Trauma-Informed Voice Care

You may have encountered voice patients, clients or students who were experiencing emotional distress. Did you know that trauma is a psychosocial risk factor in patients with functional voice disorders such as muscle tension dysphonia? In functional voice disorders, patients’ primary complaints are usually somatic symptoms though they may have co-occurring psychological stressors and dissociative symptoms. Keep in mind that some patients and clients may not feel comfortable disclosing a trauma history. Some may not even have a relevant trauma history. Regardless, practitioners are encouraged to learn about and practice with or without trauma inquiry or disclosure.

Trauma-informed care is a universal precaution designed to prevent re-traumatisation of people within a system or organisation. This workshop will elucidate the four assumptions and six key principles of trauma informed care and their applications to professional voice users and practitioners. Importantly, we will discuss ethical considerations within the scopes of practice of various voice care practitioners.