Transgender Voice and Communication Training for Voice Clinicians

COURSE OVERVIEW

On site or webinar. This course will orient voice clinicians to the unique needs of the transgender client. It will equip therapists with the necessary skills to guide transgender clients in meeting their overall communication goals. Existing evidence base for working with transgender individuals will be reviewed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe transgender background, identify terminology and understand the evolving nuances of gender spectra

2. Assemble an appropriate team

3. Provide assessment, goal setting and discharge planning for voice and communication therapy

4. Provide treatment of various aspects of transgender voice and communication, including pitch, resonance, articulation, rate, volume, language and non-verbal communication

5. Create unique and creative therapeutic techniques that combine clinical and arts-based paradigms

1.35 ASHA CEUs

Intermediate level, professional area. To receive CEUs, participants must be present or watching online during the time of the workshop.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 8, 2017

7:30 - 8:00, Registration
8:00 - 9:00, Transgender health and experience
9:00 - 9:30, Voice and identity
9:30 - 10:00, Basics of voice training - laying the foundation
10:00 - 10:15, Break
10:15 - 11:15, Assessment, goals, clinician/client contracts and treatment planning
11:15 - 11:45, Pitch training
11:45 - 12:45, Lunch (on your own)
12:45 - 1:45, Resonance training
1:45 - 2:15, Intonation training
2:15 - 2:30, Break
2:30 - 3:30, Speech, language and non-speech vocalization training
3:30 - 4:30, Q & A
4:30 - 5:30, Mixer (location TBD)

Sunday, April 9, 2017

MEALS

Registration fees include mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Lunch is on your own. Many restaurants are within walking distance of the venue.

LODGING

There are many excellent options nearby. Click here for hotels within two miles of Roosevelt University.

MATERIALS

Print resources will be provided. Participants will also have online access to the recording of the event through 5/7/17 for non-CEU viewing.

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation will be sent approximately 14 days prior to the course start date, including final course details. Handouts will be sent in advance of the course and printed receipts will be provided on site.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Course fee will be refunded, less a $50 processing fee, if cancellation is received in writing 30 days or more before course start date. No refunds within 30 days or after course start date. Late cancellations may be applied to an alternate attendee. The organizers are not responsible for any adverse events related to the course such as weather or transportation delays. We reserve the right to cancel the course 21 days prior to the course date with full refund of course fee if registration is insufficient to support the course.

VOLUNTEERING

Four student volunteers are needed to help with the event for a discounted rate. Please contact the organizers if you are interested - tgvoicetraining@gmail.com or 412-365-5924.

ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY AFFILIATES

Roosevelt University affiliates are invited to attend the training for free. Space is limited. If you are a current faculty member, staff member or student of Roosevelt, please email a scanned copy of your Roosevelt ID to the organizers at tgvoicetraining@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Sandy Hirsch, MS, CCC-SLP has been a voice clinician since 1989. Ms. Hirsch has gained an international reputation as a specialist in the area of transgender voice and communication training and co-authored and edited two editions of Adler, R.; Hirsch, S.; Mordaunt, M. (2012, 2006) Voice and Communication Therapy for the Transgender / Transsexual Client: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide. Plural Publishing, San Diego. Ms. Hirsch’s work has been featured in printed media and on television and national radio. She presents annually at the Northwest Transgender Conference, Esprit, and has given presentations at ASHA conventions and internationally. In addition to her private voice practice, Ms. Hirsch has worked in the medical setting since 1989 and began working in the school setting in 2012.

Leah Helou, PhD, CCC-SLP is a voice-specialized clinician and researcher. Dr. Helou has followed her clinical passion for transgender voice and communication training since her early clinical training, and in 2011 she established the Transgender Voice and Communication Program at the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center. Relatedly, her overarching research interests are centered on mind-voice pathways, and how psychological states and traits impact the voice and vocal behaviors. In addition to working clinically, Dr. Helou is a post-doctoral fellow in neuroscience at the Systems Neuroscience Institute, where she investigates the neuroanatomical circuitry underlying volitional control of muscles of breathing, as it pertains to vocalization.

Christie Block, MA, MS, CCC-SLP is a clinical voice pathologist and owner of New York Speech & Voice Lab in New York City. She is a seasoned specialist of voice disorders and transgender voice and communication training. Ms. Block is a contributing writer and active speaker on transgender voice for speech-language pathologists, transhealth providers, and the transgender community. Some include: Trans Bodies Trans Selves, Exercises for Voice Therapy, ASHA, Mt. Sinai Beth Israel, Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, Voice Foundation Symposium, Working Group on Gender, and WPATH.

DISCLOSURES

Ms. Hirsch

Financial: Ms. Hirsch is the owner of Give Voice in Seattle, WA. She is also a salaried clinician in the Bellevue, WA school district. She is co-author of a text on voice and communication disorder therapy for transgender clients: Adler, R.; Hirsch, S.; and Mordaunt, M. (2012, 2006). Voice and Communication Therapy for the Transgender / Transsexual Client: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide. Plural Publishing, San Diego, for which she receives royalties. She receives an honorarium for continuing education courses.

Non-financial: Ms. Hirsch has no non-financial disclosures.

Dr. Helou

Financial: Dr. Helou is the Director of the Transgender Voice and Communication Program at the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center for which she is paid a salary. She receives an honorarium for continuing education courses.

Non-financial: Dr. Helou has no non-financial disclosures.

Ms. Block

Financial: Ms. Block is the owner of New York Speech & Voice Lab. She receives an honorarium for continuing education courses.

Non-financial: Ms. Block receives no compensation for contributing to Trans Bodies Trans Selves and Exercises for Voice Therapy.

CONTACT

tgvoicetraining@gmail.com OR 412-365-5924