Preach it, brother! OP - As it happens, increased fluency seems to often come with the increased confidence. Regardless of that though, most of the stammerers in the group I go to are much better communicators now than most non-stammerers, because we've been taught good communication techniques. Some of them have become very 'fluent', others still stammer but are in control of the stammer and of themselves. And yeah, it's hard. You're reprogramming a lot of learned behaviours that you've developed over a long time, and changing the way you think about yourself. You're at the right age though, OP. As Pussy says, you need to find a clinician who has embraced this approach. There aren't many but if you like I'll PM you the details of my place and they might be able to recommend one near you. I wish I'd found this approach when I was your age.