Understanding Voice Disorders
Dysphonia means voice disorder. Your voice might sound hoarse, rough, breathy, strained, or weak. It can affect volume and clarity. Causes include vocal overuse, infections, inflammation, neurological conditions, or structural problems like nodules.
If you've been hoarse for more than two weeks, see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist for diagnosis. Voice disorders are common, especially among teachers, singers, and call centre workers who use their voices heavily.
Voice therapy with a speech therapist is usually the first treatment. It's often very effective.
Evidence-Based Treatment
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Techniques That Actually Work
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Built Around Your Work
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Habits That Prevent Future Strain
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Breath Support Training
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15 Years Hospital Experience
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Track Your Progress
Our Voice Therapy Approach
Sacha uses techniques proven in clinical research: Resonant Voice Therapy for muscle tension, Vocal Function Exercises for strengthening, and Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract exercises for balanced voice production. Each technique matches your specific voice challenge.
Treatment starts with a 75-minute assessment. Sacha evaluates your vocal history, current voice quality, breathing patterns, and work demands. She identifies what's causing your strain and which approaches will help most.
Your treatment plan combines direct therapy (specific exercises) with indirect approaches (voice care habits, lifestyle adjustments). This balance addresses all the factors affecting your voice.
Sessions focus on active practice. You'll learn exercises during appointments and practice daily at home. Consistency matters for vocal recovery. Telehealth patients often progress faster because they practice in their real speaking environment.
Timeline varies, but most people improve within 4-8 sessions. Some with muscle tension dysphonia see real change in just 2-3 sessions. Sacha sets realistic expectations during your initial assessment.
The goal is sustainable technique, not a quick fix. You'll learn to use your voice efficiently and protect it from future strain.
Who Benefits from Voice Therapy?
Teachers are our largest patient group. You experience voice disorders at twice the rate of other professions due to sustained loud speaking and limited rest. Primary teachers, secondary educators, and lecturers often report fatigue, hoarseness by end of day, or difficulty projecting.
Other professional voice users include performers needing vocal stamina, call centre workers with phone strain, lawyers requiring clear courtroom delivery, salespeople who present regularly, clergy delivering sermons, and healthcare staff communicating in noisy hospitals.
Medical voice conditions we treat include hoarseness persisting after respiratory infections, voice irritation from reflux (GERD), neurological conditions like Parkinson's, post-stroke voice changes, and unexplained hoarseness or voice breaks.
If your voice matters for work, relationships, or daily life, voice therapy can help. We see patients across New Zealand via telehealth, plus in-person in Wellington.
Your Recovery Journey
Evidence-based therapy supporting ongoing recovery
Book Online
Choose a time that works for you. Same-week appointments usually available
75-Minute Assessment
Sacha evaluates your vocal history, voice quality, breathing patterns, and professional demands
Your Treatment Plan
Clear goals, specific exercises, and realistic timeline. You'll know exactly what to practice
Weekly Sessions
Practice techniques with Sacha, then daily exercises at home. Consistency drives results
Voice Recovery
Most people improve within 4-8 sessions. Some see changes in just 2-3 weeks
Transparent, Fair Pricing
Choose the option that works best for you
Wellington Clinic
In-person appointments at our Newtown clinic
Telehealth
Secure video sessions from your home
Package discounts available: Save with our 6-session therapy packages. Contact us for details
Payment accepted via credit/debit card, EFTPOS, or direct bank transfer. Invoices provided for insurance claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Voice disorders cause your voice to sound raspy, strained, breathy, or unpredictable in pitch. Common conditions include vocal nodules, polyps, and muscle tension dysphonia (voice strain from tension). If you've been hoarse for more than three weeks, or you regularly lose your voice at work, get an assessment.
Teachers are twice as likely to develop voice problems due to talking loudly all day. Other high-risk groups include call centre workers, lawyers, performers, lecturers, salespeople, and clergy. But anyone can develop voice issues from illness, reflux, strain, or neurological conditions.
Voice therapy is the first-line treatment for most voice disorders. Sacha teaches breathing support, resonant voice techniques, and healthy voice habits. Research shows most people recover with therapy alone, without surgery. You'll learn techniques you can use for life.
Resonant Voice Therapy, Vocal Function Exercises, Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract exercises, breathing retraining, and relaxation techniques. Sacha selects techniques based on your specific voice challenge and work demands. All approaches are backed by clinical research.
Most people improve within 4-8 sessions over several weeks. Some see changes faster. Even short therapy programs work well when combined with daily home practice. Timeline depends on severity and how consistently you practice.
Yes. Telehealth voice therapy works as well as in-person. You can practice in your natural environment, which often speeds up progress. Many professional voice users prefer telehealth because it fits around work schedules.
Most voice disorders respond to therapy alone. Even vocal nodules and polyps often heal without surgery. Therapy is recommended as first-line treatment. If you do need surgical consultation, Sacha works closely with ENT specialists.
Initial assessment (75 min): $207 in-person, $167 telehealth. Follow-up sessions (45 min): $157 in-person, $127 telehealth. Most people need 4-8 sessions. We provide invoices for insurance claims.
Your story matters.
Communication is complex and deeply personal. Specialist speech therapy helps you achieve your goals.