Why I Believe Speech Pathologists Should Train Their Own Voice

Over the past few years, one idea has become impossible for me to ignore:

Speech pathologists need structured training in their own voice.

Because alongside our clinical training, there is so much value in developing skills that help us:

• use our voices efficiently and sustainably

• model vocal tasks with clarity and accuracy

• sharpen auditory–perceptual listening

• regulate our presence and communication

• protect our vocal health across long clinical days

  
  

This idea has been quietly forming for a while and I want to share how it developed, why it matters, and why I believe it deserves a place in our profession.

Where the idea really began

During my final university placement, I worked alongside thoughtful, skilled and compassionate clinicians. Throughout the placement, a theme kept resurfacing -

"I can hear something is happening.... but I don't know how to describe it"

"I'm not sure I know how to demonstrate the target sound"

"I wish I felt more confident working with voice clients"

Those conversations stayed with me alongside the requirement to complete a voice related project for the placement. So I went looking for answers and decided to explore this idea as my project.

I started reading into the research around clinician voice, modelling and vocal health, and I kept seeing the same theme come through: When clinicians intentionally train their own voices, listening, modelling treatment consistency, confidence and vocal sustainability all improve.

Where Estill Voice Training fit in

Alongside speech pathology, I’ve spent years studying Estill Voice Training.

With supervision, and always within scope, I began gently weaving voice-awareness ideas into learning conversations — not as therapy content, but as professional skills for clinicians.

We explored things like:

• noticing unnecessary tension

• experimenting with resonance changes on purpose

• using gentle semi-occluded vocal tract exercises

• noticing how vibration, airflow and pitch feel in the body

• playing with the difference between effort and ease

And I noticed something powerful. Small shifts began to appear. Listening sharpened. Modelling became clearer. Instructions became simpler.

And it also highlighted something important: As speech pathologists, we talk so much about motor learning - but many of us have never really experienced firsthand what it feels like from the inside.

Training our own voices using voice-training approaches that follow principles of motor learning, such as Estill Voice Training, gives us first-hand experience of:

• shaping movement patterns

• noticing sensory feedback

• repeating, refining and adjusting

• gradually building automaticity

• the dedication required to practise and refine new motor tasks

  
  

And that understanding doesn’t just support voice work, it strengthens how we apply principles of motor learning across all areas of speech pathology. It aligns beautifully with emerging research suggesting that embodied awareness can support perceptual accuracy, technical listening and overall clinical delivery.

Our voice is part of our clinical toolkit

This experience helped me further realise that as a clinician, my voice is a part of my clinical toolkit.

And like any tool, it benefits from:

• awareness

• conditioning

• intentional use

• maintenance

  
  

This work is not about:

✖️ singing lessons

✖️ performance coaching

✖️ replacing voice therapy education

Instead, it supports clinicians to:

✔️ regulate presence and nervous system through voice

✔️ demonstrate targets safely and accurately

✔️ give clearer auditory and kinaesthetic models

✔️ reduce fatigue over busy clinical days

✔️ communicate warmth and authority with ease

Because the more awareness and control we have over our own voice, the more grounded, confident and effective our therapy becomes.

What the research says — in simple terms

Across different areas of research - voice therapy, occupational voice use and clinician training - the same ideas keep appearing:

Training our own voice can help us:

• hear subtle vocal changes more clearly

• model targets with greater accuracy

• support treatment consistency

• reduce effort and strain

• feel more confident using our voice professionally

For me, that confirmed that this isn’t just “interesting”, it’s genuinely useful and relevant.

What this evolved into: Voice Training for Clinicians

All of this gradually shaped a professional development pathway designed to help speech pathologists:

• build a sustainable, efficient clinical voice

• strengthen auditory–perceptual accuracy

• model with clarity and technical precision

• communicate with grounded presence

• protect vocal wellbeing

And just to be clear:

👉 This is not a substitute for learning how to assess or treat voice disorders

👉 It exists alongside that training supporting the clinician’s own voice, presence and technical awareness.

Who this kind of work can support

This pathway can be especially helpful for:

• early-career SP's wanting more confidence with voice work

• clinicians who feel vocally tired by the end of the day

• therapists who struggle to model targets clearly

• experienced clinicians curious about working with their own voice more intentionally

• anyone wanting to feel calmer, clearer and more grounded when speaking

  
  
  
  

Why I’m sharing this now

I believe clinician voice training will continue to grow as an important area of professional development — and I want to be part of shaping it thoughtfully, ethically and with care.

Because ultimately: The way we help others find their voice begins with learning how to use our own.

If this resonates, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. I’m continuing to develop workshops and resources in this space and if you’d like to stay updated, keep an eye on future announcements or reach out.

And maybe pause for a moment to reflect: As a clinician, how connected do you feel to your own voice right now and what might change if you trained it intentionally?

Tania