Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can a Speech and Language Therapist help with?
Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) work with much more than 'speech' and 'language'. I specialise in helping people with persistent throat symptoms, including throat clearing, cough, inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), swallowing difficulties and voice problems.
In addition, I have extensive training in vocal massage, Buteyko breathing techniques, and myofunctional therapy for poor oral posture, mouth breathing, bruxism (teeth grinding), jaw pain and sleep disordered breathing.
I can help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and, where appropriate, develop an individualised treatment plan to help you manage and reduce them.
2. Do I need a referral to see you?
You can contact me directly to arrange a private assessment.
However, you will need to have had a recent consultation with an ENT consultant, respiratory physician or gastroenterologist for any voice/swallowing/throat/breathing symptoms to ensure medical aspects have been suitably assessed and managed. If you are comfortable, it can be helpful to bring any relevant letters or investigation results to your appointment.
3. I've had lots of tests, but everything is normal. Can you still help?
Yes. Having normal investigations can be reassuring, but it doesn't mean that your symptoms aren't real or that they aren't affecting your everyday life.
Some persistent cough, throat, breathing, swallowing and voice symptoms can be related to how the throat and larynx are functioning or responding to triggers, rather than there being an obvious structural problem.
An SLT assessment can look at these functional aspects and help determine whether therapy could be beneficial for you. If I feel that further medical assessment is needed, I'll discuss this with you.
4. What happens during my first appointment?
Your first appointment is an opportunity to understand what you're experiencing, when your symptoms occur and how they are affecting you.
I'll ask about your symptoms, relevant medical history, previous investigations and any treatments you've already tried. Depending on your reason for referral, we may also assess your voice, breathing, cough or swallowing.
We'll then discuss what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether SLT is appropriate. If therapy is recommended, we'll agree an individualised plan together.
5. Do you treat persistent cough and throat symptoms?
Yes. I work with people diagnosed with 'cough hypersensitivity syndrome', persistent throat clearing and a range of ongoing throat sensations or symptoms.
This can include symptoms associated with an irritable or sensitive larynx, such as an urge to cough or clear your throat in response to relatively minor triggers.
Behavioural Cough Control Therapy is an evidence-based treatment to identify triggers and learn practical strategies to reduce coughing and throat irritation. The approach is tailored to you and your particular pattern of symptoms.
6. Can you help with inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO)?
Yes. ILO occurs when the upper airway, including the vocal folds, narrows inappropriately during breathing. This can cause symptoms such as difficulty getting air in, throat tightness, noisy breathing or a feeling that you can't catch your breath.
Therapy focuses on understanding your triggers and learning breathing and laryngeal control techniques to help you manage episodes and reduce their impact.
7. Can you help with swallowing difficulties?
Yes. I can assess and support adults experiencing swallowing difficulties, including symptoms where swallowing feels difficult, uncomfortable or unpredictable despite reassuring medical investigations.
Swallowing symptoms can have a number of causes, so the first step is understanding your individual symptoms and history. Where appropriate, therapy may focus on improving swallowing confidence, reducing unhelpful patterns and developing strategies to make eating and drinking feel more comfortable and manageable.
8. Can you help with voice problems and hoarseness?
Yes. I work with people experiencing a range of voice difficulties, including persistent hoarseness, vocal fatigue, a weak or strained voice, changes in voice quality and difficulties using the voice comfortably.
Voice therapy is tailored to your voice, your lifestyle and the demands you place on it. We may explore how you are using your voice, factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and practical techniques to help you use your voice more efficiently and comfortably.
9. Can you help with breathing problems?
Yes. I work with breathing problems as part of my specialist Speech and Language Therapy practice, particularly where breathing interacts with the upper airway, voice, cough or swallowing. Therapy may include breathing retraining and strategies, Buteyko techniques and myofunctional therapy, depending on your needs.
10. How many appointments will I need?
This varies from person to person. Some people need only a small number of sessions e.g., 4 sessions, while others benefit from a longer period of support e.g., 12 sessions. Some people benefit from weekly appointments, while others prefer them on a monthly basis.
At your first appointment, we'll discuss your goals and what is likely to be helpful for you. I aim to provide focused, individualised therapy rather than booking unnecessary appointments.
We'll regularly review your progress and agree together what support you need.