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Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

Voice training for gender identity

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  • Who it's for: Gender affirming voice therapy is for transgender and non-binary individuals seeking to align their voices with their gender identity. Therapy benefits anyone experiencing distress or dysphoria due to a voice that doesn’t match their authentic self.
  • What it addresses: Gender affirming voice therapy focuses on modifying pitch, resonance, intonation, and other vocal characteristics to align with an individual’s gender identity. Therapy also addresses challenges related to social confidence and vocal safety during these adjustments.
  • Why Verse Therapy: Verse Therapy offers experienced, empathetic therapists skilled in gender affirming voice techniques. Verse therapists use evidence-based methods, tailored treatment plans, and supportive environments to ensure effective and affirming care.

Explore Your Gender Affirming Voice Therapy Options

Gender affirming voice therapy is personalized based on individual needs, focusing on approaches designed to address the unique challenges of aligning one's voice with their gender identity. Some specific therapies that modify vocal characteristics to foster authentic self-expression are listed below:

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Pitch Modification

This therapy safely adjusts vocal pitch to align with gender identity. Techniques, such as pitch glides (i.e. practicing scales), are used to raise or lower pitch in an effort to form a new habitual pitch that feels more authentic for the individual. Pitch may also be adjusted situationally (i.e. changed based on environment or circumstance).

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Resonance Adjustment

Modifying vocal resonance affects voice quality. Exercises such as flow phonation or semi-occluded vocal tract help achieve the desired resonance.

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Intonation and Speech Patterns

This therapy enhances speech patterns, such as inflection and rhythm, to reflect gender-specific communication styles. Tones can be adjusted through diaphragmatic breathing, and vowel modification and formant shifting.

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Non-Verbal Communication Training

It is important to align non-verbal cues, like gestures and facial expressions, with vocal changes to ensure cohesive gender expression. Therapists coach individuals in these areas based on individual needs.

Schedule a consultation today to explore the right treatment for you.

Understanding Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

  • Transgender and non-binary individuals face challenges when their voice does not align with their gender identity, such as gender dysphoria or social anxiety. These challenges impact daily interactions and overall well-being.
    • Voice and Gender Identity: Voice is significant in gender perception and distress can arise when one's voice doesn't match their gender identity.
    • Social Interaction Difficulties: A misaligned voice can lead to misunderstandings or discomfort in social settings, affecting relationships and social participation.
    • Impact on Quality of Life: Voice incongruence can affect mental health, confidence, and opportunities in personal and professional life.
  • Gender affirming voice therapy can be transformative in aiding transgender and non-binary individuals to find their authentic voice.

Benefits of Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

Gender affirming voice therapy helps individuals align their voice with their gender identity, improving communication, confidence, and quality of life. There are both tangible and emotional benefits, such as:

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Authentic Self-Expression

Therapy enables individuals to express their true selves through a voice that matches their gender identity, enhancing personal authenticity.

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Enhanced Social Confidence

Aligning one's voice with their gender identity builds confidence in social interactions, reducing anxiety and improving relationships.

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Improved Mental Well-Being

Achieving vocal congruence can alleviate gender dysphoria and contribute to overall emotional health.

Why Choose Verse Therapy for Gender Affirming Voice Therapy?

Verse Therapy's services are a top choice for gender affirming voice therapy due to their accessibility, convenience, flexibility, and personalized care.

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Inclusive and Affirming Environment

Verse Therapy provides a supportive space where individuals can explore and develop their authentic voice without judgment.

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Experienced Specialists

Verse therapists are experts in gender affirming voice therapy, and they have a commitment to personalized care and evidence-based practice.

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Virtual Convenience

Virtual therapy eliminates the need for travel, making it easier for individuals to access high-quality gender affirming voice therapy. This convenience is especially beneficial for those with busy schedules or mobility challenges.

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Flexibility

Scheduling virtual therapy sessions fits into diverse lifestyles. Virtual sessions accommodate work, school, or family responsibilities and reduce stress for individuals balancing multiple commitments.

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Personalized Care

Verse therapy maintains a one-on-one, tailored approach to meet individual needs. Therapy plans and interactions are designed specifically for the client’s goals and communication challenges.

What to Expect from Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

The process of gender affirming voice therapy will have several steps:

01Initial Consultation

An expert, Verse speech-language pathologist will assess your current voice characteristics and discuss goals to create a personalized therapy plan.

02Personalized Treatment Plan

A customized therapy plan is created based on individual needs and preferences.

03Ongoing Therapy Sessions

Therapy sessions are conducted regularly to address your goals, progress is monitored, and goals are adjusted to achieve maximum benefit.

04Maintenance Strategies

Long-term strategies are suggested to sustain vocal health and maximize satisfaction and success.

