Liberatory Music Therapy model of Gender Affirming Voicework (LMT-GAV)

"Gender affirming voicework" has increasingly become an overarching term to describe various types of gender-focused vocal training (e.g., the work that comes from speech/language pathologists or voice teachers/coaches). Specific to music therapy, a formal model has been introduced for music therapists who wish to facilitate this work within the clinical setting. The development of this model comes from the collaboration of Maevon Gumble, MMT, MT-BC, LPC, Braedyn Inmon, MMT, MT-BC, and Kaylynn Schachner, MMT, MT-BC and is named the Liberatory Music Therapy model of Gender Affirming Voicework (LMT-GAV). This model is informed by knowledge from music therapy, speech/language pathology, vocal pedagogy, and gender & critical theories.

My Training

I joined the first cohort for gender affirming voicework training at the start of 2023, and have completed all training levels: I, II, and III. I have developed a foundational understanding of not only this method but also my own individual voice, gender, and embodiment. I have also practiced the facilitation of gender affirming voicework alongside peers and through clinical work under direct supervision.

I actively engage in both individual and peer supervision. This helps to ensure you are receiving services that best meets your needs. My supervisor is Maevon Gumble, MMT, MT-BC, LPC.

Structure of Sessions

Together we'll work toward accessing and embodying a more affirming singing and/or speaking voice. This might involve:

  • using various music therapy methods to access and embody spoken and/or sung gender expressions

  • working on vocal function and/or emotions or identity-related goals

  • exploring vocal aesthetics rather than treating vocal pathologies

  • working with your physical voice to change vocal habits

  • exploring your emotional connection with your voice, body, and/or gender

  • considering the contexts in which you use your voice and how that impacts both your physical voice and your emotional experiences

  • all of the above

This work is rooted in liberatory practices aimed at consciousness-raising and tending to the emotional process as it arises, and considers sociocultural context and various voices a person uses in daily life.

What this work looks like is really dependent upon you and what you're looking for. We'll use the continuum of space between speech and song as our tools for exploring sound, with the aim being to meet you where you're at and support you in connecting in with the resources that already exist within your voice. The only important things that you need for this work is a willingness to use music as a tool and a willingness to be collaborative in how we work.

The Work

This work surrounds directly working with the impacts of the gender binary on your experience of your voice and gender by supporting you in listening deeply to your own experience of yourself. I will support you in identifying your own voice and gender-related goals so that you might speak, sing, move, and live in the most affirming and authentic way you can.

Additionally, this work obviously has important implications for those in trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive communities, but this work is for people of all genders because we all have some kind of relationship with gender, cishetnormativity, and our voice. No matter how you identify or where you are in your journey -- this work is for you!