Speaking with more ease is possible.
Whether stuttering began in childhood or developed later, speech therapy can help you speak with more ease and feel less held back.
Who We Help
Stuttering can start at any age
Adults who stutter are a diverse group. Therapy goals, approaches, and timelines vary depending on when stuttering began and what factors play a role.
Developmental stuttering
Stuttering that began in early childhood and has continued into adulthood. Many people have lived with it for decades, adapted around it, and tried strategies that did not stick. Therapy focuses on building fluency skills, reducing avoidance behaviours, and gaining confidence in everyday situations.
Neurogenic stuttering
Stuttering that develops after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, or another neurological event. Assessment looks at both the speech pattern and the underlying neurological picture, and the therapy approach is tailored accordingly.
Psychogenic stuttering
A sudden change in fluency linked to psychological stress or trauma. This type is less common but responds well to therapy that addresses both the speech pattern and the contributing factors.
Arbutus Speech Therapy also works with children and teens who stutter.
Our Philosophy
Therapy built around what matters to you
For many adults, stuttering is not just a speech pattern. It shapes which words you choose, whether you speak up, and which situations feel worth the attempt.
Therapy starts by understanding what stuttering is affecting in your life, what you have already tried, and what you are hoping to change. Goals look different for each person: building fluency, speaking more confidently in specific situations, or stuttering more openly with less tension and avoidance. Your SLP works toward the goals that fit your life.
Every session led by a registered SLP
Sessions at home, at work, or in your community
Online therapy available across all of BC
Free phone consultation, no referral needed
Getting Started
What to expect
Free phone consultation
We start with a brief call to understand what is going on and answer any questions. No commitment or cost, just an initial conversation about where you are and whether therapy is likely to help.
Assessment and planning
Your SLP conducts a thorough assessment of your fluency, speech patterns, and the situations where stuttering has the most impact. Together you build a plan that reflects your goals.
Therapy at your pace
Sessions are shaped around your goals and happen where it works best. In person across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, or online anywhere in BC. Frequency and pace are set with your schedule in mind.
Many extended health benefit plans in BC cover SLP services. See the Arbutus Funding Guide.
A client’s experience
Jordan came to Arbutus Speech Therapy in his late 30s, after years of managing around his stutter. Rehearsing sentences. Choosing words that felt safer. Stepping back from situations that felt too high-risk. He had tried other approaches before and was not sure therapy would help. Over several months, he and his SLP worked on fluency strategies and on the avoidance patterns that had built up over time. “I still stutter,” he says. “But I no longer feel like it is in charge.”
Adult client, Vancouver (details changed to protect privacy)
Common questions
Is speech therapy actually effective for adults who stutter?
Yes. Adults can and do make meaningful progress in therapy. The goals and timelines look different from childhood therapy, and outcomes vary by person, but research consistently supports evidence-based fluency and stuttering modification approaches for adults. A consultation with an SLP is the best way to get a realistic picture of what is possible for your specific situation.
Is the goal of therapy to become completely fluent?
Not necessarily. For many adults, the goal is not complete fluency but greater ease. That might mean reducing tension and struggle, speaking more confidently in situations that have felt off-limits, or stuttering openly instead of hiding it. Your SLP will help clarify what is realistic and what is most meaningful to you.
What therapy approaches do you use?
We draw on evidence-based approaches including fluency shaping techniques, stuttering modification therapy, and acceptance-based strategies. The mix depends on what you are trying to achieve. Some clients benefit most from fluency-building skills. Others find that working on the psychological and emotional side of stuttering has the biggest impact. Often it is a combination.
Is stuttering therapy covered by extended health benefits?
Many extended health benefit plans in BC cover SLP services, though coverage amounts vary by plan. Some plans require a referral from a physician for reimbursement, so it is worth checking your coverage before your first session. For a full overview, see the Arbutus Speech Therapy Funding Guide.
Can I do stuttering therapy online?
Yes. Arbutus Speech Therapy offers teletherapy for adults across BC. Online sessions cover the same range of assessment and therapy approaches as in-person sessions and work well for most adult clients. If you are outside of Vancouver or prefer online therapy, this is a fully supported option.
I have tried therapy before and it did not help. Is it worth trying again?
It depends on what you tried and what your goals are now. Some adults have had experiences with approaches that were not a good fit, or that focused only on speech mechanics without addressing the psychological side. A consultation is a low-commitment way to talk through what previous therapy involved and whether a different approach might be more useful.
What Clients Say
From adults who have been through it
Working with Arbutus Speech Therapy, my speech improved dramatically. It’s more than just practising talking. Our SLP really goes down the physiological and physical ways and explains why these can really affect your speech. 10/10 recommend for adults.
Adult client, Vancouver
I worked with Arbutus Speech Therapy over the course of several sessions, and the transformation has been incredible. Our SLP not only helped me improve my communication skills but also guided me through a deeper process of building confidence in how I express myself.
Adult client, Vancouver
Our SLP is smart, patient, and very nice to work with. She offers useful advice that immediately made my speech more engaging and helped me find the biggest areas for improvement.
Adult client, Vancouver
Take the first step.
A free phone consultation is a low-pressure way to find out whether therapy is right for you. No referral needed, no commitment, and no wait to find out where things stand.
Book a free phone consultationPrefer to send a message first? Contact us here.
