Voice coaching or voice therapy: what’s the difference?
Voice therapy, voice training, speech training, voice coaching. The terms sound similar but mean different things. Here’s what’s behind each approach and which one suits you.
BY FRANZISKA · VOICE THERAPIST AND FOUNDER OF VOICE ALCHEMY
- What’s the difference between voice therapy and voice coaching?
- Do I need voice therapy or coaching?
- What can voice coaching do for female entrepreneurs?
- How does a voice therapist work?
The short answer: classic voice therapy deals with voice disorders, meaning complaints such as persistent hoarseness, a voice that tires quickly or pain when speaking. It usually takes place after a medical check-up. Voice coaching works with a healthy voice and asks: how do you come across, how do you express yourself, and what holds your voice back in important moments?
Voice therapy: when your voice causes problems
Classic voice therapy is about making an unwell or overstrained voice healthy and resilient again. Typical topics are breathing, posture, vocal technique and a gentle way of using your voice, for example for people who speak a lot for work.
If your voice is hoarse, painful or keeps giving out over a longer period, that’s always the first step: have it checked by a doctor.
Voice and speech training: when it’s about technique
Voice and speech training work on volume, pace, emphasis, articulation and impact. That’s helpful if, for example, you give talks and want to be understood more clearly.
What technique alone often doesn’t reach: the moment when, despite all the exercises, your voice gets small again because you don’t feel safe right now.
Voice coaching: when it’s about expression and presence
In voice coaching we look at how you show up. Why do you get quieter when it matters? Why do you sound different on camera than with your friends? Why do you water down what you say?
A quiet voice isn’t a technique problem. It learned to protect you.
What makes Voice Alchemy different
As a voice therapist, I connect voice work with what many approaches leave out:
- nervous system and body, because a voice only becomes free when the body feels safe
- inner work on the patterns behind your insecurity
- positioning and business, so your voice becomes audible in your content, your selling and your presence
Voice Alchemy is for female entrepreneurs who bring expertise but notice: the way I come across doesn’t yet show who I really am. It is coaching and doesn’t replace medical treatment.
Which one suits you?
Your voice hurts, is constantly hoarse or gives out? Then see a doctor first and, if needed, a voice therapist.
You mainly want to speak more clearly on a technical level? Then speech training may be exactly right.
Your voice is healthy, but it holds you back as soon as you become visible? Then voice coaching is your path. And that’s exactly what Voice Alchemy is for.