Gender Affirming Voice Training

At Expressable, we support individuals across the gender spectrum as they work toward a voice that feels more affirming and authentic. Our gender affirming voice therapy program is rooted in evidence-based techniques and personalized to your goals–whether you want to feel more confident speaking in public, find ease in day-to-day conversations, or simply sound more like  yourself.

Gender affirming voice therapy is also known as transgender voice therapy or transgender voice training. It’s a nonsurgical intervention that helps change the gendered aspects of a person’s voice and communication. Working closely with a specialized speech-language pathologist, clients are empowered to explore a wide range of vocal characteristics, including pitch, resonance, intonation, and nonverbal communication. The goal of therapy is to help their voice align with their identity.

Transgender voice therapy is for anyone who wants to explore and change their voice. This includes people who are transfeminine, transmasculine, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, cisgender, and beyond. Voice training is not one-size-fits-all. Each person’s journey is unique, and therapy is always shaped by their goals.

With the right strategies, consistent practice, and a supportive therapist, you can make lasting, meaningful changes to your voice. Expressable speech therapists bring both clinical expertise and cultural humility to their work. This guide outlines our approach to gender affirming voice care, from the initial evaluation to a personalized treatment plan. You can also see our full guide to gender affirming voice therapy to learn more about the overall process, surgical and hormonal options, and MTF (male-to-female) and FTM (female-to-male) voice training.

1Why is gender affirming voice therapy important? 2How Expressable treats gender affirming voice clients 3Practice voice techniques at home with the Expressable portal 4The benefits of online speech therapy for gender affirming voice care 5See what clients are saying about our gender affirming voice therapists 6Get matched with a speech therapist today

Why is gender affirming voice therapy important? 

Our voice is one of the most personal parts of who we are. It reflects not just how we sound, but how we see ourselves and how we’re seen by the world. When your voice doesn’t match your gender identity, speaking can become a source of distress or discomfort. This experience, sometimes described as voice dysphoria, can impact daily communication, self-confidence, and emotional well-being.

That’s why gender affirming voice therapy is such an important and empowering process. At Expressable, our personalized program is designed to:

• Improve quality of life by helping people align their voice with their identity, leading to greater comfort, confidence, and authenticity in communication

• Use evidence-based techniques that are supported by the latest research in voice, speech, and gender perception

• Support exploration of multiple vocal characteristics such as pitch, resonance, intonation, and vocal quality, not just how “high or low” the voice sounds

• Take a whole-person, holistic approach that respects each person’s goals, values, and journey

• Educate and empower clients and families to better understand voice physiology and the full range of affirming communication tools

Finding your voice (both literally and figuratively) is a deeply personal journey. Many clients describe a powerful sense of alignment and relief when their inner voice and physical voice begin to match. With the guidance and support of a specialized speech-language pathologist, voice training can be a meaningful step toward living more fully as your authentic self.

How Expressable treats gender affirming voice clients 

At Expressable, we match clients with licensed speech-language pathologists who specialize in gender affirming voice training. All therapy is delivered online through secure, face-to-face video sessions on Zoom.

Research shows that virtual voice therapy can be just as effective as in-person services. Online sessions make it easier to access specialists, build consistency, and extend your practice into daily life, all from the comfort of your own space. This convenience helps clients make faster, more sustainable progress.

Expressable therapists are clinical experts in vocal health and physiology, but they also support how your voice connects to your identity, emotions, and everyday communication.

It's important to work with someone who specializes in gender affirming voice care. This is because changing your voice can be vocally fatiguing. Vocal health and hygiene is an important consideration for anyone seeking to change aspects of their voice.

Expressable’s voice therapists take a whole-person approach. They are clinical experts in voice physiology and vocal health, and they focus on your goals for pitch or tone. But they also support how your voice connects to your identity, emotions, and everyday communication. You’ll work in a judgment-free space where you’re encouraged to explore your voice with confidence and authenticity. Therapy is personalized, goal-driven, and designed to help you feel more at home in how you sound and how you express yourself.

Expressable’s clinical approach to evaluating gender affirming voice clients

Gender affirming voice therapy begins with a thorough evaluation. This helps your speech therapist understand your unique vocal profile and learn about your voice and communication goals.

During the evaluation, your speech therapist may use the Transgender Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (TSEQ), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and/or Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V). They may assess:

• Respiration and breath support

• Vocal quality, pitch, and resonance

• Oral-motor coordination (how your lips, jaw, and tongue work together for speech)

• Verbal and nonverbal communication style (including gestures, facial expressions, and conversation patterns)

• Any prior imaging or voice assessments you have had

During your evaluation, your speech therapist will also talk with you about your voice goals. Then, you’ll work together to create a care plan aligned with how you want to sound and feel when you speak.

Voice therapy typically involves one or two sessions each week. Your speech therapist will guide you every step of the way and adjust your care plan as your voice evolves.

Evidence-based strategies used in gender affirming voice therapy 

At Expressable, gender affirming voice therapy is tailored to your personal goals, values, and communication style. Whether you want to change how deep or high your voice sounds, adjust your nonverbal communication or body language, or build vocal confidence, our therapists use proven strategies that support both vocal health and authentic self-expression.

