Virtual Adults Group for 20-30 Year Olds
Join us!
Looking to connect with other adults who stutter? Our virtual adult groups are for anyone ages 18 to 39 who wants to talk openly about stuttering, connect with others who get it, and share stories, support, and laughter in a caring, judgment-free space.
The group meets once a month (on the second Thursday) and runs for an hour and 15 minutes.
We hope you’ll join in whatever way feels comfortable for you, but if you’re up for it, we’d like to gently encourage everyone to keep their cameras on. Seeing each other helps create a more connected, inclusive space and lets others know they’re being heard.
If you have any questions, please don’t hestitate to contact us at friends@friendswhostutter.org.
Upcoming Dates: Thursdays at 7:30 PM Eastern on 6/12/25 and 8/14/25 (No group in July: Meet us in Charlotte!)
Note to SLPs and graduate students: Thanks for your interest in stuttering support groups! Groups play an important role in normalizing stuttering and fostering acceptance, growth, and resilience. We are grateful to so many therapists for spreading the word about our no-cost virtual groups. If you are looking to attend a group, please note that we do not offer opportunities to observe or participate in these peer support groups. For SLP educational and training opportunities, please see our one-day conferences and annual convention. We also recommend visiting our YouTube channel to watch panels of young people who stutter, parents, adults who stutter, and presentations by fellow SLPs. Join our mailing list below to get the latest updates about upcoming CEU and training opportunities.
Group Summary
Today we talked about how to be effective communicators and how stuttering does not dictate our ability to effectively communicate. Some of the ideas included maintaining eye contact, focusing on quality vs quantity in our message and staying true to ourselves in any communication situation. We also talked about introductions and shared comical stories of introductions gone wrong thanks to stuttering. People suggested trying voluntary stuttering for introductions or changing up how you introduce yourself. We finished the group talking about stuttering awareness week and how we can promote our stuttering through social media, wearing a Friends t-shirt or disclosing to people that we stutter. I look forward to June’s group!
— Aileen Rife on facilitating the May 8th Adult Group
(We also welcome you to read past group summaries here!)
Meet the Facilitation Team
Aileen Rife is a person who stutters and has been involved in Friends for over 18 years. Friends has had a significant positive impact on her life and she loves the chance to meet new people who stutter through the Virtual Adult Group. Aileen is a licensed CPA and works for a real estate investment firm. Email Aileen
Stavros Ladeas is a PWS, a proud father and software engineer based in Providence, RI. He spent a decade in NYC where he met his amazing wife and became involved in the stuttering advocacy community. His work challenges him and helps him grow, and he enjoys being a new parent in his free time. Email Stavros
Mike Turner is a father, a husband, a filmmaker, and a person who stutters. He attended FRIENDS for the first time in 2014, where he gave the keynote address about making his autobiographical film The Way We Talk. He lives in Oregon. Email Mike
Josette Tugander is a person who stutters, New York State certified school psychologist, and doctoral student in the School Psychology PsyD program at St. John’s University. She has been involved in Friends for over a decade and was one of the original founders of the virtual groups during the height of the pandemic. Friends has introduced Josette to some of her biggest mentors and greatest friends, and she has loved every minute of being involved in this incredible organization. Email Josette
Róisín McManus is stutterer, nurse practitioner and mother. She has been involved with Friends since 2010, and still gets chills witnessing its impact on kids, families, adults and therapists. She works as a nurse practitioner specializing in palliative care, and lives in Providence, RI with her husband, daughter and extended family. Email Róisín