Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

Frequently asked questions

What is Gender Affirming Voice Therapy?

Gender affirming voice therapy is a specialised area of speech pathology where we help people align their voice and communication with their gender identity.

There are distinct aspects of the voice that impact the way our gender may be perceived; how high or low it is, the bright or dark quality it has and also the way in which we express and use language.

We can help you discover the different ways you can tailor your voice to decrease dysphoria in an accepting and safe space.

Who will benefit from Gender Affirming Voice Therapy?

Gender Affirming Voice Therapy is typically sought after by transgender and gender diverse individuals who wish to learn how to use and alter their voice to better match their authentic self.

Due to the complexity of surgery and limitations of hormone therapy, the majority of clients who seek therapy are looking to feminise their voice. However, non-binary and transmasculine individuals are equally recommended to engage in this kind of therapy to support their journey.

What do you work on? (e.g., pitch, resonance, communication style, vocal health)

This kind of voice therapy starts with assessment, to gauge the current voice status, flag any potential issues as well as to provide education about vocal anatomy and hygiene.

Then we explore the aspects of voice that attribute to gender. Pitch (how high or low the voice sounds) and Resonance (the acoustic quality of the voice) are the main contributors to how voice may be gendered.

To achieve a more feminine sound, for example, we would slowly work towards comfortably speaking at a higher pitch and on focusing our sound and shaping our mouth to achieve a brighter and lighter tone.

You can then explore things like how we use melody, rhythm and emphasis to express ourselves (intonation) as well as use of gesture, body language and communication style.

The goal of therapy is to provide you with the tools to better understand your voice and how to use it in a safe manner that you can maintain. Ultimately, to learn a new voice technique will take time and practice and the best results will occur when you allow yourself to listen and reflect on the changes you are trying to make.

Delivery options - can it be done face to face or online?

This kind of voice therapy can be done face to face and or online. Telehealth offers the particular benefit of allowing the clients to stay in their safe space while exploring these vocal techniques. However, in person also gives the clinician more ability to monitor voice quality and potential incorrect habits and engage in a more realistic communication experience.

Accessing it - do clients need a GP referral?

No, you do not need a GP referral to access Gender Affirming Voice Therapy services. However, you might be able to claim a Medicare rebate if your GP provides you with a Chronic Disease Management Plan.

It's important to note even with this plan, you are only allocated 5 subsidised services for the calendar year and you may need to split these up among allied health services depending on your individual needs.