Gender Affirming voice services

Annachristi Shand-Betts is a California licensed speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience. 

She maintains a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a Master's Degree from California State University, Fullerton in Communication Sciences.  

• I provide a systematic approach to uncovering and developing your "TRUE" new voice.

• Together, we will identify achievable goals and strategies for developing a voice that reflects and aligns with your internal self.

• Though the needs of each client varies, I offer guidance and instruction on the specific elements of voice that must be addressed to achieve a feminine or gender neutral voice. 

"A woman's voice is not simply a higher-pitched version of a man's voice."  (Adler, Hirsch, Mordaunt, 2012)

Voice and Communication Therapy for the Transgender/Transsexual Client: 

A Comprehensive Clinical Guide) 

While raising pitch is essential to achieving a far more feminine sounding voice, other parameters of the voice, and communication, must be addressed holistically.  

TRUE TO YOU Therapy sessions focus on the following modules:

• Pitch
• Resonance 
• Intonation
• Rate of Speech
• Vocal Volume
• Non-verbal sounds, such as coughing or laughing

Other areas of communication that may be addressed include:

• Language and Pragmatics: The social rules and roles of communication.

If you are a transgender, non-binary, or gender nonconforming individual who is transitioning, then the thought of changing the voice that you've known for so many years, may leave you feeling fearful and vulnerable.  Finding your TRUE VOICE will come with patience and practice, but must be developed in a way that is safe and healthy.  My aim is to help you safely explore your vocal potential so that you can communicate with confidence and ease.