Meet Our Gender Affirming Voice Therapy Specialists

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Chantal Mathurin
Chantal Mathurin was born and raised in Miami, FL. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and her Master's degree from Carlos Albizu University. Chantal has over nine years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings. Being fluent in Haitian-Creole, Chantal is well-equipped to provide bilingual services and advocate for communities that are unfamiliar with communication disorders/speech therapy. Chantal ensures a positive clinical environment where clients feel respected and valued during treatment. She takes pride in seeing her clients reach their communication goals and always strives to provide evidence-based and tailored therapy plans that cater to their individual needs. Chantal is licensed in Florida, Oregon, Texas, California, and Washington and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Aside from her work, Chantal enjoys traveling and being active. She also loves spending time with her family and has a keen interest in interior design. **My Approach to Therapy** Your Well-Being Comes First: Communication is influenced by emotional, social, and physical factors, and I aim to support you in a way that respects and addresses these aspects. I see you as a whole person, not just someone with a speech concern. I care about your overall health. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: We’ll work together to set meaningful, achievable goals that align with your needs and priorities. We’re a team — I bring expertise, and you bring your personal experiences. Together, we’ll celebrate successes, address challenges, and adapt as needed to ensure your therapy is effective and supportive. I want you to leave each session feeling more capable, empowered, and at ease with your voice. In short, my approach is about more than just reaching speech goals — it’s about fostering your confidence, well-being, and sense of agency. Together, we’ll work toward a future where you feel proud and empowered in your communication. **What A Therapy Session Looks Like With Me:** A session with me is a blend of hard work, focus, and fun. While we’ll dive into specific speech goals, I make sure that the process feels engaging, motivating, and tailored to you. Every session is designed to be a positive experience where you can challenge yourself while feeling supported and confident. **Fun Facts About Chantal** When I'm not in a speech session, you can usually find me taking a neighborhood walk with my husband, doing arts and crafts with my 3-year-old daughter, reading a romance novel, or exploring a new restaurant.
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Paul McGill
Paul McGill is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 5 years of experience in outpatient settings, schools, and telehealth. His areas of expertise include social communication (pragmatics), school-related language disorders, executive functioning skills, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and cognitive communication disorders. Paul is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a certified trainer of the PEERS Program. He holds a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Utah and a MA in Speech-Language Pathology from New Mexico State University. Paul enjoys his free time hiking, gaming with friends, reading, and finding new boba tea shops to try. **My Approach to Therapy** My approach to therapy includes a collaborative effort between you, your support team, and myself! I will work within your interests to create goals and sessions that are engaging, individualized to your needs, and easy to generalize skills taught in therapy to other settings! **What A Typical Session Looks Like With Me** Sessions will typically begin with a check in or a mindfulness activity. Our headspace going into therapy can make or break the mood so its vital we tailor activities to where you are in the moment. Activities take a multimodal approach: some days we will do video models, games, reading passages, interviews, or roleplay scenarios! Finally, we address your communication needs, your attitude towards communication, and more topics at the end. **Fun Facts About Paul** I am a huge gamer! From board games to video games to table top RPGs, I love how engaging and easy it is to see the importance of speech and language skills outside of therapy. I am also trying new cooking recipes, places to hike, and books to read!
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Lisa Ceballo
As a seasoned speech-language pathologist with a decade of experience, Lisa has had the privilege of working in diverse settings such as public schools, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. Her work has allowed her to service a wide range of individuals, from school-aged children to adults and the geriatric population, each with their unique communication needs. Her journey in this field began in 2013 when she completed her B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Psychology at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, New York. This foundation led her to further her studies, and in 2016, she graduated with her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Touro College in Brooklyn, New York. She is licensed to practice speech and language therapy in Florida and California. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a testament to her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and clinical practice. When she is not working, you can find her trying out new restaurants with her husband, spending time with family and friends, reading her Bible, or relaxing at the beach. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** In my practice as a speech-language pathologist, I employ a holistic and evidence-based approach that prioritizes establishing a strong rapport with my clients. I believe that a good quality relationship is essential for effective therapy, creating a safe and supportive environment for open communication. Utilizing multimodal techniques, I adapt my strategies to accommodate various learning styles, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements tailored to each individual's unique needs. This dynamic methodology not only enhances engagement but also ensures that each session is productive and enjoyable, promoting meaningful progress in speech and language development. **What A Therapy Session Looks Like With Lisa** During our therapy sessions, I create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages strong rapport building and a positive clinician-client relationship. We typically begin with a brief check-in to celebrate successes and discuss any challenges, reinforcing a supportive environment. Each session is filled with interactive activities designed to enhance communication skills. For example, role-playing, incorporating music or songs, using sensory materials, taking part in art tasks, playing interactive games, and utilizing technology. I like to focus on practicing important life skills, such as cooking, gardening, making doctor’s appointments, and managing medications. All activities are tailored to the client’s interests and aimed at fostering specific language skills. To ensure each client receives the best support, I incorporate modifications and prompts based on their unique needs. I use a variety of evidence-based techniques to target specific goals while keeping the experience enjoyable and engaging. As we progress, I provide real-time feedback and encouragement, helping clients explore their potential and build their confidence in communication. Together, we’ll explore your communication skills in a way that feels natural and enjoyable, working hand-in-hand to boost your language skills and let your true potential shine! **Fun Facts About Lisa** - My husband and I love exploring new restaurants and tasting a variety of cuisines. - Cooking and hosting family gatherings is one of my favorite hobbies. - I enjoy reading and journaling with scripture to deepen my faith. - I run a faith-based practice, aligning my work with my values. - Running is a passion of mine! I was involved in track during high school and have completed both a marathon, half marathon, and other 5K and 10K races. - I love hiking and being outdoors. - I’ve been to 30+ different Caribbean islands, soaking in the beauty and culture of each one! - I prioritize working out to keep myself active and healthy.

FAQs About Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

Take the First Step Toward Your Authentic Voice

Gender affirming voice therapy provides the potential to help individuals express their true selves with confidence.