Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
You don’t need to have a speech or language disorder to benefit from speech therapy. Many adults seek out communication coaching from a speech therapist to build their professional skills and feel more confident, in the workplace and beyond.
Maybe you’re dealing with a fear of public speaking. Or perhaps you want to improve your communication skills at work, strengthen your leadership presence, or connect better with clients or customers. No matter your goal, a speech therapist can help you develop clear, effective, and confident communication.
In this guide, we explain what professional communication is, how speech therapists provide professional communication training, and what to expect during sessions. Whether you're preparing for a big presentation or just want everyday conversations to feel easier, you're in the right place.
What is professional communication?
Professional communication is all about speaking and writing clearly, confidently, and effectively—especially at work. Whether you're working in an office, in customer service, or on a team project, having strong professional communication skills can help you succeed.
Many people think of public speaking when they hear the term “professional communication.” If you have a fear of public speaking, you’re not alone. Many people do! With the right public speaking training, you can learn how to speak with confidence.
But professional communication includes much more than just talking. It’s about listening actively, giving and receiving feedback, and using body language that matches your words. How you write emails, speak during meetings, or introduce yourself to new people all sends a message. Good communication also helps you build strong relationships, share your ideas clearly, and handle difficult conversations.
Professional communication includes skills such as:
Interpersonal communication
Public speaking
Sharing and receiving feedback
Speaking clearly and at a good volume
Showing confidence and a positive attitude
Expressing empathy and building trust
Active listening and responsiveness
Understanding and using body language
Interviewing skills
Leadership and teamwork
From students to professionals, communication coaching helps people feel more prepared, respected, and successful. It can increase your value and image at work, boost your confidence, and even reduce stress.
Expert coaching on your schedule
Work with a licensed speech therapist on a personalized plan to improve your professional communication skills.
Find a speech therapistWhy professional communication skills matter in your career
Strong professional communication skills are key to success in nearly every job. Whether you work in an office, a classroom, a restaurant, a store, or on a team in the field, how you speak, listen, and interact with others matters.
In fact, many employers say that communication skills at work are just as important as job knowledge, if not more important. When hiring or promoting employees, companies often look for people who can share ideas clearly, work well with others, and handle tough conversations with confidence.
Research backs this up. Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman found that people prefer to do business with those they like and trust, even if the product costs more. The same is true among coworkers. A team led by a skilled, trusted communicator is more likely to thrive. That’s why strong professional communication in the workplace is so valuable.
The goal isn’t to change who you are. It’s to help you become your most confident and effective self in any situation.
If someone struggles with communication skills, it may become harder to grow in their career. For example, studies from Columbia University found that a fear of public speaking can lower a person’s earning potential by 10% and reduce their chances of getting leadership roles by 15%.
The good news? With communication coaching or public speaking training, you can build confidence and improve your communication skills at work. These are learnable skills, and they can make a big difference in your success.
Strong communication skills can help you outside the workplace, too. Many people feel nervous in social situations. Others may find it hard to start or keep a conversation going. These challenges can affect your success at work, but also in school or in your community. That’s another reason building strong communication and interpersonal skills is so important.
The goal of communication coaching isn’t to change who you are. It’s to help you become your most confident and effective self in any situation.
What is speech therapy for professional communication?
Speech therapy for adults isn’t just about stuttering or lisps. A licensed speech therapist can help professionals improve clarity, confidence, and connection in the workplace.
Whether you’re preparing for a big presentation, a job interview, or day-to-day team interactions, communication coaching from a speech therapist can make a big difference. You’ll be working with a clinician who has expertise in speech and articulation, verbal formulation, voice, and nonverbal communication techniques.
Here are some of the main areas addressed in speech therapy for professional communication:
Public speaking training
Millions of people have a fear of public speaking. It’s common to feel nervous when you're giving a presentation, leading a meeting, or speaking in a group. A speech therapist can provide public speaking training, helping you organize your thoughts, speak clearly, and deliver your message with confidence. You’ll learn public speaking tips like using eye contact, pacing your speech, and managing anxiety.
Interview skills
Being qualified isn’t always enough. Hiring managers often choose the person who communicates well during the interview. If you feel that your speech patterns or anxiety are holding you back, speech therapy can help you improve your communication during high-pressure situations like job interviews.
Interpersonal communication
Strong communication skills at work aren’t just about giving presentations. They’re also about how you connect with others. Teamwork, leadership, and customer service all require good listening, clear responses, and confident social interaction. Speech therapy can teach you conversation strategies, active listening skills, and nonverbal communication techniques.
Accent modification
Having an accent is not a disorder. But an accent can sometimes make it harder to be understood. If you speak English as a second language and feel like your accent is affecting how others perceive you, a speech therapist can provide accent modification therapy. The goal isn’t to erase your identity—it’s to make sure your ideas and leadership skills shine through in your job.
