In typical springlike weather, the Diamond April group session blew into action. This is my longest established voice group and is named Diamond because of its endurance. I’ve run many other more formatted groups both within the NHS (first in 2002) and in private practice and new groups are currently planned for the future but the diamond group is worth a special mention. Whilst many people pass through the group, attending one or two, a few, or several sessions, there are a few core long standing members who frequently attend. As long as a person continues to benefit from attending, either socially or vocally, they are eligible to attend. I am heartened often by benefits that clients describe after attending group sessions.
One of the most missing elements from the array of services offered to trans individuals is the element of social support to assist with gender transition and gender diversity issues. A voice and Communication group can serve to reduce this missing link, especially one that is well established.
Although the Diamond group was set up primarily as a voice practice group, social skills, interaction and exposure also form part of most groups. As Voice and communication are primarily social functions, a large social component is integral to group sessions.
One of the most missing elements from the array of services offered to trans individuals is the element of social support to assist with gender transition and gender diversity issues. A voice and communication group can serve to reduce this missing link, especially one that is well established. Realistically, social confidence tends to take time to build. Vocal confidence can also take time but it is not uncommon for some individuals to achieve a voice that reflects their gender identity in a relatively short space of time. However, having the confidence to use their voice or to socially interact in their preferred gender may often be an even greater challenge.
It is not uncommon for some individuals to achieve a voice that reflects their gender identity in a relatively short space of time. However, having the confidence to use their voice or to socially interact in their preferred gender may often be an even greater challenge.
Building social and vocal confidence have therefore always been inextricably intertwined in my transgender voice work. Rather than this aspect of my work diminishing as trans issues and visibility comes more to the fore, my social support work continues to grow and evolve alongside the voice therapy and training. Regretfully, levels of social anxiety and low confidence issues continue to rise, especially amongst younger people. Their voice progress is very often held back because of this. Whilst the the social reality remains thus, the need for therapeutic interventions and support will stay crucial . For many, specialist one to one work can be enough; others benefit much further by group sessions after individual lessons. The group is a safe space for people to practice their voice with others and to gain comfort doing so. In this way, voice groups serve as a bridge from individual practice to voicing and communicating comfortably and confidently, in the outside world.
Building social and vocal confidence have therefore always been inextricably intertwined in my transgender voice work. Rather than this aspect of my work diminishing as trans issues and visibility comes more to the fore, my social support work continues to grow and evolve alongside the voice therapy and training.
My recommendation is that clients have the option to attend Voice groups after they have completed the individual session programme or they have had approximately 6 one to one Voice sessions. Group sessions can be in addition to individual sessions or instead of individual sessions depending on the individual’s personal need. Please feel free to discuss the option of group sessions with me.
The group is a safe space for people to practice their voice with others and to gain comfort doing so. In this way, voice groups serve as a bridge from individual practice to voicing and communicating comfortably and confidently, in the outside world.