When asking new clients about their initial goals for gender-affirming voice work, the number one response we receive is, “I just want to sound like a cisgender [man/woman].” While this is an understandable and valid initial goal, we find that there are vast differences in what these new clients mean; at this early stage, they …
Read more 3 Assumptions in the Goal “I Want to Sound Cis” (and How to Reframe Them)
In order to breathe easily and produce voice with the least amount of effort, one needs to establish a foundation of healthy habits to promote vocal hygiene. At Prismatic Speech Services, both transgender vocal training and rehabilitative voice therapy clients begin with learning the basics of proper vocal hygiene. Oftentimes, underlying vocal hygiene issues can …
Pitch refers to the relative "highness" or "lowness" of a sound based on the rate of its vibrations. In this blog post, we examine the underlying mechanisms and physics that help us produce pitch. Previously, we explored how breathing works and how exhaling provides the fuel for voicing. As discussed in that post, on an …
This article is a sampling of definitions which are informed by my experiences and viewpoint. I have spoken to many at length about these subjects to broaden my understanding, and I hope to offer a culturally informed and competent analysis of the terms. That being said, I am not immune to bias and, like everything …
Hello! This is the first in a series of posts that take a deeper dive into the science of voice production. These in-depth articles are not necessary for engaging in our services; they are provided for those who are curious about the underlying mechanics. So don't hesitate to get outta here if it gets too …
The term 'speech-language pathology' is an unwieldy one. When I introduce myself as a speech-language pathologist, very few people in the general public have even heard of the profession. This is hardly their fault; speech-language pathologists use a variety of different titles and job descriptions when referring to themselves. Speech teacher; speech therapist; speech teacher; …
Hello! My name is Kevin Dorman (they/them/their) and I’m the owner and sole practitioner of Prismatic Speech Services. I am a state licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). As a practitioner, I specialize in transgender vocal training and rehabilitative …