In 1969, after trying several
forms of therapy, I had a chance to defeat my severe stammer
with the help of Dr. Joe Sheehan.
At the time he was a psychology professor at UCLA and
considered to be one of the very best stammering therapists in
the world. His program was based on active non-avoidance and
acceptance of oneself as a stutterer. Although my speech had
improved and I was able to develop a career in adolescent
psychology, my lack of discipline and downright laziness
resulted in many severe relapses that devastated my personal
and professional life. In critical moments when I really
needed to speak well, the words would not come.
In November 1993,
after 24 more wasted years, I was given another chance in a
diaphragm
training program developed by a famous opera singer in
Amsterdam. I found that the diaphragm training resulted in a
strong, immediate fluency but would not hold up over time. By
applying Dr. Sheehan’s concepts, however, I found I was able
to recover from relapses. Although I am not yet “permanently”
cured, I am totally fluent 99.9% of the time.
I figured the
combination of diaphragm training and
non-avoidance/role-conflict resolution would be a powerful
combination to help many others overcome the affliction of
stammering. In February 1994, the McGuire Program became a
reality. In 1995 the program evolved from “my” to “ours” as
more graduates have become coaches organizing courses and
providing critical follow-up support throughout the United
Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Norway and Australia.
Dave McGuire
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