Welcome back to another episode of the SLP Full Disclosure podcast. In Episode 144, host Michelle sits down with Maurice Goodwin, a licensed speech-language pathologist and voice teacher based in Houston, Texas. Maurice is the founder of Goodwin Voice and Speech, adjunct faculty at Lamar University and Marymount University, and a specialist in voice and upper airway disorders. Together, they pull back the curtain on a subspecialty that many SLPs rarely encounter—and explain why that needs to change.
Maurice shares his unique path into speech pathology—from vocal performance and music in undergrad to becoming a voice specialist who works with professional singers, performers, and medical patients alike. The conversation covers the full spectrum of voice disorders, diagnostic tools (many of them free), therapy approaches for pediatric and adult clients, and the critical importance of medical collaboration. Michelle also opens up about her own post-surgical voice experience, making for a candid and relatable discussion. Whether you're a new grad, a school-based SLP who has never seen a voice referral, or a seasoned clinician curious about expanding your scope, this episode delivers practical insight and genuine encouragement.
Key Takeaways
Voice Is a Broader Scope Than Most SLPs Realize: Voice disorders range from nodules and muscle tension dysphonia to neurologic conditions like spasmodic dysphonia, head and neck cancer, and post-surgical dysphonia. Hospital-based clinics manage the most medically complex cases, but community-based and school SLPs have real opportunities for early impact.
Free Tools Exist for Voice Diagnostics: The CAPE-V, the GRBAS scale, pediatric patient-reported outcome measures, and Praat acoustic analysis software are all accessible and implementable without expensive equipment.
Move Away from "Stop It" Therapy: Rather than telling clients what not to do, effective voice therapy focuses on active skill-building—using play-based activities, shaping voice behavior in real contexts, and teaching healthy voice use.
Voice Therapy Is Not Harmful, but It Can Be Unhelpful: Without complete diagnostics or a clear understanding of the etiology, therapy may not produce results. Good diagnostics and medical collaboration are key to ensuring intervention is targeted and effective.
SLPs Are Professional Voice Users Too: Using your voice for eight to 10 hours a day in clinical and social settings adds up. Awareness, balance, and rest are foundational to vocal health for clinicians themselves.
The Research Is Positive: Evidence supports that when SLPs are involved—whether through indirect hygiene-based approaches or direct voice exercises—clients improve. The data is encouraging.
Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction: Michelle welcomes Maurice Goodwin and shares his background
00:02:11 – Maurice's origin story: from vocal performer to speech-language pathologist
00:03:39 – Inside a hospital-based voice clinic: what clients and diagnoses look like
00:06:08 – What therapy looks like for medical voice patients vs. professional performers
00:08:35 – Diagnostics in the school setting: free tools and accessible resources
00:12:44 – What voice therapy looks like for pediatric clients
00:14:44 – The problem with "stop it" therapy and why active therapy wins
00:15:39 – Unpacking the statement: "Voice therapy is not harmful, but may not be helpful"
00:17:10 – The medical diagnosis gap: why laryngeal imaging matters
00:18:27 – Michelle's personal experience with post-surgical dysphonia
00:22:42 – Vocal health for SLPs: voice fatigue, balance, and knowing when to rest
00:25:17 – ASHA resources, perspectives, and the practice portal for voice disorders
00:27:37 – Advice for new grads and early-career SLPs interested in voice
Resources Mentioned
CAPE-V (Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice) – Free auditory-perceptual rating scale for documenting voice quality https://www.asha.org/form/cape-v/
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