In my opinion: If we block on a feared word (like on our name), then it's subconscious. My argument is, that if I block on: "M-M-M-M-My name is", then in this case my articulators freeze, and don't continue **moving** to the next sound. Since the movements of the articulators is not operated by the same part of the brain that operates the heart beat, I consider this as subconscious. Yes indeed, a speech block may seem like the brain refuses (or withdraws from) playing this game. But the execution of speech movements is not operated unconsciously where it's run by the part of the brain that our consciousness cannot approach. Subconscious may be an action with less awareness of it, but it's always at least partially conscious and we have at least partially control over it. Like other [neurological habits](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22neurological+habit%22), stuttering is an automated muscle memory and emotional state. It's not the same as people who have a neurogenic stuttering where it's out of their control, but unfortuantely most **people who stutter (PWS)** act like it is. It's definitely not, but most **PWS** act like it's an unconscious action from the part of the brain that also operates our heart beat. I consider blocking where one part of us tries to say it, while the other part of us gives up saying it. We experience and feel that we can't say it. "*I*" want to speak, but some part of me simply feels that I can't. Once we find a way to choose at this point, blocks are ready to go away. Additionally, many PWS consider blocking and tensing one and the same, but I think we can distinguish tensing and blocking as they are two different actions, verbs and meanings. I argue, after we unlearn speaking with articulatory tension, then the blocks may turn into silent blocks (or blocks with less tension) which has the negative result that listeners have a harder time to comprehend our message with silent blocks and listeners are then more likely to abandon the speaking situation, in my opinion. This makes it so hard to unlearn or stop applying 'tension' or other secondary struggle behaviors. I think with mindful observation how we block, we can distinguish what we can and cannot do during a block, in order to unlearn unhelpful beliefs/attitudes and learn helpful beliefs/attitudes to reach subconscious fluency or put it into remission. This is just my take on it.