Sessions may target areas such as:

• Pitch: How high or low your voice sounds

• Intonation: The rise and fall of your pitch during speech

• Resonance: The quality and placement of your voice

• Articulation: How your lips, tongue, and teeth create sounds

• Volume and rate of speech: How loudly and quickly you speak

• Nonverbal vocalizations: Like laughter, coughing, or sighing

Your speech therapist will show you how to increase your vocal endurance to retrain your nervous system and muscle habits over time. You may also work on nonverbal communication, such as:

• Gestures and body language (kinesics)

• Physical space in conversation (proxemics)

• Facial expressions and eye contact

• Social interaction skills (pragmatics)

Voice therapy is always client-led. You decide what voice and communication style feels most like you, and your therapist provides the tools and support to help you get there. Evidence-based techniques used in gender affirming voice therapy may include:

• Diaphragmatic breathing

• Vocal hygiene and methods to reduce laryngeal tension (through hydration, breath support, periods of vocal rest, and more) 

• Straw phonation and lip trill exercises

• Vocal function exercises

• Buzzy resonance and airflow strategies

• Identifying and practicing your target pitch

• Incorporating mindfulness and somatic practices to increase your mind-body connection

Each session is supportive while also being functional. That means your speech therapist will help you apply what you’re learning to your real life. For example, if you’re a lawyer, you can practice talking to your therapist about specific legal topics, or with vocabulary you use at work. If you’re a student, you can practice vocal techniques while discussing a school project. Your therapist may also suggest role-playing scenarios for practice.

Practice voice techniques at home with the Expressable portal 

At Expressable, speech therapy doesn’t stop when your session ends. You’ll have ongoing text messaging support so you can ask questions or get tips from your speech therapist between sessions. You’ll also have access to our client portal, which makes it easier to practice voice exercises and strategies at home. The more often you practice, the faster you’ll make progress–and the more confident you’ll feel using your voice in real-life situations.

In the portal, you’ll find Learning Paths that explain and reinforce the vocal strategies you’re learning, such as healthy vocal hygiene and exercises to promote the best vibration of your authentic voice:

You can watch videos where our experts demonstrate vocal techniques, such as exercises for certain speaking patterns and exploring vocal resonance:

Your speech therapist will assign easy ways to practice voice strategies during your everyday routines and social interactions:

The benefits of online speech therapy for gender affirming voice care 

Online speech therapy has been shown in many studies to be just as effective as in-person speech therapy, including for gender affirming voice training. In fact, many people find that virtual therapy offers unique advantages for both their communication goals and their overall well-being. Here’s why teletherapy works so well for gender affirming voice care:

1 Access to voice specialists with gender affirming experience

Gender affirming voice training is a highly specialized area of speech-language pathology. With online therapy, you’re not limited to providers in your immediate area. Instead, you gain access to a nationwide network of licensed voice specialists who work with transgender and gender-diverse clients. This is especially helpful if local options are limited or not affirming.

2 Flexibility that fits your life

Voice exploration is a deeply personal process. Speech therapy should fit into your schedule, not disrupt it. Online sessions eliminate travel time and make it easier to book appointments that fit with work, school, or other responsibilities. At Expressable, our goal is to make high-quality care accessible and convenient.

3 Therapy in a safe, familiar space

Feeling comfortable is key to making progress in gender affirming voice therapy. For many people, being at home creates a safer, more relaxed environment where they feel freer to explore their voice. Virtual sessions can feel more private and empowering, especially if you're early in your voice journey or concerned about being misgendered in public.

4 Support from loved ones

Voice transition often affects (and is affected by) our closest relationships. Online therapy makes it easier for partners, friends, or family members to attend sessions if you choose. They can observe your progress, understand the goals you’re working toward, and learn how to support and affirm you in daily life

5 Affordable, personalized care

Online therapy can be a more cost-effective option than in-person clinics, while still providing evidence-based treatment. You’ll work 1-on-1 with a licensed speech therapist who listens to your goals and helps you shape a voice that feels like you. With no commuting or waiting rooms, every minute of your session is focused on your progress.

See what clients are saying about our gender affirming voice therapists

We’ve treated hundreds of clients around the country. Our speech therapists consistently earn average ratings of 4.9 out of 5 stars from their clients. Here’s just a sampling:

“Teaching me to master the full range of my voice” “Heather is an excellent speech therapist and has been doing amazing work teaching me to master the full range of my voice. She's a phenomenal speech therapist. Heather always brings her best to our sessions.”

“Makes me feel comfortable when we talk” “Kaylee is just such an awesome vocal coach! She is always very supportive and open to me changing or reworking things that we have worked on. She also makes me feel so comfortable when we talk, and it makes the session fly by, which I am kinda sad about, but the work we do is always amazing. I am truly grateful for how far she has taken me and how far she will continue to take me!”

“Voice quality is better and noticeable” “Voice quality is definitely better and noticeable to people. Variety of sessions is appreciated.”

“Helpful exercises that get my voice closer to where I need it to be” “Jessica always gives helpful exercises that get my voice closer to where I need it to be.  She is very knowledgeable and an excellent vocal coach.”

Get matched with a speech therapist today 

Since your voice is a reflection of your whole self, gender affirming voice training aims to help you sound more like you! At Expressable, we’re here to help you on your courageous vocal journey. Find the right speech therapist for your needs here.