Welcome
Voice Habilitation and Rehabilitation Therapy
Teaching clients of all ages how to
repair, improve and strengthen
their speaking and singing voices
About Our Practice
Jo Anne Buress, MM, MA, CCC-SLP
Jo Anne Buress is a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in voice habilitation and rehabilitation therapy. She is a long-time south Austin resident with over 25 years experience in private voice instruction -- coaching adults and children in singing, performance, music theory, articulation, and vocal health. Jo Anne has guest lectured at the University of Texas at Austin and University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She has also presented on the efficacy of using classical singing techniques to supplement speech therapy for stroke survivors at the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association state convention, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association national convention, and the Pan American Vocology Association. Jo Anne holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology.
Habilitation or Rehabilitation ... Which Do You Need?
Voice Habilitation ... The Vocal Athlete
At Austin Healthy Voice, we work with you to maintain, build and enhance your skills in the areas of vocal hygiene, coordination, conditioning, and pacing. Whether you use your voice professionally for singing or speaking or just want to improve your vocal communication skills, we help you identify and correct behaviors that are impeding your optimal voice and teach you techniques for strengthening and maintaining a healthy voice throughout your lifetime.
Voice Rehabilitation ... When Good Voices Go Bad
Just as a physical therapist helps improve movement of the body, and an occupational therapist helps improve the ability to perform activities of daily living, a voice therapist is part of the team, along with your medical doctor (ENT, Neurologist, etc.), that works to restore vocal function following injury, surgery, or diagnosis of a neurological disorder (e.g., Parkinson's Disease). This entails assessing the current condition of your speaking and (if applicable) singing voice, setting measurable goals based on this assessment and your personal expectations, and implementing a treatment plan to help you to regain vocal function and maintain vocal health.