helps and what doesn't.
Support for the people around you: guidance for parents, caregivers, partners, teachers, or coworkers who want to listen well.
Who this is for
This page is for tweens, teens, and young adults who stutter, and for the families and partners who support them. Older adults are welcome if we are a good fit.
Where and how we meet
I come to you in the Kansas City metro. That can be your home, your community, or your school. I also offer online sessions if you live in Kansas or Missouri. Online sessions can be direct, or I can coach a parent, caregiver, or partner.
In Missouri, I am in network with MO HealthNet, Home State Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicare. In Kansas, I am in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare. I also offer private pay.
Common questions
Do I have to work on my stutter?
No. Therapy is your choice. Some people want strategies. Some want support and confidence. We decide together, and you can change your mind at any time.
How can I help my teen who stutters?
Listen without finishing their sentences, and avoid advice like "slow down" or "take a breath." These often make things harder. I can show you what helps, based on what your teen tells me they want.
Will you teach fluency strategies?
Yes, if you want them. I also support you if you choose not to use them.
Ready to talk?