Toronto Adult Speech Clinic
100-272 Richmond St. E M5A 1P4 Toronto, ON, Canada

Take a memo! You can’t care for your voice without caring for your mind and body as well. By working towards managing stress, sleeping well, and staying hydrated in the best way you can- your voice won’t be the only one thanking you and lasting through those busy days of meetings.... You can’t do it all. You have to start small. What will you do to give back to your voice this week? take more sips of water breathe during silent moments and when thinking unclench your jaw get more than 6.5 hours of sleep per night take periodic vocal naps warm up and cool down the voice at the start end of busy talking times full body stretching and mobility for 5-10 minutes free writing for 10 minutes to decompress at the end of the day more nasal inhales steam at the start and/or end of your day What will be your small and measurable goal for your voice? Remember- I always tell my clients: You don’t have to do big things to make a BIG impact. Write it down, check it off each day- your voice, your mental health, and your whole body will thank you. Have an amazing week friends! . . . . . #voice #vocal #vocalist #vocalhealth #wellness #slp #voicetherapy #voicecare #health #wellbeing #change #growth #selfcare #selflove

That’s a wrap! Today marked my final lecture with my amazing SLP students from McGill. Designing an anatomy and physiology course in a way to encourage clinical reasoning and build critical thinking skills has been no easy task. I have worked harder on this course than I have on anything else in my career.... And in all honesty, this has probably been one of the hardest professional challenges I’ve faced- and in 2020, no less! Many people along the way asked me why I was putting so much effort into avoiding labels and multiple choice in favour of long answer and clinical-based assessment. Why I wasn’t just walking my students through lecture slides of basic anatomy diagrams and instead reframing information to always answer the clinical relevance question- WHY? My answer was simple- it’s worth it. At the end of the day- we learn nothing from incessant and unnecessary memorization. As professionals we are required to APPLY and GENERATE knowledge- not regurgitate it. I am passionate about this educational perspective- especially when it comes to clinical graduate programs like Speech-Language Pathology. I want to inspire a stronger and more well-rounded group of clinicians that serve their clients with responsible and competent understanding- rather than textbook and therapy book dependency. If you train this style of reasoning in the moments of learning and consolidation, that learning and consolidation will include a comfort with understanding applications of our knowledge beyond being able to answer a question on Jeopardy. I hope that my students enter into the next phase of their educational and professional lives with confidence in themselves. Anyone can read facts. Anyone can google assessment and treatment options. Only a boss-ass clinician can reach out to their clients and patients with the confidence that they not only know- but they understand. Here’s to continuing to strive towards excellence and spreading the passion and pride I feel to be a speech-language pathologist. Now more than ever. . . . . . #slp #passion #education #learning #shift #perspective #career #professional #university #lecture #competence #understanding #change

Sensation is the key to success! In voice therapy and stuttering therapy with my adult clients, my focus is always on the sensation created by exercises- rather than the exercises themselves. Why?... Because being more aware of your instrument as a system empowers you to feel more in control. Feeling more in control means you are more confident and less anxious in communication situations. So, the factors that influence voice quality or fluency of speech like breathing and tension become controllable factors rather than random variables. Teaching techniques out of a textbook is cute and admittedly simple, but that textbook wasn’t written for the individual sitting in front of you- so they are less likely to integrate a strategy simply because research says it works- if they don’t first feel and understand why it works. The result of this newfound awareness? A client who feels confident that they can navigate challenges as they arise more independently, rather than feeling they must be chronically relying on their speech therapist. . . . . . #self #selfawareness #perspective #thursdaythoughts #growth #change #paradigm #therapy #goals #independence #voice #stuttering #confidence #aware #slp #speechtherapy #speech #voice #communication

Intention Matters. What we say is never as important as WHY we are saying it. There are a million ways to say the same thing, but successful communication depends on understanding the purpose for your communication- what are you hoping to achieve?... Are you simply stating your opinion so that you feel heard? Are you offering feedback to incite change? Are you offering your perspective in hopes of changing minds? And how will you judge if you’ve been successful? Next time you want to communicate an opinion or an idea, make sure you lead with your intention. Let your end goal for the outcome of the conversation be top of mind, so you can be sure you are choosing the right language and tone of voice to achieve that goal. I always say, Intentional communication leads to intended outcomes. . . . . . #communication #tips #intention #bestself #slp #goals #outcome #consideration #leadership #management #professional #quotes #motivation #inspiration #idea #voice #speech #language #authentic See more

