SLI Launches Transgender Support Group

The Speech-Language Institute (SLI) of Salus University recently launched ‘Raise Your Voice’ - a new support group to assist those in the transgender community with voice and communication skills.

The group’s first session was held Saturday, March 17.  All sessions will be held on the third Saturday of every month from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at SLI’s facility at 8380 Old York Road, Suite 2100 in Elkins Park, Pa.

Led by clinical educator Judith Koza, MA, CCC-SLP, the group’s purpose is to provide transgender individuals an opportunity to practice voice techniques and other gender-specific communication skills.

“We are offering individual therapy as well as group therapy free of charge in this unique setting,” Koza said. “We hope to encourage the use of voice techniques, non-verbal communication strategies and provide a supportive social forum for the transgender community.”

Participants are also encouraged to share their personal experiences with others in the group as they work towards accomplishing their communication goals.

 “Transgender voice assessment and intervention is a specialty area in the field of speech-language pathology and this group was developed to meet the needs of a traditionally underserved community,” said SLI clinical director Bob Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP.

The support group aims to be a resource for members of the transgender community as well as a teaching ground for speech-language pathology students in Salus University’s College of Education and Rehabilitation.

“I gained new knowledge of a speech-language pathologist’s role in treating members of the transgender community,” said Max Saeger, ’19SLP. “I hope that more people find out about the ‘Raise Your Voice’ support group and feel comfortable to come and share their story.”

For more information about the group, contact 215-780.3150 and click here to follow ‘Raise Your Voice’ on Facebook.