About Barbara Dahm
Barbara Dahm is a distinguished speech-language pathologist renowned for her innovative work in fluency disorders, particularly stuttering. With over five decades of clinical experience, she has significantly influenced the field through her development of Dynamic Stuttering Therapy (DST), a holistic approach that emphasizes natural speech production over traditional control techniques.
Education and Credentials
Barbara earned her degrees from Boston University and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). She is also a Board Certified Specialist in Stuttering, Cluttering and Fluency Disorders (BCS-SCF). Licensed to practice in both New Jersey and Israel, she has been an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Israel Association of Communications Clinicians, and is a founding member of the International Fluency Association.
A Global Leader in Stuttering Therapy
Dynamic Stuttering Therapy
In 1993, Barbara introduced the speech processing approach for treating stuttering, which she later published in 1997 as Generating Fluent Speech: A Comprehensive Speech Processing Approach. This method was further refined with the publication of the Dynamic Stuttering Therapy Workbook in 2007.
DST focuses on retraining the process of speaking to produce speech naturally, without consciously controlling or monitoring speech. It addresses both the neurological processes of speech production and the psychological factors—such as thoughts, emotions, and attitudes—that can interfere with the flow of speech. Barbara's approach encourages clients to let go of counterproductive speech behaviors, allowing for the emergence of natural fluency.
Professional Practice and Outreach
As the director of the Communication Therapy Institute (CTI), a private clinic specializing in the treatment of stuttering that was founded in 1987, and Stuttering Online Therapy, Barbara offers a range of services including online therapy, workshops, consultations, and clinician training. Her online practice caters to individuals aged 12 and above, providing personalized therapy sessions that utilize the DST approach.
Barbara has presented her methods to professionals and individuals who stutter across various countries, including the Netherlands, Portugal, England, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Israel, and the USA. She has also been active in self-help groups for people who stutter in both Israel and the United States.
Publications and Media
In addition to her books, Barbara has contributed to several publications on stuttering therapy and speech processing. Her research and insights are accessible through platforms like ResearchGate. She also shares educational content and therapy insights on her YouTube channel. Barbara Dahm's work continues to inspire both clinicians and individuals who stutter, offering a transformative approach that emphasizes a natural speaking experience and the empowerment of the speaker.