It takes a village.

Professional references for vocal health and happiness

As a coach I’ve learned that one can never work alone. As much as I’ve learned and will continue to learn, I recognize the importance of working as part of a team to provide my clients with the best possible advice. I’ve become immersed a community of specialists in related fields to whom I often refer my clients. These fields include:

Speach and Language Pathology (SLP)

I refer clients to several Toronto-based SLPs when a voice has been badly damaged or I suspect they have developed acute phonotrauma such as vocal injury from aggressive voice use, hemorrhage or tears in the vocal folds. Though I can – and do – provide exercises and advice to those who’ve suffered vocal damage, it’s very important that they visit a clinical professional who can assess and diagnose the damage.

Ear Nose And Throat (ENT)

Sometimes if physical limitations in the voice are recurring or persistent, I will send clients to an ENT. In some cases more serious and invasive steps need to be taken to ensure vocal health after chronic phonotrauma such as nodules, polyps or cysts. One must be very careful in these cases as vocal fold scarring can sometimes occur after or during chronic phonotrauma. An ENT will have the most professional expertice in this area.

Registered Masage Therapy (RMT)

Vocal health is an all encompassing physical experience. There are important relationships between correct vocal technique and muscle/joint tension. For example; control of the diaphragm and easy movement in the spine or tinnitus related jaw tightness. If a client has persistent jaw tension, limited movement in their spine or limited movement other areas in their core, this will have a negative effect on healthy vocal use. I have relationships with several RMTs who help my students with various needs to improve their vocal technique as well as their overall health. An RMT can identify and treat all sorts of physical issues that affect the voice ranging from near-debilitating muscle tightness to gaining an awareness of the body and overall posture.