An SLP’s Journey into Voice Therapy

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist | Pediatric Voice Disorders | Transgender Voice | Clinical Educator

For Danielle Devore, being a speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializing in pediatric and transgender voice therapy is nothing short of amazing. But is that all she does? Not even close! In addition to her work as a clinician, Danielle is also a clinical educator, a contractor for bilingual evaluations, a presenter, and a publisher alongside her otolaryngologist team. Her passion is infectious, and she has a way of making you believe that, with dedication, anything is possible in the field of speech-language pathology.

A Career Born from Curiosity

Danielle didn’t always know she’d be an SLP. In fact, teaching was the career path most people suggested for her, but the thought of managing a whole classroom didn’t quite feel right. Then, someone mentioned speech-language pathology—a career that blended teaching with a more individualized approach. Intrigued, she took an introductory course, and everything just clicked. She said, “It came easy to me; it was interesting, and the information was easy to retain.”  With her new found love for phonology, language development, and linguistics, she knew she had found her new major.

Becoming a Bilingual SLP

College gave Danielle an opportunity to blend her two love of Spanish with her new found love of speech pathology.  In addition to that, she also decided to take a six-week study abroad trip to Costa Rica, where she lived with a host family and was fully immersed in the language. The experience skyrocketed her fluency, making her a stronger communicator. After returning, she worked as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) while earning her master’s degree. Her bilingual skills later proved invaluable in her career, allowing her to serve a diverse range of students and clients.

Discovering the World of Voice Therapy

Danielle didn’t originally set out to specialize in voice therapy—it found her. Fresh out of graduate school, she started working at a hospital with pediatric patients, just as the facility was launching a brand-new voice clinic. An otolaryngologist leading the initiative needed an SLP to join the team, and Danielle jumped at the opportunity. She didn’t feel confident at first, but was eager to learn. 

That first year was a deep dive into courses, hands-on training, and teamwork. Now, in the voice clinic, she collaborates closely with otolaryngologists and nurses, helping young patients navigate their therapy. Whether it’s assessing vocal nodules or guiding a child through stroboscopy, she’s there every step of the way, using visuals, encouragement, and clear instructions to make the process smoother.

Transitioning into Transgender Voice Therapy

Danielle’s expertise in voice therapy eventually led her to work with transgender clients. Her clinic began receiving referrals, and she saw a unique opportunity to help. But transgender voice therapy is more than just adjusting pitch. “It’s about the full picture,” she explains. “Intonation, hand gestures, nonverbal communication—these all influence how a person’s voice is perceived.”

For many transgender clients, achieving a voice that aligns with their gender identity is life-changing. Some, especially transgender women, worry about being misgendered over the phone, where voice is the only cue. Therapy focuses on consistency and confidence, helping clients reach a point where they feel at home in their own voice. The process can take months or even years, but for many, the results are liberating. “Voice is identity,” Danielle says. “When clients reach their goals, it’s a huge moment.”

Educating Future Clinicians

After years of clinical work, Danielle stepped into teaching, mentoring graduate students.. At first, she worried about the transition—would she be able to balance guiding students without overwhelming them? But she quickly found a rhythm, making sure to foster a learning space that’s both structured and supportive.

For Danielle, teaching isn’t just about dumping knowledge onto her students, It’s about creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. She keeps her door open—both literally and figuratively—ensuring her students always have a place to turn when they need guidance.

Advice for Aspiring Voice Therapists

For those looking to specialize in voice therapy, Danielle’s advice is simple: build a strong foundation in language development and seek hands-on experience. She recommends continuing education courses and working in private clinics that treat voice disorders to gain practical skills.

A Lasting Impact

Danielle is proud of the growing diversity in the field of speech-language pathology and the impact she’s able to make on both her clients and students. Seeing transgender clients reach their voice goals and watching students grow into confident clinicians makes all the hard work worth it.

Through her work in pediatric and transgender voice therapy, Danielle Devore is proving that speech-language pathology is about so much more than just pitch—it’s about empowerment, identity, and transformation.