Short Courses & Events / Archive

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. 

CPD Course Logo

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.

Learn More

Sorry, 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.

Learn to Coach RP and SSBE – a Certificate in Accent Coaching
Wednesday 4th March 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 11th March 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 18th March 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 25th March 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 1st April 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 8th April 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)

Learn to Coach RP and SSBE – a Certificate in Accent Coaching

Louisa Morgan

This six-week course is an opportunity to learn about both Received Pronunciation and Standard Southern British English. Rather than a course in learning how to speak RP/SSBE (there are many brilliant available courses for this already), this course is about learning how to coach it.

Leaning Into Discomfort: Supporting Regulation and Resilience in Voice Care
Tuesday 7th April 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Leaning Into Discomfort: Supporting Regulation and Resilience in Voice Care

Dr Carol Krusemark

Working with the singing body and nervous system, whether in teaching, coaching, therapy, or performance, often means navigating moments of stress, vulnerability, and uncertainty. In these moments, both teachers and clients can find themselves operating from a heightened autonomic stress response that affects communication, learning, and vocal function. Join Dr Carol Krusemark as she explores how an understanding of the autonomic nervous system can inform more effective and compassionate voice work!

Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!
Thursday 9th April 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday 16th April 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday 23rd April 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday 30th April 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday 7th May 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
(London Time)

Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!

Debbie Winter

Are you ready to elevate your academic journey? Hosted by our very own Debbie Winter, join our comprehensive Introduction to Academic Skills course, designed to equip you with essential tools and strategies for success in higher education. Perfect for bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, this course offers a pathway to our full MA for students without an existing degree. We offer both live, interactive sessions and standalone, pre-recorded content.