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Mindful Communication™

mindful-communication-class

***COVID-19 update: this course will take place online via Zoom***

What does the program look like?

Each week will include a combination of classroom-style teaching, practice activities, and group discussion. Key topics will be introduced weekly, and concepts and skills will build on learning from the previous week. Participants will be given homework assignments or may be asked to prepare a speaking topic for a given week. Activities and exercises will cover mindfulness, mental-emotional aspects of speaking (e.g. exploring the impact of feeling anxious or distracted when talking), and technical speech practice (e.g. maintaining a steady speech rate or practicing eye contact). While the program follows the speech IRL Mindful Communication™ curriculum, the amount of time spent on activities or discussion is flexible according to group preferences.

 

Who is this program for?

This program is well-suited for individuals wishing to improve their communication skills for any of the following reasons:

  • Feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or stress associated with speaking
  • Lack of confidence in speaking abilities
  • Self-conscious about imperfections or mistakes in your speech
  • Frequently feeling distracted, unfocused, or losing your own train of thought when speaking
  • A habit of speaking too quickly
  • Difficulty connecting with listeners when expressing ideas or explaining concepts

 

I don't have a communication disorder, can I still benefit from this program?

Yes. This program is designed for anyone who struggles with verbal communication, regardless of if there is a clear communication disorder present or not. This is not a speech therapy program.Treatment of specific speech-language disorders is not a component of this program.

All participants will be asked to develop personal communication goals for the program. If you do have a speech or language disorder, you may choose to practice previously-learned technical skills as part of your goal plan, if desired. Feedback on these skills can be provided by the group leader during activities and assignments. However, all group teaching and discussion time will focus on higher-level communication topics relevant to the entire group.

 

Will insurance pay for this program?

No. This is not a speech therapy treatment program, and as such is not eligible for reimbursement by insurance.

Some employers may pay for this type of program as part of "communication training" or "professional development". speech IRL encourages participants to let your employer know that you have signed up for this course, and determine if partial or full reimbursement is possible. We can provide you and/or your employer with receipts and records as needed to facilitate this arrangement.

 

What kind of results can I expect from this program?

The goal of this program is to provide you with the knowledge and practical experience to grow into a confident, effective, personable communicator. Mindfulness-based communication training typically yields improved speaking confidence, improved audience connection skills, and an improved mental-emotional speaking state. Self-awareness is a critical component of this course, and the goal is for you to be able to independently continue improving your communication once the program is complete.

Communication skills never stop improving, there is always room for growth! This program will equip you with basic tools and understanding to create a solid foundation in your communication journey, that we hope you will continue for years to come!

 

What is this course not?

This course is not a cure for severe social anxiety, although the program does provide tools for working with anxiety in communication contexts.

 

Upon registration

Please leave a phone number! The course instructor will reach out to confirm your registration and discuss your goals for the program. It is highly important to us that each of our clients get the most out of our programs. Additionally, if you are able, we’d highly encourage you to come in for a free consultation to make sure this is the right fit.

Develop your communication skills with others in our group classes

Groups are open to everybody, from the newbie who has never received speech therapy, to the expert on social communication just looking for a tune-up.

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8 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 812 
Chicago, IL 60603
312.870.0352

logo

8 S Michigan Ave, Suite 812
Chicago, IL 60603
312.870.0352

logo

8 S Michigan Ave     Suite 812
Chicago, IL 60603
312.870.0352

logo

8 S Michigan Ave, Suite 812
Chicago, IL 60603
312.870.0352

logo

8 S Michigan Ave, Suite 812
Chicago, IL 60603
312.870.0352
Looking for employee training? Check out our Business Services
Looking for employee training? Check out our Business Services
Looking for employee training? Check out our Business Services
Looking for employee training? Check out our Business Services
Looking for employee training? Check out our Business Services