Therapy Services

Every voice is unique, which is why treatment begins with understanding your individual concerns, goals, and vocal demands. Whether your voice changes are affecting your work, daily communication, or quality of life, we provide personalized, evidence-based care designed to help you achieve a healthier, more efficient voice.

Comprehensive Voice Assessment

Your first appointment includes a thorough evaluation to better understand your vocal function and identify factors contributing to your voice concerns. Both quantitative and qualitative measures are used to ensure a complete look at each client's voice needs. The assessment may include:

A detailed review of your medical history, voice use, and vocal symptoms
Evaluation of vocal quality , pitch, loudness, resonance, and breathing habits
Assessment of vocal efficiency and speaking habits
Client-reported measures of voice-related quality of life
Review of laryngeal imaging or collaboration with your ENT physician when appropriate

(Depending on the severity of the voice problems being experienced, it is highly recommended for a client to consult with their ENT physician before beginning voice therapy.) Following the evaluation, we will discuss the findings and develop and individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals. These assessment tools will also be used to track progress over time.

Treatment For Voice Disorders

A voice disorder occurs when voice quality, pitch, and loudness differ or are inappropriate for an individual’s age, gender, cultural background, or geographic location. A voice disorder is present when an individual expresses concern about having an abnormal voice that does not meet daily needs—even if others do not perceive it as different or deviant (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 1993; Colton & Casper, 2011; Stemple et al., 2010; Verdolini & Ramig, 2001). Voice disorders may be organic (physiological, ex: nodules), functional (inefficient voice use, ex: muscle tension dysphonia), or both. Treatment for these disorders combines such practices as vocal anatomy and physiology education, vocal hygiene and voice use education, Resonant Voice Therapy, Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE), Stretch and Flow Phonation Therapy, Vocal Function Exercises, Semi-occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVTs), and many more. The amount of therapy sessions needed vary by each client's individual needs and abilities, but tend to be between 8-15 sessions on average.

Gender Affirmation Voice Therapy

People may seek gender affirmation services to make their voice and/or other aspects of their communication congruent with their gender and/or gender expression. Studies indicate that a voice that is incongruent with gender identity can negatively impact quality of life, in addition to attracting unwanted attention and greatly impacting safety (Nobili et al., 2018; Oates & Dacakis, 2015). Gender affirming voice and communication therapy focuses on a combination of characteristics, including pitch, resonance, speech, and nonverbal communication, to better align gender and gender expression (Hancock & Garabedian, 2013). Our gender affirmation voice therapy is focused on each client's specific wants and needs in a supportive, affirming environment to help them develop a voice and communication style that aligns with their gender identity and personal goals.

Collaboration

When appropriate, care is coordinated with otolaryngologists (ENT physicians), primary care providers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive treatment. Our goal is to help you communicate comfortably, confidently, and with a voice that supports your everyday life.