What Does a Voice Therapy Session Look Like?
Voice therapy is the perfect place to sort out any voice symptoms you have. But the commonest question we get asked is… What is voice therapy? Here, we’ll break down what a course of therapy looks like.
The Initial Evaluation: Getting to the Root of the Problem
Your first voice therapy session will be an evaluation to figure out what is going on with your voice. This might involve:
Recording your voice to capture how it sounds currently (this helps track progress over time).
Talking about your voice habits (do you yell at sporting events? Spend hours on Zoom?).
Pinpointing physical issues contributing to your voice challenges, such as vocal cord injuries or tension.
From this, we create a plan tailored to your situation and goals, whether you need to recover from an injury, improve vocal endurance, or simply find healthier ways to use your voice.
Therapy Sessions: Warm-Ups and Exercises That Make a Difference
After the evaluation, you’ll begin regular therapy sessions, which usually last between 30 to 45 minutes. They involve hands-on work to help your voice heal and strengthen.
Each session will typically focus on:
Therapeutic warm-ups: These exercises wake up your voice, improve range, and prevent strain. Think of them as stretching for your vocal cords.
Specialized vocal techniques: These could include things like breath control, posture adjustments, or learning how to project your voice efficiently.
Practice and feedback: It’s all about learning the right techniques and practicing them with your therapist's guidance. That way, you know you’re doing things correctly—and not accidentally making things worse!
Why Consistency is Key: The Importance of Continued Therapy
Mastering vocal techniques takes time and practice. The key to success in voice therapy lies in consistency and expert feedback. Even after you feel like you’ve gotten the hang of the exercises, occasional check-ins keep things on track and ensure symptoms (like hoarseness or vocal fatigue) are fully resolved.
Your therapist will adjust exercises as you progress, making sure your therapy evolves with you.
The end goal? A voice that feels natural, strong, and ready to handle whatever life throws at it—whether that’s hours of teaching, back-to-back meetings, or belting out your favorite songs.
When Will I Know I’m “Done” with Voice Therapy?
Recovery is different for everyone. Some people see improvement within a few weeks, while others may need a few months of therapy to feel back to normal. The good news? Your therapist will guide you every step of the way and let you know when your voice is ready to “graduate” from therapy.
Even after therapy ends, many people choose to keep up with their vocal exercises on their own—just like you’d continue exercises and stretches after physical therapy.
Voice therapy isn’t just for professional singers or actors. If you rely on your voice for work, socializing, or expressing yourself, taking care of it should be a priority. Whether you’re struggling with vocal fatigue, recovering from an injury, or simply want to improve your vocal technique, therapy offers the tools you need to feel confident using your voice again.
