Virtual Adults Group for 20-30 Year Olds
Join us!
Friends is really excited to offer Virtual Adults Groups for 20-30 year olds, which includes anyone between the ages of 18-39. These groups provide a comfortable space for adults who stutter to share stories and laughs virtually. Adult groups run for an hour and 15 minutes.
Upcoming Dates: Thursdays at 7:30 PM Eastern on 2/13/25, 3/13/25, and 4/10/25
Sign up here: Virtual Adults Group for 20-30 Year Olds Registration Form
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
We had a great group this evening! We talked a lot about introductions and how they make us feel. We recognized we most likely feel nervous and tense with introductions because it is the first time someone is hearing us speak. Introductions are often the first opportunity we have to let the person know we stutter, whether we disclose or just through our physical stutter. We then had a meaningful conversation about social anxiety and how stuttering can impact it. There are different physical, mental and emotional layers to it and it can be hard to balance how we feel in the moment vs how we will feel afterwards. It was good open and honest conversation and I am so happy the group felt comfortable being vulnerable with each other. I look forward to February’s group!
— Aileen Rife on facilitating the January 9th Adult Group
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