THE FACILITATORS
Connie Pike, SLP contracted SD. She was referred to me by a former SD client that I had helped regain her voice. As a result of my Optimal Breathing work, her  insights as a Speech Language Pathologist, and her unbridled faith in God, Connie regained her voice. Connie and I then created The Free to Speak Voice Therapy Clinic for Spasmodic Dysphonia and/or Muscle Tension Dysphonia.  (SD and MTD are both included as there is some disagreement about how to diagnose SD or MTD.) The point is most voices are restored to full function or are at least greatly improved when they attend the clinic. Eventual complete resolution of the problem is our goal.

THE PROGRAM
Voice analysis and rehabilitation will be conducted by a licensed, certified speech and language pathologist. Breathing related vocal quality analysis and rehabilitation will be conducted by the Optimal Breathing Coach. The complete program involves individual therapy, group therapy, on-going assessment and treatment, lectures, and support. Visual and auditory aids and direct work on breathing and voice production will enhance acquisition of the correct mechanics needed to improve the voice. Discussion on psychosocial dynamics which may be contributing to the disorder and strategies for stress management will be provided.

The program involves a minimum of 36 hours of instruction and therapy, materials, and individualized video-taped instruction to facilitate maintained or continued improvement in breathing and voice production. Six hours follow-up support by phone or email is included at no additional charge.

We have made "Overcoming Spasmodic Dysphonia" our goal using this non-drug, holistic approach. We commit to each individual participant the best of what we have to offer to see this accomplished.

VOICE AND BREATHING.
For a person with SD very similar overcompensation mechanisms arrive and simply never leave. Never that is, until the person has been physically worked on and retrained to use the breathing optimally and to integrate pitch production with resonant sound and even more relevant, what resonance feels like. Speaking is a somatic thing. Without a body and breathing we could not speak.  I have observed that preset physical vulnerabilities such as posture, vocal tract compression, trauma or local infection plus stress add up to most of what is diagnosed as SD. The SD cases that I have been presented with is NOT permanent. I have seen that it can and will be improved or eliminated given reasonable effort and/or simple day to day management factors. 

SINGING and SPEAKING
Many believe they can not sing. This is simply not true. I use breathing to support singing as a part of my approach.  The popular music industry is highly competitive, which in itself is stressful, creating tension patterns and habits that readily induce or contribute to a disturbance of the breathing mechanism. Many classical and/or popular singers do not have adequate breathing training, and consequently experience problems such voice fatigue in later years. They think they are getting too old to sing but it is more about the way they breathe and shape their vocal tract. Without adequate and precise control of breathing vital to support the voice, they endeavor to adapt the laryngeal and articulating mechanisms to sustain the performance, inevitably stressing the vocal system. My work has added years to their vocal articulation, strength and range. I offer a self help program for singing and speaking and work with individuals in my Charlotte NC office. 

GROUP WORK OR INDIVIDUAL
The group dynamic of the clinic would be for most the better choice as they can interact with and see others progress and be greatly inspired by that. We can discuss your options and see which may be better for you. As Connie and others can attest I have gotten good results from my breathing development work alone. In either event you need to be strongly motivated to take charge of your voice and life.