More than 6,500 people who stutter from 50 countries have come to the Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI – www.stuttering.org ) in Roanoke, Virginia for fluency-skill training. Founded by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., HCRI is recognized globally for its stuttering therapy innovations and treatment results.

The institute offers stuttering therapy programs throughout the year, each of which lasts 12 days. By the end of HCRI’s intensive treatment, research shows that 93 percent of program participants acquire the skills to speak fluently. Participants also benefit from an extensive array of post-therapy support tools to help them maintain fluent speech for a lifetime. HCRI’s follow-up studies show that 70 to 75 percent of individuals maintain their fluency skills for the long term.

Following are comments program participants have shared about their experience with HCRI stuttering treatment.

Yes, I did participate in a bunch of other therapies. Some of them helped a little for a little while. What I learned at HCRI has stuck with me. I have been out of their program for eight years and I know how to speak fluently.

Now I have real freedom of speech!

I first called HCRI to find out about their program, and I stuttered badly during the call; today I called to thank them, and I spoke fluently.

Now I have real freedom of speech!

I wish I had done this years ago. The clinicians were outstanding!!!

You know, I tried other therapies. Some of the people told me that they “did the same thing as they do at Hollins.” I finally woke up and decided to try Hollins and I found out that those other people didn’t know what they were talking about. What I have learned at Hollins has been a daily blessing in my life.

Ain’t nothin better — you can take it to the bank!

I joined Toastmasters and won a regional speaking event.

I was good at learning languages. However, I stuttered badly, so badly in fact, that I actually broke my teeth during several different bouts of stuttering. I became a corporate trouble shooter after learning how to speak fluently at HCRI.

I got the job I wanted. Now I can talk and express my self easily.

I defended my doctoral dissertation and was fluent even though I WAS NERVOUS.

No more fear of speaking in front of people.

When I got back home I took my parents to dinner–and I ordered for them! What a huge difference!

I had world class experts guide me to fluency. They are my mentors and my friends.

I’m eleven years old. When I was a small child I hated to go to school. I cried almost everyday before I went. The other kids teased me a lot because I stuttered. I went to Hollins and learned how to speak really well. Today I am going to school and I am going to read a story to my class.

After Hollins, I became involved in politics and successfully ran for office as a state legislator. Of course, my fluent speech made it all possible.

More About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute was founded by Ronald L. Webster in 1972 to investigate stuttering through scientific discovery and treatment innovation. Under Dr. Webster’s direction, Roanoke, Virginia-based HCRI, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, has become an international leader in stuttering research and the development of innovative, scientifically based therapy approaches.

HCRI clinicians have treated more than 6,300 people, aged 10 to 73, from across the U.S. and 49 other countries. Clients come from all walks of life and include athletes, broadcasters, teachers, engineers, students, doctors, authors, military personnel, business professionals, police officers, actors, a Supreme Court nominee, and others.

For more information, visit www.stuttering.org or contact HCRI at 540-265-5650.