Your daily reminder... #breathe (Today’s sticky note on the side of my computer for all my virtual appointments.) ... I am always reminding my clients how important breathing can be for every aspect of our mental health and communication. From voice quality to stuttering and from presentation anxiety to assertive communication. When we think or we listen, we tend to hold our breath. This can create irregular breathing habits and cause us to feel more anxious when we actually have to use our breath for something like communicating in high-pressure or emotional situations. You can overcome any challenge you face. But it all starts with a breath. Never forget. And leave yourself reminders. You may be surprised just how much you needed it. Now... breathe! (How many times did you hold your breath while reading this post? Did you feel like you had to gasp for that breath a bit?) Try going back and reading it, keeping a steady cycle of breath in through the nose and out through the mouth- right to the end. Not easy. But how do you feel now? That simple exercise of reading in your head and maintaining a breath cycle without any breath holding- can be a great way to stay aware of your breath and start your busy day off strong! Happy breathing friends! See more

Your daily reminder... #breathe (Today’s sticky note on the side of my computer for all my virtual appointments.) ... I am always reminding my clients how important breathing can be for every aspect of our mental health and communication. From voice quality to stuttering and from presentation anxiety to assertive communication. When we think or we listen, we tend to hold our breath. This can create irregular breathing habits and cause us to feel more anxious when we actually have to use our breath for something like communicating in high-pressure or emotional situations. You can overcome any challenge you face. But it all starts with a breath. Never forget. And leave yourself reminders. You may be surprised just how much you needed it. Now... breathe! (How many times did you hold your breath while reading this post? Did you feel like you had to gasp for that breath a bit?) Try going back and reading it, keeping a steady cycle of breath in through the nose and out through the mouth- right to the end. Not easy. But how do you feel now? That simple exercise of reading in your head and maintaining a breath cycle without any breath holding- can be a great way to stay aware of your breath and start your busy day off strong! Happy breathing friends! See more

Authentic expression is not a luxury granted to someone by society, it is a right. I have seen many people struggle to change their communication based on feeling like their authentic Self was disruptive to the comfort of others. And in some cases- they were even told as much. I purposefully designed my practice to be a safe space for folx who are anywhere on the gender spectrum (cis, trans, non-binary,) to learn the tools they need to express their most authentic Self.... It is not just about having them speak their truth, it is about amplifying it. If we have learned anything over the last year, it is that voices that have been silenced need to be heard louder over the noise of what is considered to be normal according to white cis-gender constructs. We must create spaces for individuals to feel safe to express themselves authentically. That is our responsibility; our burden to bear- not theirs. Through advocacy and communication training, that is what Toronto Adult Speech Clinic is designed to help do- but we are not alone. I sat down recently with my friend Chris Fischer, who has written an open letter to introduce you to the space they are carving out for individuals on the gender spectrum called Vocal Validation. You can find it on my blog here: https://torontoadultspeechclinic.com//9/29/vocal-validation

Progress looks like:

Authentic expression is not a luxury granted to someone by society, it is a right. I have seen many people struggle to change their communication based on feeling like their authentic Self was disruptive to the comfort of others. And in some cases- they were even told as much. I purposefully designed my practice to be a safe space for folx who are anywhere on the gender spectrum (cis, trans, non-binary,) to learn the tools they need to express their most authentic Self.... It is not just about having them speak their truth, it is about amplifying it. If we have learned anything over the last year, it is that voices that have been silenced need to be heard louder over the noise of what is considered to be normal according to white cis-gender constructs. We must create spaces for individuals to feel safe to express themselves authentically. That is our responsibility; our burden to bear- not theirs. Through advocacy and communication training, that is what Toronto Adult Speech Clinic is designed to help do- but we are not alone. I sat down recently with my friend Chris Fischer, who has written an open letter to introduce you to the space they are carving out for individuals on the gender spectrum called Vocal Validation. You can find it on my blog here: https://torontoadultspeechclinic.com//9/29/vocal-validation

If you liked our infographics for helping teachers protect their voices, you’ll love this! The latest blog post is a more detailed discussion of considerations for teachers and keeping their voices safe and healthy. (Link below) We have also included the infographic available to download at the bottom of the post.... If you or someone you know is having difficulties with their back-to-school voice, please share. We are still accepting new clients this fall for one-on-one voice therapy and training as well. Have a question? Reach out! https://torontoadultspeechclinic.com//masked-teacher-matte

I hear you. When it comes to voice care, teachers have never had it easy. With an emotionally, mentally, and vocally demanding job- teachers are actually one of the professions that are most susceptible to voice issues and fatigue.... Here is some information and tips for taking care of your voice so that it’s there when and how you need it. Every day. Huge thank you to all the teachers out there! Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have any questions. Happy healthy voicing all!

I hear you. When it comes to voice care, teachers have never had it easy. With an emotionally, mentally, and vocally demanding job- teachers are actually one of the professions that are most susceptible to voice issues and fatigue.... Here is some information and tips for taking care of your voice so that it’s there when and how you need it. Every day. Huge thank you to all the teachers out there! Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have any questions. Happy healthy voicing all!

You have the power. Communication can be a weapon or it can be a force for good in this world. How will you use your power?... #worldsuicidepreventionday #communication #matters #reminder

Check out this interview with the newest member of the SLP team at Toronto Adult Speech Clinic, Eytan Barak. Click below!

