Medical Center Offers Therapy Sessions for Adult Stutterers

To help adults who stutter, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is seeking individuals to take part in a new series of weekly group therapy sessions, hospital officials announced.

Karen Mandel, supervisor of the center’s speech pathology department, said the new program will address the problem of adult stuttering.

“It’s an idea I had for about a year and I’m very excited about getting it started,” said Mandel, who will serve as the group’s facilitator.

“Stuttering has always been an interest of mine and given the fact that nothing has really been offered for the adult stutterer, I had this idea to put together a working group.”

The main focus of the sessions will be finding successful strategies for effective and fluent speech through physical practice and support from group members, Mandel said.

She added that her ultimate goal will be to assist participants in feeling more comfortable in their present communication skills on a daily basis.

“We’re looking at the sessions as instructive, not only from the therapist’s end, but also from members sharing their experiences with other members,” Mandel said.

The initial sessions will require a six- to eight-week commitment from prospective group members, she said. Sessions will be held once a week at the center.

Specific times and days will be determined, she added.

Those interested in taking part in the group can call the center for more information at (818) 365-8051, Ext. 1831. The center is at 15013 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills.