Description: Research has demonstrated that through acceptance and commitment therapy persons who stutter can learn a range of skills that mitigate negative thoughts and feelings about stuttering and facilitate progress towards valued communication goals. A panel of adults who recently completed an Acceptance and Commitment Workshop will discuss how their participation led to the following meaningful outcomes: 1) reduced avoidance behaviors; 2) increased acceptance of self and stuttering; and 3) effective management of difficult thoughts and feelings through mindfulness skills. Participants will provide insight for clinicians and other persons who stutter who are considering employing this approach and will share how these outcomes helped them to move forward in their lives in ways that their thoughts, feelings about their stuttering previously prevented. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the adults about their experiences and recommendations. 

Bio: Courtney Byrd, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Vice President of Continuing Education for The Stuttering Foundation, Founding Director of the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, Principal Investigator of the Dr. Jennifer and Emanuel Bodner Developmental Stuttering Lab, and Professor, Associate Chair and Graduate Adviser Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Texas at Austin.