Voice and Speech

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Mental Health Issues

As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to take a moment to talk about how closely voice and speech are tied to mental health.

It's hard to feel confident, happy, or at peace when you're uncomfortable with how you sound or speak. In my work, I help people find a voice that feels true to who they are—a voice free of tension, old stories, and habits that no longer serve them. When they connect with their voice in a new way, it often leads to deeper shifts in how they see themselves and the world.

Voice work is a powerful tool because it taps into three systems that are closely connected: the body, the breath, and the mind. Your voice isn't just a sound; it's deeply tied to how you feel in your body, how freely your breath flows, and how your thoughts and emotions shape the sounds you make. When any of these systems are out of sync, it affects the way you express yourself and how others hear you.

The Body, Breath, and Mind Connection

Your voice is housed in your body. How you feel physically has a huge impact on how you sound. When you carry tension—whether in your throat, jaw, or anywhere else—it limits your voice's ability to resonate fully. How can your message truly resonate with others if it's not resonating within you first?

The breath is the power source for your voice. If your breath is shallow or held back, you're not tapping into your full potential. In voice work, we learn to let go of those restrictions and use breath to fuel a more confident, powerful voice.

Finally, your voice is shaped by your mind. The stories you tell yourself—whether they were shaped by society, your upbringing, or past experiences—become embedded in your speech patterns. These stories can limit your expression. Through voice work, you can uncover these patterns and begin to rewrite them, allowing your true voice to emerge.

Real Stories of Transformation

Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with so many wonderful people and witnessing incredible transformations. One experience that stands out is with a client named Ryochi, a Japanese businessman who came to the U.S. for both a vacation and to work on his English. He wanted to reduce his accent for both business and social situations.

When we first met, Ryochi had a very flat affect in his speech—this monotone voice was something he struggled with, especially after having experienced catatonic schizophrenia in college. Despite his challenges, he was determined to change the way he expressed himself.

One day, after watching the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, he shared how jealous he was of the people in the crowd shouting and celebrating. He wanted that freedom and excitement in his voice. That day, we spent the entire session exploring sound. We started small, but by the end, we were both yelling, whooping, and laughing together. It was such a breakthrough moment for him.

In later sessions, we used a variety of vocal exercises to help him unlock different sounds from various parts of his body. Each sound—whether deep, light, or airy—evoked different emotions. Watching him slowly transform and open up through his voice was a beautiful experience. It wasn't just about accent reduction—it was about rediscovering a fuller expression of himself.

How Voice Work Can Help with Depression

I also work with clients dealing with depression, occasionally sent by therapists or psychiatrists. These clients often speak with a flat tone, low volume, or lack of variation in their voice. Through voice work, I guide them to explore different sounds and vibrations from their bodies. The goal isn't just to change the sound of their voice; it's to help them connect with deeper emotions and break free from the limitations of their current patterns.

Sometimes, something as simple as singing or moving with their voice can help release built-up tension and bring joy. It's amazing to see how quickly clients can begin to smile and even laugh when they allow themselves to explore their voice in new ways. Through these exercises, clients often find themselves rediscovering their emotional range, helping them reconnect with themselves and experience more joy.

The Power of Accent Work

Accent work can be a controversial topic, but here's my take: If you want to change your accent, it's your choice. It's nobody's business but your own. Some people feel more confident and comfortable when their speech matches how they want to be perceived. The process of accent modification can be a revealing journey, not just about changing the way you sound but about discovering who you are and how you want to express yourself.

Accent work isn't about losing your identity; it's about gaining more freedom and control in how you communicate and connect with others. The voice is far more than just a tool for communication—it's an expression of who you are. By addressing your voice, you unlock deeper layers of yourself, freeing both your expression and your sense of self. Whether it's shedding old habits, rediscovering your true voice, or finding the confidence to speak with power, the work we do together doesn't just change the way you sound—it changes the way you show up in the world.

When your voice resonates with who you truly are, everything shifts.