Virtual Teen Groups
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Friends is excited to offer Virtual Teen Groups for teens who stutter. The purpose of these groups is to create a safe space for teens to connect, inspire, and laugh with friends who also stutter. All teen groups are facilitated by an adult who stutters.
We hope you’ll join in whatever way feels comfortable for you, but if you’re up for it, we’d like to gently encourage everyone to keep their cameras on. Seeing each other helps create a more connected, inclusive space and lets others know they’re being heard.
Upcoming Dates
We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM Eastern, and our group lasts approximately an hour.
➤ Wed. November 12, 2025, 7:30–8:30 PM Eastern
➤ Wed. December 10, 2025, 7:30–8:30 PM Eastern
Note to SLPs and graduate students
Thanks for your interest in stuttering support groups! Groups play an important role in normalizing stuttering and fostering acceptance, growth, and resilience. We are grateful to so many therapists for spreading the word about our no-cost virtual groups. If you are looking to attend a group, please note that we do not offer opportunities to observe or participate in these peer support groups. For SLP educational and training opportunities, please see our one-day events and annual convention. We also recommend visiting our YouTube channel to watch panels of young people who stutter, parents, adults who stutter, and presentations by fellow SLPs. Join our mailing list below to get the latest updates about upcoming CEU and training opportunities.
If you have any questions
Highlights from Our Lastest Teen Group
We had a GREAT meet this month! We talked about ISAD and this year’s theme. We checked out some of the Kid and Teen entries. One teen said in regards to strengths and stuttering that “empathy has helped me have the ability to face obstacles head on.”
We talked about what we wish people knew about stuttering. Some comments from the teens included ‘stuttering has nothing to do with intelligence’ and ‘don’t let others bully or mock you for who you are.’
We also discussed self-disclosure and self-advocacy at school. Many of the teens shared how they have sent their teachers emails educating their teacher about their stutter or have given presentations to their class and even their entire school! We also talked about how it’s important to have trusted adults and friends to go to when dealing with teasing, bullying, etc. Many of the teens shared how supportive their family and friends are.
Lastly, we talked about the annual Friends convention, upcoming one-day events, and a couple of the teens mentioned attending various summer camps (i.e., SAY, Camp Words Unspoken). AMAZING!
– Mandy Rodstrom on facilitating the October 8th Teen Group
Team
Josette Tugander is a person who stutters, New York State certified school psychologist, and doctoral student in the School Psychology PsyD program at St. John’s University. She has been involved in Friends for over a decade and was one of the original founders of the virtual groups during the height of the pandemic. Friends has introduced Josette to some of her biggest mentors and greatest friends, and she has loved every minute of being involved in this incredible organization. Email Josette
Naomi Rodgers is an assistant professor at the University of Iowa where she researchers the social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of stuttering and also teaches students who are on their way to becoming speech-language pathologists. Her journey as a person who stutters and engagement in the stuttering support community over the past 15 years have been a continual source of inspiration for her, both personally and professionally. Naomi lives in Iowa City, IA with her husband, young daughter, and two goldendoodles. Email Naomi
Christian Zapata is a person who stutters and has been a member of Friends for 13 years. He has loved coming to national conferences every year and meeting new friends who stutter while also catching up with old stuttering friends! Friends has had an incredibly positive impact on his life and how he views stuttering. Christian has just finished his Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Maryland in 2024 after completing his undergraduate studies at Penn State. Email Christian