VoiceFit to Practise

What's on offer?

VoiceFit to Practise is an online training course for speech therapists who want to develop or enhance their voice therapy knowledge and skills and their confidence in applying these to a voice caseload. It is appropriate for therapists who are new to voice or looking to specialise. This is designed for SLTs working with an adult voice caseload. The course is set out in six modules which cover the whole therapy process. It teaches about voice physiology, laryngeal pathologies and diagnostics, the autonomic nervous system and the impact of stress on voice, assessment of the voice and the person, case management planning, treatment of voice disorders, psychological techniques in voice therapy, supporting people to make change and the discharge process. It also includes a competency framework, complete reference list, direct voice therapy techniques videos, access to a delegate Facebook support group and two 1:1 supervision sessions.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome and Introduction

  • 2

    Competency Framework

    • Developing Voice Knowledge and Skills Competencies (V.2 updated 2023)
  • 3

    Module 1 - Vocal Anatomy, physiology and pathologies

    • Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Vocal anatomy and physiology presentation 2023 - 45 mins

    • Vocal anatomy and physiology presentation slides

    • Vocal Anatomy quiz

    • ENT and diagnostic pathways presentation 2023 - 30 mins

    • ENT and diagnostic pathways presentation slides

    • Vocal pathologies and diagnostics presentation 2023 - 2hrs

    • Vocal pathology and diagnostic presentation slides

    • Muscle Tension Dysphonia Learning Resource

    • Structural Laryngeal Pathologies Learning Resource

    • Neuromuscular Laryngeal Disorders Learning Resource

    • Inflammatory Laryngeal Conditions Learning Resource

    • Psychogenic Voice Disorders Learning Resource

    • Laryngeal Pathology and Diagnostics Quiz

    • ENT treatments and interventions guide - 2023

    • The autonomic nervous system and its impact on voice presentation - 40 mins

    • The autonomic nervous system and its impact on voice - presentation slides

    • Mindfulness and Meditation Resources
  • 4

    Module 2 - Assessing the voice and the person

    • Assessing the symptoms, the person and taking a history presentation - 40 mins

    • Assessing the symptoms, the person and taking a history - Presentation slides 2023

    • Case history format and prompt questions

    • Perceptual Voice Assessment Presentation - 40 mins

    • Perceptual Voice Assessment Presentation Slides 2023

    • GRBAS Scoring Guidance

    • Voice Recording 1

    • Voice Recording 2

    • Voice Recording 3

    • Voice Recording 4

    • Voice Recording 5

    • Voice Recording 6

    • Voice Recording 7

    • Voice Recording 8

    • GRBAS scores for voice recordings

    • Acoustic Analysis and Aerodynamics of Voice 2023

    • Additional Assessments for the Voice Patient 2023

    • Considerations for Working with Performers - with Lydia Flock - 15 mins

    • Further learning tasks
  • 5

    Module 3 - Voice case management planning

    • Introduction

    • Voice case management planning presentation - 1hr

    • Voice case management planning - Presentation Slides 2023

    • Voice Case Management - Prioritisation Task

    • Case management Further learning tasks - 2023
  • 6

    Module 4 - Education , support and advice

    • Educating about how the voice works

    • Part 1 - Education, advice and wellbeing presentation - 60 mins

    • Part 2 - Education, advice and well-being presentation - 60 mins

    • Indirect therapy - education, voice and upper airway advice - Presentation slides 2023

    • Gaviscon Advance Factfile

    • Recommending Singing Lessons, with Lydia Flock

    • Using psychological techniques in voice therapy - 1hr 15 mins

    • Using psychological techniques in voice therapy - presentation slides 2023
  • 7

    Module 5 - Voice Therapy Techniques and Beyond

    • Breath and Body presentation - 1hr 15 mins

    • Breathing and Relaxation Resources

    • Breath and Body presentation slides - 2023

    • Part 1 - Voice therapy exercises presentation - 1hr 15mins

    • Part 2 - Voice therapy exercises presentation - 30mins

    • Voice therapy exercises - presentation slides 2023

    • Selecting the appropriate therapy technique

    • Voice exercise demonstrations and videos

    • VoiceFit voice exercise instruction sheets 2023

    • Treatment Case Studies & Learning Tasks 2023

    • From assessment to treatment - a case example - 2023
  • 8

    Module 6 - Therapy challenges and discharge

    • Supporting people through treatment and change presentation - 1hr 15mins

    • Supporting people in treatment and change - Presentation Slides 2023

    • When is a patient ready for discharge?

    • Case presentation - 2023
  • 9

    The evidence base and bonus content

    • The evidence base - voice research reference guide - Updated November 2023

    • Voice skills CPD planning

    • Contributor Video - Lydia Hart & Stephen King 'Help, Ive got a voice problem'

    • Contributor Video - Kristie Knickerbocker from ATEMPO Voice Centre

    • Contributor Video - Lydia Flock

    • Contributor Video - Joshua Alamu - Vocal Tubes®

    • Course Completion Certificate
  • 10

    Goodbye and Good luck

    • A goodbye and thank you note

Pricing

FAQ

  • How long will the course take?

    The course can be completed all in one go over a few days. However, i would encourage therapists to dip in and out of it, especially if working alongside a caseload. You have access to the course materials for six months from the date of purchase. Many of the documents and resources are also downloadable to keep.

  • I don't have a current voice caseload, is this course suitable for me?

    Yes it is. Although it is useful to have a voice clinical caseload to build experience alongside studying this course it is not essential. The course provides both theoretical training, skills training and practical tasks. So if you have an interest in developing your voice skills at any stage of your career, this course is for you!

  • I am a speech therapy student with an interest in voice, is this course suitable for me?

    I would advise that you wait until you have graduated before enrolling on this course and view this course as part of your continuing professional development.

  • I am a speech therapy assistant working with a voice team. Is this course suitable for me?

    Yes, absolutely. SLTAs have completed this course to enhance their voice knowledge and skills to help them support the people they are working with. It would be very important in this instance to have a clinical voice specialist in your workplace supporting your voice development.

  • How do i ask questions?

    You can contact Tor Spence at any point whilst studying the course to ask questions by emailing [email protected]. You are encouraged to join the Facebook group VoiceFit to Practise, a closed group for those enrolled on the course to ask questions of Tor and other course delegates.

  • Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

    No refunds are offered once the course has been purchased. If your situation changes and you need longer than 6 months to complete the course please contact Tor to discuss this.

Instructor(s)

Speech and Language Therapist

Tor Spence

Tor is a UK based speech and language therapist specialised in voice and upper airway. She worked in the National Health Service for 16 years before founding VoiceFit, her private practice. She works with adults and children with voice disorders and other upper airway and laryngeal symptoms. She is involved in teaching and supervising therapists and students. She focuses much of her work on the support and training of developing voice and upper airway therapists and has a passion for helping therapists improve their skills and confidence when working with patients. She is also a mum and loves cooking and her Labrador dogs.