Structured speaking frameworks can be very powerful. They give you a roadmap to follow so that your ideas can be expressed in a clear, step-by-step way. In this post, I’ll explain what each of these frameworks looks like, why they’re especially useful for adults with ADHD (or suspected ADHD), and how you can use them in your daily life to build confidence in your communication.
How Frameworks Can Help Organize Your Thoughts Read Post »
When people think about voice therapy, they often imagine exercises that train the voice directly. While that is certainly one approach, voice therapy can also involve working with the body itself to release tension. This can involve improving posture, and directly releasing muscle tension, to create the right conditions for the voice to function more freely.
Two Paths In Voice Therapy: Manual Voice Therapy and Resonance Read Post »
When most people think about their voice, they tend to focus on the sound that comes out of their mouth. They might notice the pitch of their voice, whether it is high or low. They might notice the loudness, whether they are speaking softly or projecting strongly. But there is another important quality of the voice that often goes unnoticed until something feels “off.” This quality is called vocal resonance.
What Is Vocal Resonance? Read Post »
When someone you love is working on their speech, whether it is their voice, fluency, articulation, or any other aspect of communication, it can be hard to know exactly how to help. You may feel unsure about what to say. You might even feel nervous about making things worse. That is totally understandable, since watching someone you care about go through a vulnerable process like speech therapy can bring up questions you did not expect to have.
How To Support A Loved One In Speech Therapy Read Post »
Breathing is something we do without thinking. Most adults take between 12-20 breaths per minute, which translates to over 20,000 times a day. But when we begin to pay attention to how we breathe, we can discover powerful tools for improving our voice and calming our nervous system.
Breath: Its Connection To The Voice & Easing Anxiety Read Post »
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I often work with adults who come in with voice concerns that affect their work, their confidence, and their quality of life. One therapy approach that many people find helpful is called Conversation Training Therapy, or CTT. It’s a newer method that’s gaining attention for being practical, efficient, and very much focused on real life. In this blog post, I would like to walk you through what CTT is, who it is for, how it works. My hope is that by the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how this type of therapy might help you find ease and confidence in your voice again.
A Guide To Conversation Training Therapy Read Post »
Introduction Have you ever said something that someone completely misunderstood? You probably said all the “right” words—but how you said
The Power Of Emphasis: How It Clarifies Your Message Read Post »
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I sometimes work with clients on social communication skills, including the ability to recognize and interpret emotions. One of the most powerful tools we have for understanding how others feel is their facial expressions. The face is a window into emotions, and learning to read it can improve your relationships, communication, and empathy. In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the work of Dr. Paul Ekman, a pioneer in the study of emotions and facial expressions.
Understanding Emotions Through Facial Expressions Read Post »
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I’ve had the privilege of working with many individuals who are navigating the journey of accent modification. Whether you’re learning English as a second language and are new to Canada, refining your pronunciation for professional reasons, or simply wanting to feel more confident in your speech, I want to start by saying this (as I say to all accent clients): No one should ever feel ashamed of their accent (every has one after all, no matter your linguistic background).
Understanding and Mastering English Vowel Sounds Read Post »
This article outlines the anatomy and physiology of the voice, vocal health and how to use your voice effectively to exude confidence and clarity.
Voice: A Tool Or Hindrance? Read Post »
I was an actor for many years (and, in fact, I still am from time to time). This means I have many old friends who are still working in the industry and rely on their voices to make a living.
Essential Vocal Care For Video Game Voice-Over Actors Read Post »
This blog post was inspired by a recent session I had with a client who wanted to spend a session figuring out how to best navigate an upcoming holiday work party they were attending the following week. I realized that many of the tips I used for general networking were easily applicable to the annual holiday party, which in some instances may be the only chance you get to interact with colleagues in a different context and manner.
Navigating Holiday Work Parties: A Guide Read Post »
Understanding consonants is essential to improving speech clarity, especially if you’re working on specific speech goals in therapy. In this blog post, I’ll explain the different types of consonants we produce in English and why knowing about them can help you, whether you’re an adult refining articulation errors, working on an accent or just trying to speak more clearly.
What Kinds Of Speech Sounds Do We Make In English? Understanding Consonants Read Post »
When most people think of speech, they often consider the words we use, the meaning behind them, and how they help us connect with others. However, speech is more than just language; it’s a complex motor activity. Whether a client is looking to work on their fluency, enunciation, voice, accent, or articulation, it is important to remember that how we sound is, at least in part, a result of a motor process and the motor pathways that are activated when we speak.
Finding Your Flow In Speech Therapy: How Everything Works Together Read Post »
When most people think of speech, they often consider the words we use, the meaning behind them, and how they help us connect with others. However, speech is more than just language; it’s a complex motor activity. Whether a client is looking to work on their fluency, enunciation, voice, accent, or articulation, it is important to remember that how we sound is, at least in part, a result of a motor process and the motor pathways that are activated when we speak.
Speech As A Motor Activity Read Post »
The technique of straw phonation has gained considerable attention for its effectiveness and simplicity. This technique is part of a broader category known as Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) exercises. Both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and vocal coaches use the technique to help clients improve resonance and vocal health.
The Power Of Straw Phonation: Exploring SOVT Exercises Read Post »
Stage fright, or performance anxiety, is a common phenomenon experienced by many individuals when speaking or performing in front of an audience. As speech-language pathologists(SLPs) at Well Said, we can play a crucial role in helping individuals overcome anxiety and develop confidence in their communication skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore stage fright from an SLP perspective and discuss strategies to overcome it.
Overcoming Stage Fright: Insights from Speech-Language Pathology Read Post »
We all use our voices as we navigate our day-to-day lives, but some of us use them more than others. I usually refer to these folks as ‘professional voice users’ or ‘heavy voice users’. Just as an elite athlete needs to take care of their muscles, a heavy voice user needs to pay special attention to the care of their voice.
Hydration And Harmony: How Drinking Water Benefits Your Voice Read Post »
One most common fear is public speaking. Learn how speech language pathologists approach this anxiety from a variety of angles to combat this fear, so that clients are able to deliver meaningful and connected presentations.
Combat the Fear of Public Speaking Read Post »