Unhealthy projection leads to poor inflection Ever wonder why your voice sounds like you’re shouting when you try to get louder or project your voice? We have all been in a restaurant or fitness class where someone sounds like they are shouting or angry rather than just sounding comfortably loud.... That’s because they are using pressure and tension to create more volume rather than the body’s natural ability to amplify the voice. This limits their ability to inflect, which leaves the voice sounding more monotone and less natural. To inflect, we have to be able to change pitch. When we inflect up (like at the end of a sentence where we are asking a question), and our pitch gets higher- our vocal folds tighten. When we are making a more declamatory statement, we often inflect down at the end of a sentence, and our pitch gets lower- our vocal folds loosen. And of course, throughout a sentence we might inflect to stress a particular syllable or word to take our listeners on a journey. When you tense the vocal folds to get louder, they become rigid. Yes- they create more volume, but they can’t be as flexible and change pitch as easily. This limits your ability to inflect. The result? The voice sounds higher in pitch, more strident or strained, and more monotone. If when you try and get louder your voice has these qualities, chances are you aren’t projecting in a healthy way. So... You could be communicating your message in an inauthentic way or even causing damage to your vocal folds. Stay vocally vigilant friends! See more

Very excited to see this opportunity available to people looking to explore gender spectrum singing voice lessons. Chris is a friend of mine and I trust them and their experience as a singer and voice teacher. More info below!

It’s time to unlock and unleash your potential! People are often surprised when I tell them that adults can learn to develop and master the many areas of their communication. Many of us take our communication for granted-and yet- we use our communication every day! Probably more than any other skill-but we often train it the least!... The best person to help? A speech-language pathologist like you find at Toronto Adult Speech Clinic. Toronto Adult Speech Clinic is more than a clinic- it is a safe and inclusive place to explore the power of your communication and discover what you are truly capable of when you stop taking it for granted. Our registered speech-language pathologists are trained in all areas of speech, voice, and communication- meaning they can help with a wide range of communication goals! Here are 10 things you maybe never knew a speech pathologist could help with: 1Voice Projection and Quality 2Small Talk and Networking 3Mumbling 4Managing a Team 5Communicating in Conflict 6Interviewing and Negotiating Skills 7Communicating Clearly and Concisely 8Presentation Skills 9Accent Modification and Enunciation Training Assertiveness Training ...And so much more! If it’s part of how you communicate, it can be worked on with us. Are you ready to take your communication to the next level? Toronto Adult Speech Clinic will make a plan that’s tailor-fit to suit your goals. Find out more by visiting https://torontoadultspeechclinic.com/professional-communica See you soon!

Like coming home. Even though our in-person sessions haven’t resumed yet, I dropped in to check on the clinic space. It’s hard to believe it’s been over 5 months since closing the doors.... I feel blessed to be able to continue seeing clients online through virtual care, although I do miss seeing everyone #irl. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my business through this transition. We continue to grow. To become stronger. And to provide the high quality of speech, voice, and communication training that we have become known for here in Toronto. Find out more about our services by visiting torontoadultspeechclinic.com. See you soon!

Ok...so I’m a little bit embarrassed. As a voice therapist, I’m basically a broken record about the importance of hydration- not just on vocal health, but on whole-body wellness. It’s been a busy couple weeks, to say the least. A lot of big changes, and the other day was the first time since I can remember I’ve felt vocal fatigue from a day of using my voice.... The culprit? You guessed it. Hydration. Not only was I fueling my productivity with every ounce of coffee in my pantry, but I was forgetting to steam or turn on my humidifier when I sleep. My voice was unhappy and it was letting me know. I ended up setting little reminders in my calendar on busy days that would pop up and just say Your hydration’s in danger girl, or Next stop: Hydration Station. It really drives home the principles of practice what you preach, but also- life happens. It’s ok to make mistakes, to experience vocal fatigue, or to...forget to drink water (...Jordan...smh ). Having the knowledge and skill to shift and steer your voice back on course is really your greatest superpower. How do you make sure you’re staying hydrated? Check out some of my earlier posts to find out a few of my favourite hydration hacks. Happy Hydrating, friends!

The world has changed. Have you? I was thinking about this question the other day as I was working with a client. How much have we all changed in response to all of the changes around us? My client made a comment about the fact that we have spent a lot of time reflecting on the changes around us- how they impact us- how they have changed our day-to-day lives. ... Yet, have we taken the time to consider how our own personal growth has been affected by these changes? Have we considered the opportunity for us to not just grow to compensate for these changes- but truly learn from them and rise above them? I thought it was an interesting concept to reflect on. September is a time for many changes- what are you doing to not just survive, but thrive? In my (admittedly biased) experience, communication is so dynamic that it can always be an area for both personal and professional development. If this is a way you think you could level-up this September, check out the training we offer at Toronto Adult Speech Clinic. Link in bio. Have a great rest of your week! #growth #change #professional #slp #goals #plan #itstime #thrive #develop #skills #training #levelup