Can you work on my communication and presentation, as well as my voice?

Yes, I can. I'm a trained vocal coach with many years experience of working with clients on their voice, their vocal delivery, communications and presentations. I can help you to address habitual patterns in your voice regarding quality (breathy versus pressed sounds, for example), stamina, style, clarity, pitch and presence as well as work with you to embed these habits into everyday practice and performance. This might be supporting you to speak up in meetings, deliver a Town Hall address, present online and/or in-person. I can also support you to develop a more leader-like presence in your voice and communication style generally, as well as to work with you to understand the impact of types of language and sounds on conversations and relationships.

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Is this the same as presentation coaching?

 No, it's not. Good presentation coaching should engage you in working on your delivery of the presentation but a presentations coach will not have the specialist training to work on your voice with you. It's worth checking what their precise training and expertise are in.

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Won't I get this from regular communications training?

It's very unlikely. Again, communications trainers should engage in working on your delivery, but their focus is often more general and they are unlikely to have the specialist training to work on your voice with you. It's worth asking, of course, but rare.

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Our Comms team are setting up some role-play training. Do you do this?

I work with both individuals and teams on their communication style and relationships, understanding how important parts of speech work (questions and interrupting or overlapping speech are often hot topics). While I sometimes work with role play, I always ensure this is underpinned by attention to conversation analysis - what we really do when we talk - rather than inauthentic simulation. Role play has its place, but there's a wealth of evidence and research to show that it's usually used in a way that promotes communication myths and neither facilitates true simulation nor effective behavioural change. If you're interested in reading more, I highly recommend Elizabeth Stokoe's research and her book Talk: The Science of Conversation.

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I'm working with a presentations/ communication/ other coach at the moment. They aren't trained in voice and vocal coaching but are happy to work with me on my voice. Is this ok?

I wouldn't recommend this. If you're really dedicated to improving your communications, leadership qualities, and interactions working on your voice with a trained coach is vital. This work usually requires addressing years-long habits. Avoid doing this with someone who is untrained. 
The voice is an extremely delicate part of the body. It has a remarkable ability to heal but all injury takes its toll and healing takes time. For the voice, healing can require periods (days, weeks, months) of not using it at all: no sounds, no speaking. In business, regardless of your role or profession, this is highly problematic. Working with specialists in the function and use of the vocal and breathing mechanisms is the best way to improve your voice and to prevent vocal injuries (including fatigue, minor/ major voice loss, etc).​

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My voice is always sore/ I've recently noticed a significant change in my voice quality. Should I see a vocal coach?

If you experience pain when talking or singing, or if you've noticed a change in your speaking voice (lower pitch, ongoing fatigue, for example), it's worth contacting a medical/clinical specialist and not a vocal coach. In the meantime, keep voice use to a minimum.

The specialist you require may be a speech and language therapist, an otolaryngologist, or an Ear Nose Throat specialist, for example. If you're unsure, you're welcome to email me for some advice on who to approach according to your symptoms. It's likely you will need to seek a referral, however, from you doctor.