Hollins Communications Research Institute

What Hollins Communications Research Institute does

Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and therapy institute founded in 1972 by Dr. Ronald L. Webster in Roanoke, Virginia. The organization specializes in intensive behavioral therapy for individuals who stutter, serving adults and teenagers (minimum age 16) with conditions ranging from mild to severe. Since its founding, HCRI has treated more than 6,500 clients from across the United States and 50 countries, with outcomes of 93% achieving fluent speech during the 12-day program and 70-75% retaining fluency at two-year follow-up.

HCRI's core offering is the Hollins Fluency System III (HFS III): High Definition Speech Reconstruction for Stuttering, a 12-day intensive in-person therapy program delivering 100 hours of one-on-one treatment. The proprietary system uses specialized electronics, computer software, real-time speech signal analysis, quantitative measurement tools, and a mobile app to teach clients to replace faulty speech muscle movements with new behaviors that generate fluent speech. Supporting products include FluencyNet (a computer-based practice system with real-time speech feedback via green/red bar visualization), the HCRI iPhone app marketed as a "therapist in your pocket," and remote refresher courses delivered via FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom. All clinicians must complete a 500-hour certification program before administering therapy. U.S. patents have been awarded for the institute's stuttering therapy innovations.

HCRI generates revenue primarily through its $4,285 therapy program (approximately $42.85 per therapy hour), FluencyNet subscription renewals ($19.95 to $174.95 across 30-day to 1-year tiers), alumni refresher courses, and remote coaching services delivered by former clinicians under the Confident Voices Fluency Coaching brand. As a nonprofit, the organization also receives charitable donations and research grants from foundations (J.M. Milbank, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Philip Morris International) and government bodies including NIH/NIDCD. The organization operates a single Roanoke, Virginia facility and reaches customers through its website (stuttering.org), blog, client before-and-after videos, alumni network, and earned media coverage in outlets including Today Show, 20/20, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.

Name

Hollins Communications Research Institute

Legal name

Hollins Communications Research Institute

Website

https://stuttering.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HCRI is a nonprofit research institute in Roanoke, Virginia that delivers intensive 12-day, in-person stuttering therapy to adults and teens using a proprietary behavioral system. Founded in 1972, it has treated over 6,500 clients from the U.S. and 50 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Speech Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation/Phonology) Intervention (EDAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech (EDAFAKAB)

Keywords

• Behavioral stuttering therapy
• Speech fluency treatment
• Intensive speech therapy programs
• Fluency coaching services
• Stuttering rehabilitation institute

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 12-Day Stuttering Therapy Program: Primary revenue stream from intensive 12-day in-person stuttering therapy at Roanoke, Virginia center. Program includes one-on-one clinician guidance, use of proprietary technology, post-therapy support package, FluencyNet software subscription, and practice tools.
2. FluencyNet Subscriptions: Ongoing subscription revenue from FluencyNet practice software. Alumni receive free initial subscription with therapy program, then can renew at various tiers (30-day, 90-day, 6-month, 1-year).
3. Remote Fluency Coaching: Private, personalized remote coaching services provided by former HCRI clinicians for alumni seeking additional support.
4. Alumni Refresher Programs: Five-day in-person alumni refresher programs and remote web-based refresher courses via FaceTime/Skype for alumni wishing to sharpen fluency skills.
5. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, HCRI receives charitable donations and research grants from foundations including J.M. Milbank Foundation, Phillip Morris International, and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HCRI delivers an intensive, science-based 12-day behavioral stuttering therapy program at its Roanoke, Virginia center, teaching clients to replace faulty speech-muscle movements with new behaviors that generate fluent speech. Therapy is administered one-on-one by clinicians who complete a 500-hour HCRI certification, and is supported by proprietary technologies (Hollins Fluency System III, real-time speech measurement tools, FluencyNet software, and the HCRI iPhone app) plus lifetime post-therapy support and alumni refresher services.

Product overview

HCRI offers a single, unified product portfolio centered on its proprietary Hollins Fluency System III (HFS III) - a science-based 12-day intensive behavioral stuttering therapy program that teaches clients to replace faulty speech muscle movements with new behaviors generating fluent speech. This core therapy is supported by complementary tools including FluencyNet (computer-based speech measurement practice system), the HCRI iPhone app ('therapist in your pocket'), and extensive post-therapy support including remote refresher courses via FaceTime/Skype/Zoom. HCRI's 500-hour clinician certification program ensures quality-controlled therapy delivery. Previous generations include the Precision Fluency Shaping Program (now superseded by HFS III).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hollins Fluency System III: The latest generation of HCRI's proprietary stuttering therapy program, described as 'High Definition Speech Reconstruction for Stuttering'. It incorporates the latest research findings, technology, and training methods.
• FluencyNet

