Hypnosis and speech therapy as a combined therapeutic approach to the problem of stammering. A study of thirty patients.

Abstract

SummaryA programme of therapy for stammerers is outlined in which speech therapy and hypnotherapy are combined.Two categories of patients are defined. Group I consists of stammerers whose presenting symptoms are mild and where the aetiological basis might appear to be a simple extension of normal non fluency. Group II stammerers comprise the larger group consisting of patients exhibiting all the stigmata of the classical stammering syndrome.Group I patients are treated by hypnotherapy alone.Treatment in the latter group involves extensive speech therapy and hypnotherapy. The speech therapy programme is designed to produce muscle control and coordination for all sounds of speech. Hypnosis is used to consolidate therapy at all stages and to promote fluency in all situations.This combined therapy in which both disciplines are complementary provides a unified approach to the understanding and treatment of the stammerer.