Giving instructions, feedback and cueing are critical teaching tools in any therapeutic interaction. These are the primary vehicles used to shape behavior and should be used liberally through treatment sessions.

Most beginning clinicians are reluctant to interrupt the client when he or she is speaking; the usual concern is that it's impolite. This is business and it is now part of your job as the clinician to guide the client. Most clients are relieved to be given permission to stop in the midst of their stuttering, given some instruction, and begin again. It helps the client improve as quickly as they are able to.

Be "tough" on your client; require responses that are really good. Use the criteria you have established to successfully accomplish each task. Your therapy will be better and your client will progress more rapidly as a result. "Shaping" your client's responses by providing consistent feedback is a vital part of their learning process. If the client isn't demonstrating a proper response, correcting him or her (guiding them) is an important channel for change. Be stringent, be fair, be consistent... you're client will respect you for it.

As you become more familiar with your client, you will develop a sense of when to push them harder and when to back off with your feedback. Ideally, you'll go up to the "line" but won't cross it.

After each activity, critique your client's performance. Balance your evaluation by providing positive and constructive criticisms. A pattern of providing positive, constructive, and finally positive feedback can put an upbeat spin on your critique. While it's always nice to here complements, real growth comes out of constructive suggestions. Don't fall into the trap of only providing complements; your client will see right through that and you'll loose credibility.

Suggestions for Providing Honest Feedback

© Rentschler, 2001