Products and services

• Hollins Fluency System III (HFS III): High Definition Speech Reconstruction for Stuttering HCRI's flagship 12-day intensive behavioral stuttering therapy program that teaches individuals to replace faulty speech-muscle contractions causing stuttering with new muscle behaviors that generate fluent speech. Includes one-on-one clinician guidance at the Roanoke, Virginia center, real-time speech measurement, computer software, mobile app, therapy manuals, and post-therapy support. Designed for adults and teens (age 16+) with mild to severe stuttering.
• FluencyNet Computer-based fluency skills practice system used by HCRI alumni to validate and strengthen specific fluency skills learned in therapy, using a microphone and software to provide real-time measures of speech sounds and immediate green/red visual feedback on production relative to fluency standards. Available as the FluencyNet microphone + software bundle and as recurring 30-day, 90-day, 6-month and 1-year subscriptions.
• HCRI iPhone App ("therapist in your pocket") Mobile application that evaluates, scores, and provides immediate feedback on the speech skills taught during HCRI therapy, functioning as a portable practice and progress tool for post-therapy support.
• Post-Therapy Support Program Comprehensive post-therapy support package providing HCRI alumni with clinician phone and email contact, a complimentary first-year FluencyNet subscription, practice groups via conference call and Zoom, access to five-day alumni refresher programs, and program manuals and CDs for lifelong fluency maintenance.
• Remote Refresher Courses Web-based refresher courses for HCRI alumni delivered via FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom, consisting of eight one-hour sessions with an HCRI clinician plus one-on-one remote therapy sessions, enabling alumni to sharpen fluency skills without traveling to Virginia.
• Confident Voices Fluency Coaching Private, personalized remote fluency coaching delivered by authorized, certified former HCRI clinicians to alumni seeking additional fluency support on a one-on-one basis after completing the 12-day therapy program.
• 500-Hour Clinician Certification Program Comprehensive 500-hour training and certification program that all HCRI clinicians must complete before they are authorized to administer HCRI stuttering therapy, ensuring consistent, precise delivery of the Hollins Fluency System III.
• Hollins Speakers Group Toastmasters-style practice and transfer group for HCRI alumni where members present speeches in a supportive environment to practice and improve presentation skills after therapy.
• Electronic Speech Measurement Systems Proprietary electronic systems invented by HCRI for measuring speech signals during therapy, providing real-time measures of speech sounds, evaluating production relative to fluency standards, and immediately signaling results via on-screen graphs and FluencyNet's green/red feedback. Awarded U.S. patents for stuttering therapy innovations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% achieve fluent speech by end of 12-day program
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor more than 20 years, HCRI has partnered with NIDCD to advance scientific understanding of stuttering. HCRI was member of NIDCD team that discovered the genetic link to stuttering, published in New England Journal of Medicine (2010). Collaborated on pioneering study evaluating therapy outcomes among stutterers with mutant genes vs non-carriers, published in Journal of Communications Disorders (2019). Research supported by NIDCD grants.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaborative research with NIH examining impact of HCRI therapy on persons with mutant genes for stuttering. Study found significant fluency outcomes for both carrier and non-carrier groups. May lead to customized treatment approaches for genetic subgroups.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• PresenceLearning: Telehealth platform providing online speech-language pathology services to schools and families. Comparable as an online speech therapy channel competing for the same pediatric and adolescent stuttering cases HCRI is beginning to target.
• Expressable: Online speech therapy platform delivering teletherapy for stuttering, articulation, language, and related disorders. Comparable as a speech-language pathology provider targeting the same stuttering population, but uses a scalable telehealth model rather than in-person intensive therapy.
• Better Speech: Online speech therapy service offering live, one-on-one sessions with licensed speech-language pathologists covering stuttering and other communication disorders. Comparable as a speech therapy provider competing for the same stuttering patients through a digital-first delivery model.
• Great Speech: Virtual speech therapy company providing online sessions for stuttering, accent modification, and pediatric speech disorders. Comparable as a speech therapy alternative addressing the same clinical condition as HCRI via remote delivery.

Direct peers

• Casa Futura Technologies: Niche provider of electronic anti-stuttering devices and altered auditory feedback technology. Comparable as a stuttering-treatment specialist competing for the same patient population, but offers a hardware/assistive-device approach rather than behavioral therapy.
• Stuttering Foundation of America: Long-standing nonprofit dedicated to stuttering that provides free educational resources, referrals, and consumer-facing information. Directly comparable as a stuttering-specific mission-driven organization serving the same end population as HCRI.
• National Stuttering Association: Largest nonprofit support organization for people who stutter in the U.S., running local chapters, conferences, and advocacy programs. Comparable as a parallel nonprofit serving the same consumer base, though focused on community and self-help rather than clinical therapy.
• SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young: Nonprofit providing support programs, summer camps, and services for young people who stutter. Closely comparable as a stuttering-specialty mission organization, but focuses on youth empowerment and community rather than intensive clinical therapy.

Broad incumbents

• Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning: University-based speech-language clinic providing evaluation and therapy for stuttering and related disorders. Comparable as a broad clinical provider offering stuttering services within a wider portfolio, with academic affiliation analogous to HCRI's research identity.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): National professional and credentialing organization representing speech-language pathologists, including those treating stuttering. Comparable as the dominant incumbent setting standards for the field in which HCRI operates, and a continuing source of referrals into specialty programs like HCRI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/help4stuttering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hollins Communications Research Institute