How speech therapy works for professional communication
Speech therapy for professional communication is tailored to you. In your first session, your therapist will evaluate your communication, ask about your concerns, and help you set clear, personalized goals. From there, each session focuses on practical strategies that you can start using right away in your job or social life.
Here’s how communication coaching with a speech therapist might look, depending on your goals:
Your goal: Improved public speaking skills
If you want to feel more confident speaking in front of a group, your therapist may focus on techniques like grounding, breath support, speaking rate, and organizing your ideas. You’ll practice giving short speeches and receive helpful public speaking tips and feedback in a low-stress environment. Over time, you’ll feel more comfortable presenting to others, whether it's in a meeting or on stage. (More on public speaking training below!)
Your goal: More effective sales or customer communication
If your role involves customer interaction or sales, strong communication skills are key. A speech therapist can help you refine your speaking style, body language, and word choice. You’ll learn how to adjust your tone, pace, and presence to better connect with clients or meet performance goals.
A speech therapist can help you refine your speaking style, body language, and word choice and learn how to adjust your tone and pace.
Your goal: Stronger leadership and management skills
If you’re in a leadership role–or you’re working toward a promotion–strong communication is essential. A speech therapist will help you explore communication roadblocks, build rapport with your team, and lead group discussions. You’ll also learn how to use storytelling and other professional communication training strategies to become a more engaging and respected manager (maybe even the “favorite boss”!).
Your goal: Nailing the interview
If interviews make you nervous, you’re not alone. Many people with great skills struggle to communicate clearly in high-pressure situations. A speech therapist can help you practice answering common interview questions, fine-tune your personal pitch, and learn how to introduce yourself with confidence and clarity. Mock interviews give you a chance to rehearse and receive detailed feedback.
No matter your goals, therapy includes exercises to practice between sessions. These home exercises are key to making progress and applying your new skills at work, in real life. The more you practice, the faster you’ll see changes in your communication skills.
Get matched with a speech therapist who's right for you
Get started nowOvercome fear of public speaking with communication coaching
Fear of public speaking, also called glossophobia, is very common. But the good news is you don’t have to let it hold you back. With the right support, it can get better. A trained speech therapist can help you build confidence and develop stronger public speaking skills through personalized communication coaching.
When it comes to speaking in front of others, you might feel insecure, embarrassed, or even panicked. Common symptoms of fear of public speaking include:
A racing heart or fast breathing that makes your voice shaky
Stuttering, dry mouth, or trouble getting words out
Avoiding situations where you need to speak up or present
Constantly worrying you’ll mess up or sound “stupid”
Many people think they’re just “bad at speaking,” but that’s usually not true. They just need help managing nerves and learning what works. Speech therapy for public speaking focuses on tools and strategies that make it easier to communicate in high-stress or professional situations.
A speech therapist can help you:
Breathe more effectively to stay calm and sound clear
Organize your thoughts on the spot, including answering open-ended questions
Speak with clarity by improving your articulation
Use confident body language, like eye contact and natural gestures
In speech therapy, you’ll set personal goals, work through fears, and learn how to show up with confidence. With time and support, your public speaking training can become a powerful part of your professional growth.
How Expressable supports your professional communication goals
If you want to improve your professional communication skills or get public speaking training, Expressable offers a personalized, research-based program just for you. Our online program includes:
An evaluation, custom treatment plan, and weekly one-on-one sessions with a licensed speech therapist
Expert coaching on skills like breathing, pacing, voice clarity, storytelling, and how to sound confident and engaging
Weekly home practice activities and helpful handouts
Texting support from your therapist between sessions
A convenient online format tailored to your schedule, with evening and weekend appointments available
Note that professional communication training is typically not covered by health insurance because it’s not considered medically necessary. If your speech therapist notices a medical speech concern, such as a voice disorder or stuttering, they may recommend a more in-depth evaluation and help you explore insurance options.
Support beyond sessions: The Expressable portal
At Expressable, we know that real progress happens both in and out of sessions. That’s why every client gets access to our easy-to-use online portal. It’s a key part of our approach to effective communication at work and beyond.
Inside the portal, you’ll find:
Learning Paths that reinforce the communication skills you're learning, like how to build confidence or answer open-ended questions
Demo videos that show real examples of strategies like improving your pacing, volume, and tone
Home practice activities you can use on the job and in real life
Text messaging with your therapist for reminders, answers to questions, or quick tips between sessions
When you practice between sessions using these tools, you’re more likely to make lasting progress. We designed the portal to make learning simple, effective, and easy to fit into your routine.
A personalized approach that fits your life
Expressable speech therapists follow a proven method: every session is individualized, functional, and outcomes-focused. We help adults work on what matters most to them, whether that’s giving a great presentation, speaking with more charisma, or just feeling confident in everyday conversations.
Ready to improve your communication skills at work, in social settings, or anywhere else life takes you? Let Expressable help you use your voice with confidence and clarity. Get matched with a speech therapist here!
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
