Overcoming Patient Resistances in Stuttering Therapy

Gary J. Rentschler and John Tetnowski

Patient resistances can present a significant obstacle to the efficacy of stuttering therapy and a confounding variable in evidence-based practice. Viewed as defense mechanisms, mapping resistances helps the clinician to understand the patient’s belief system and provides essential guideposts in designing an effective treatment program. Understanding the patient’s unconscious motivations enables the clinician to educate the client and help shape his or her attitudes and behaviors. This paper discusses resistances using case examples and proposes approaches toward minimizing or overcoming the impact of the patient’s defense mechanisms in stuttering therapy.