Gender Affirming Voice Services
Like a fingerprint, your voice is unique to you – a powerful expression of who you are.
Because your voice is so intrinsically linked to your identity, it makes sense that voice therapy often plays a role in the gender affirmation process for trans and gender diverse people.
The Speak and Swallow Speech Therapy team, based in North Brisbane, offer both in-clinic and telehealth gender affirming voice therapy that will allow you to redefine your voice and build confidence using it in your daily life.
What Is Gender Affirming Voice Therapy?
Gender affirming voice therapy is a type of voice therapy provided by Speech Pathologists to help individuals change or expand their vocal range and communication style – making their voice brighter and lighter, or deeper and stronger.
How Does Gender Affirming Voice Therapy Work?
The sound of your voice is made up of a combination of muscle movements, breathing, and positioning. Because there are many different parts involved in producing your voice, there is a lot that a Speech Pathologist’s can help you to do that will change the sound of your voice. Beyond this, your Speech Pathologist can also help you to target the non-verbal aspects of communication that can help you to affirm your identity.
Gender affirming voice therapy typically involves a set of exercises and techniques that will help you control different features of your voice including pitch, resonance, and inflection. While these exercises and techniques will require intentional use to produce a voice that aligns with your gender identity, over time you may find it becomes second nature.
We’ll help you find a voice that feels natural, comfortable, and most importantly, expresses your authentic identity!
Gender Affirming Voice Therapy may include:
Resonance Modification: This involves changing where the voice vibrates from. In therapy, you’ll notice that by shifting your resonance higher in the mouth or head you can create a lighter, brighter more feminine voice and by moving resonance to lower in the chest, you can create a fuller, deeper and darker sound more masculine voice.
Intonation and Speech Patterns: Gender affirming voice therapy can include targeted practice that will help you to change the rhythm, melody, and inflection patterns of your speech. This can include things like how sentences rise and fall when you speak, which can contribute to a gendered communication style.
Breath Control: Efficient breath support and control is critical for sustaining new vocal habits and maintaining your overall vocal health, especially during the process of changing your speaking patterns.
Loudness and Voice Quality: The perception of someone’s voice being of a particular gender can also be affected by how loudly or softly someone speaks, as well as their overall voice quality (breathy, sharp, bright, etc.). Gender affirming voice therapy can help you to adjust these aspects of your voice.
Non-Verbal Communication: An important aspect of gender affirming communication therapy you may not have considered is the impact of non-verbal communication. Things like gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and social communication style can impact the perception of a person’s gender.
How Long Will I Need Gender Affirming Voice Therapy?
Every voice is unique. Many people notice changes in their voice within 8-12 sessions, but the journey is tailored to you. These voice therapy sessions can be provided from the comfort of your home, our welcoming Burpengary East clinic or offered over telehealth for flexibility.
Book Your First Gender Affirming Voice Therapy Appointment
Ready to start your gender affirming voice journey? Reach out to the friendly team at Speak and Swallow Speech Therapy today to arrange a time for your initial assessment appointment.
During this session, your Speech Pathologist will get to know you, your voice goals, and the different ways you like to use your voice to develop a tailored plan of exercises and techniques that will help you to redefine your voice.
By working with an experienced Speech Pathologist, you’ll be in safe hands as you navigate this exciting journey towards gender affirmation. Speak and Swallow Speech Therapy are known for providing quality voice therapy in North Brisbane and will be able to provide exercises and techniques that will help you to redefine your voice in a healthy, sustainable way.
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