Front Row: Sarah Delpeche, Caroline Brinkert, Elaine Kelman, Ali Berquez  2nd Row: Chloe Robichaud, Emmanuel Addo, Alice Disarò, Ashley Fetzer, Christi Masters, Kiana Tanghatar, Jessica Beers, Erin Leventhal, Diletta Vedovelli, Vanina Mino, Silvia Iannicola  Back Row:  Stojan Skorka, Randy Panzarino, Rupert Johnson, Carolina Miranda, Alexander Benevento, Laura Schiaroli, Paul DeLisio, Carlos Brandeo, Jhoan Stiven Gallego Bermudez, Meredith Daly, Christine Blomkvist

This one week workshop, conducted by Elaine Kelman, Alison Berquez, and Sarah Delpeche from the Michael Palin Centre in London and Caroline Brinkert from Boston University, was held at Boston University in June 2025. Its  goal was to provide speech-language pathologists with an introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in relation to the assessment and treatment of stuttering. Therapists will also be equipped to deliver Palin PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy), an evidence based therapy programme for young children who stutter.

Comments from workshoppers included the following:

The course created a space for connection, reflection and growth. This week was an outstanding collaboration and outpouring of knowledge both from the highly esteemed presenters and my co- participants.

The style and format of the presentation was a unique blend that unearthed  the strengths of all the participants and fostered a collaborative learning environment.

So said some of the workshoppers at the end of our week in Boston this past June. Twenty two therapists came together from across the globe to learn and grow so that they would be better clinicians. They shared their lives - and their openness and ability to reflect on themselves and their practice made this experience a very special one. Their readiness to reconsider and to try out new and different styles and activities meant that they allowed themselves to grow new strengths.

The resources, examples, and words about how to deal with specific complex cases will forever change my life.

I gained a new perspective and positive outlook on how to engage with and promote change in the lives of people who stutter.

The workshop started with an introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, then the focus was on Solution Focus Brief Therapy, followed by Palin Parent Child Interaction Therapy. Principles were discussed and underlying rationales explored, skills were practised, supported by clinical video examples, so that everyone would be equipped with new styles and skills and most importantly understand the difference that these would make to their clinical practice.

The application of the skills learned was practical and practised in a way that increased my confidence.

This course allowed me to understand deeply the parents’ perspective and to be aware of how every word that we say as clinicians can impact our clients’ lives and experiences with stuttering.

While the focus of the workshop was on stuttering I also feel that much of this information is transferable.

I learned critical thinking skills and how to make clinical decisions in light of these therapy practices.

A workshop for a relatively small group who effectively live together in dorms for the week is a unique opportunity to deep dive into what it is to be a therapist, how we can empower those who seek our help, how we can continue to grow in our knowledge and our skills and how we can support each other in the exciting quest to be the best we can be.

From the Fall 2025 Magazine [1]