I just want to piggyback and say that everything that Tim just said is spot on, imo. Learning that there are options other than fluency can be incredibly liberating. We need to remember that stuttering isn't what's hurting us so much. It's how we feel about our stuttering that's causing so much pain. I've met people with some pretty solid disfluencies but they choose to speak in their own way, without any of the extra baggage (secondary characteristics, avoidance behaviors) that Tim has mentioned and they can't imagine going back. Just think what it must be like to stammer but not be bothered by it. Not to have all those negative feelings associated with it and just being able to stammer in a comfortable way. So that instead of avoiding eye contact, blocking, repeating sentences, overthinking, forcing, panicking, you just speak and stammer sometimes. I'm just beginning down the path and from speaking with many people who've achieved success i've learned a few things. 1. this is very hard. it is uncomfortable, scary, and sometimes even feels brutal, but you've got to stay with it. Smash your fear, bust your shame. 2. A good clinician and support system are crucial. We're kind of turning everything upside down here and it's few and counter intuitive and very demanding. I would recommend you find an SLP who you trust and is familiar with avoidance reduction therapy types. p.s. Sheenhan is the man!