‘There is no cure for this’

An exploration of the professional identities of Speech and Language Therapists

Authors

  • Mary O'Dwyer Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
  • Margaret Leahy Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jircd.v7i2.29970

Keywords:

dialogic-performance analysis, people who stutter, professional identities, speech and language therapists

Abstract

Professional identities as a concept, and identities ascribed to speech and language therapists (SLTs) by people who stutter are the focus of this paper. A descriptive model is presented, outlining aspects of the co-construction of professional identities. People who stutter attend speech and language therapy and co-construct their own identities and the professional identities of SLTs in the process. Data from interviews with people who stutter is analysed using a dialogic/performance analysis (Riessman, 2008). This form of narrative analysis facilitates attention to the dialogical enactment of identities. The data leads to a focus on the negotiation of therapists’ professional identities as being able to provide a ‘cure’ in stuttering therapy with value placed on fluency – or stutter-free speech – as opposed to considering the whole person and working on feelings and thoughts as well as speech. The concept of professional identities – as dynamic and plural – is discussed and the negotiation of power relations as a facet of identity is explored.

Author Biographies

  • Mary O'Dwyer, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

    Mary O’Dwyer is a certified specialist in the area of Fluency Disorders with the European Clinical Specialization in Fluency Disorders. She is an accredited psychotherapist with the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She is currently a doctoral student at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. Her research interests include stuttering, narratives, narrative therapy, clinical interaction and professional issues. Recent Publication: Ryan, F., Leahy, M., and O’Dwyer, M. (2015). Separating the problem and the person: Insights from Narrative Therapy with People who Stutter. Topics in Language Disorders, 35(3), 267–274.

  • Margaret Leahy, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

    Margaret M. Leahy is Associate Professor in Speech and Language Pathology at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. She is a Steering Committee member of the European Clinical Specialization in Fluency Disorders. Her research interests include fluency and fluency disorders, discourse analysis and clinical education. Recent Publication: Leahy, M., O’Dwyer, M., and Ryan, F. (2012). Witnessing stories: Definitional Ceremonies in Narrative Therapy with adults who stutter. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 37 (4), 234–241.

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Published

2016-10-17

How to Cite

O'Dwyer, M., & Leahy, M. (2016). ‘There is no cure for this’: An exploration of the professional identities of Speech and Language Therapists. Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 7(2), 149-167. https://doi.org/10.1558/jircd.v7i2.29970

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