Frequently Asked Questions
How much does therapy cost?
Rates are within the hourly range reported by The Alberta Speech-Language Association of Private Practitioners (ASAPP). Please contact me for more specific assessment and treatment costs.
is therapy covered by alberta health care?
Unfortunately, Alberta Health Care does not provide coverage for private speech therapy.
does my insurance plan cover therapy?
Many group insurance plans cover at least a portion of the cost of private services which are usually listed under “Speech Therapy.” Please check your own plan for details.
can i use my health spending account?
Yes, voice therapy is considered a health care expense and is eligible for Health Spending Account reimbursement.
is therapy tax deductible?
Yes, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency considers fees paid to a private Speech-Language Pathologist to be a tax-deductible medical expense.
do you direct bill?
No, however, the invoice I provide has my registration number and information for you to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
what are my options if i cannot invest in private services?
You can access publicly funded voice therapy services from the Glenrose Hospital or the CRIS Clinic. Please keep in mind there is a waitlist for these public health services.
what kind of clients do you see?
Individuals who may benefit may include:
People who use their voice for this jobs: teachers, singers, actors, public speakers, sales representatives.
People with vocal nodules, polyps, muscle tension concerns, vocal fold dysfunction, and chronic cough.
Singers that are experiencing persistent pain, fatigue, or a loss of range when singing.
People living with Parkinsons’s Disease.
Individuals who are seeking voice and communication training to develop a voice that matches their gender identity.
People with aging voice concerns.
do i need to see an ent before coming?
Yes, it is recommended that you are seen by an ENT so we can make sure that voice therapy is prescribed and your vocal folds have been seen prior to starting treatment. You can seek a referral to an ENT through your family doctor. If you have questions and concerns about getting into see an ENT, feel free to contact me to discuss further.
are you taking new patients?
Yes, you will added to the waitlist and will be contacted when there is room on the active caseload.
why do we need to speak over the phone before finalizing an appointment time?
It is beneficial for me to speak to clients over the phone for a few minutes to gather some more information, make sure voice therapy is a good fit, and answer any questions you may have.
Do you see paediatric patients?
Normally, I only work with adults for voice therapy; however, there is an exception made for paediatric patients looking for gender affirming voice and communication training and vocal cord dysfunction services. Please contact the writer to discuss on a case-by-case basis.
do you see patients in person?
No, I currently do not have a clinic space to see patients in person so all appointments are done via zoom video conferencing. If you need to be seen in person, you can search for other private voice therapists on ASAPP.
do you have video therapy sessions?
Yes, I am able to see clients for video session that reside in Alberta. Currently, all therapy is done over zoom video conferencing.
I do not live in alberta, can you see me for treatment online?
No, I am only registered to practice in Alberta so all my patients must be in Alberta.
how long do i need to have therapy?
I usually see clients for 4-6 sessions with a session every 2 weeks. The schedule varies depending on the availability of the clinician and patient. Voice therapy is extremely specific and cost-effective so a little goes a long way. If we are not seeing gains being made in this time, we would have a discussion on possible next steps.
Will i have homework from the session?
Yes, there will be some type of homework practice required to be completed by the patient in between sessions. It is important that the patient practices consistently in between sessions for us to see the best possible results and to assess if the voice therapy is working.
when are therapy appointments?
Clients are booked Tuesday-Thursday from 2-6 PM.
will i need to sing during my session?
If you are having difficulties with your singing voice and that is a something you want to work on, yes, you will be asked to sing a cappella as part of the voice assessment. It is to help the therapist assess what may be the underlying difficulties in terms of singing technique.
what do i need before my first therapy session?
You will need to complete and return a case history form and consent form via e-mail back to the writer. You may wish to have a water bottle or glass of water nearby. If you are a singer, you may wish to bring sheet music to refer to but be prepared to sing a cappella.
Are you are singing teacher?
No, while we can work on how voice therapy principles and exercises transfer over to singing practice, my approach is more short-term and targeted as a healthcare professional. If you are seeking a voice teacher in the Edmonton area, I would recommend searching for NATS certified teachers on this website.