I believe that I stutter because I don't want to stutter. edit: I have this unmanageable fear that the other person will judge my speech that I second guess myself. /edit I'm so wrapped up in my head that it's become an unconscious reaction to speaking in public situations. I can talk/read alone, sing, and talk to my cat without stuttering. I even did a few tests with family and friends where I would put on loud headphones in an empty room, begin reading, and then tell them to walk in at any random time. With my back turned to the door, or with my eyes closed I never did once stutter. It's only once I'm aware that someone is in the room that I begin to stutter. I took speech therapy for a little but it became quite expensive ($125/hour) so I had to stop. He told me to consider meditating to get rid of anxiety and it has actually helped a lot. I have less anxiety, and no longer get embarrassed if I stutter out in public. It happens, it's a part of me and I have to accept that. If someone makes fun of my stutter they are likely someone that I don't want to know anyway. I am almost 100% okay with my stutter, except I'm still terrified of speaking at large events. I recently spoke as best man for my brother's in front of a 200 person wedding and was completely nervous. I got solid advice from a friend to speak to the newlyweds, and not to the audience - this made me 150% more comfortable and I got though the speech with only slight pausing and no repetition style stuttering. I've built a solid group of friends, and have almost no problem with talking to complete strangers. If I stutter, I stutter. It'll happen since I don't have complete control over it yet, but I won't let it have any more control over me than I've previously allowed. What I've done and what I believe has helped. 1) I joined a gym. I got huge and so did my confidence, I fill out my clothes now and look pretty damn good. The gym showed me that what I did and what I practiced actually mattered. Results come with hard work, and this applies to my stuttering too. 2) Meditation. I use guided meditation because my house is pretty loud and distracting. It calms me down and helps me have control over my breathing. If I stutter seriously I close my eyes, take a deep breath, then begin speaking again. This usually helps. 3) Reading to friends and family. I tell someone to sit quietly and play their XBOX game, read, or whatever. Then I'll just start reading - at least a handful of paragraphs. I make sure to control my pace and plan out proper ways to say words. (Soft touches on d's, letting air flow before c's, etc). 4) Reading to myself. Same as above, I guess. Just sitting in my garage and reading allowed to build up confidence that I actually am capable of fluent speech. Things I've read that apparently work. 1) The Voice Assist technique. a series of drills done in a classroom, is a simple one that’s not too difficult to get the hang of: Stand or sit face to face with someone with a memorized paragraph. After composing oneself, one speaks slowly – initially very slowly – syllable by syllable and nods ones head slightly with each syllable. You may think this is strange and unnatural, and initially it is, but you’ll soon see it working and be pleased how well you’re doing as you see your own, and your twin’s, ease and fluency build and build! 2) Yelling at an ocean. 3) Deliberate stuttering. Stutter on purpose for a short while and then say the word. Apparently it can help a lot, I've seen it recommended plenty of times. ---- Just do whatever you can to build confidence within yourself. Practice proper breathing, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Don't hold your breath when you talk or are about to talk. Read aloud a lot, alone and with others. Don't EVER be afraid to speak, ever. What you want to say is important to you and people should hear it, if you stutter for a few seconds it isn't going to change what you are saying, people will still listen [("because I have a voice!")](http://vimeo.com/27313479). It sounds way worse to you in your head than it does to them. Don't get complacent when things are going right and don't get discouraged when things go wrong. Stuttering probably can't be completely defeated, but it can definitely be controlled.