Clinical psychology and voice disorders
Tuesday 8th October 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Voice disorders are conditions affecting the production and quality of voice. There is longstanding interest in the interplay between psychological characteristics and voice use, with existing psychological conceptualisations (see recommended reading list below) proposing interactions between cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal, and personality factors and voice symptoms.
What is this short course about?
This presentation aims to provide an overview of research investigating psychological features in voice disorders. It will discuss psychological factors which may be relevant in the development and maintenance of voice disorders. It will introduce psychological principles and considerations which may be useful to understanding and working with voice difficulties.
Who is the short course for?
The presentation might be of interest to anyone working with people who experience voice difficulties or vocal health challenges. It might be of interest to those interested in increasing their familiarity with psychological concepts related to voice use. While based mostly on clinically oriented research and practice, the presentation may be of interest to those working both within and outside clinical contexts.
What is the format?
The presentation will include lecture-style content and case examples. It aims to provide a balance between theory and practical application, including suggestions for the use of psychological skills when working with people experiencing voice difficulties. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion in the final 10 minutes of the presentation.
Recommended reading list (full references to be given in presentation):
Aldridge-Waddon, L., Hiles, C., Spence, V., & Hotton, M. (2023). Clinical Psychology and Voice Disorders: A Meta-Analytic Review of Studies Assessing Psychological Characteristics Across Individuals With and Without Voice Disorders. Journal of Voice.
Baker, J. (2008). The role of psychogenic and psychosocial factors in the development of functional voice disorders. International journal of speech-language pathology, 10(4), 210-230.
Butcher, P., Elias, A., & Cavalli, L. (2007). Understanding and treating psychogenic voice disorder: A CBT framework. John Wiley & Sons.
Gray, H., Coman, L., Walton, C., Thorning, S., Cardell, E., & Weir, K. A. (2021). A comparison of voice and psychotherapeutic treatments for adults with functional voice disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Voice.
Kollbrunner, J., & Seifert, E. (2017). Encouragement to increase the use of psychosocial skills in the diagnosis and therapy of patients with functional dysphonia. Journal of Voice, 31(1), 132-e1.
Miller, T., Deary, V., & Patterson, J. (2014). Improving access to psychological therapies in voice disorders: a cognitive behavioural therapy model. Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery, 22(3), 201-205.
🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Dr Luke Aldridge-Waddon
Dr Luke Aldridge-Waddon (he/him) is a Clinical Psychologist working within the NHS and in independent practice. His clinical and research interests focus on psychological features in clinical health groups. He has a special interest in psychological perspectives in vocal health and voice care, and he is a recipient of prizes from the British Voice Association (Van Lawrence Prize, 2023) and Dysphonia International (Travel Award) in recognition of his research on clinical psychology and voice disorders.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Monday 16th November 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills (IPAS): Online Information Session & Q&A
Debbie Winter
Interested in developing your academic skills or exploring a pathway onto our MA Voice Pedagogy? Join our free online information session to learn what IPAS involves, how it works and whether it's right for you.
Tuesday 17th November 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
A (Very) Brief Course in Linguistics!
Miranda Guettlein
Join Miranda Guettlin (editor of the Voice and Speech Review) for an empowering introductory course in linguistics designed specifically for voice and speech practitioners. She will break down the six major subfields (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) in order to provide voice and speech practitioners in with a more clear understanding of the components of language and usable tools to incorporate into their teaching.
Wednesday 18th November 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Expiratory Pressure Regulation for Power, Pitch and Vocal Health
Barbara Tanze
How does the pressure beneath your vocal folds affect your sound? And how can you learn to regulate it efficiently and make sense of what it means to “support your voice”? Join Barbara Tanze for this practical short course exploring the role of expiratory pressure regulation in singing and its relationship to vocal power, pitch control, efficiency and vocal health. Learn how singers can develop a more precise understanding of the interaction between respiratory activity, subglottic pressure and vocal fold function!