FAQ

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR ALL APPOINTMENT TYPES:

NO CHARGE: 24 hours' notice is required to cancel appointments (whether virtual or in-person) from January through November.

50% OF SESSION FEE CHARGE: Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged 50% of the full rate for that session.

100% OF SESSION FEE CHARGE: Missed appointments ("no shows" without notice within 15 minutes prior to or after the appointment start time) are billed at 100%, or the full session rate.

DECEMBER CANCELLATION POLICY: In December only, the cancellation policy changes to 48 hours' notice required to cancel without charge because everyone wants a spot before their insurance turns over - so appointments are highly coveted! Let's do what we can to get everyone seen and all appointments used!

As always, see the Health Policy in Policies and Procedures at melanietapson.com/policies for important information on deciding when you're too sick to attend your session. Often times, and depending on the nature of the illness, it's actually best to see your therapist virtually so we can help you navigate your voice through illness carefully! And never hesitate to reach out if you need help.

If you cannot attend your video session due to an emergency and find yourself unexpectedly within the 24 hours' cancellation policy, contact me at admin@melanietapson.com. We'll do whatever we can to pivot with you.

Thank you!

Yes - and more! Like other health care professionals, speech-language pathologists must be licensed by the regulatory body, the College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists of Ontario (www.caslpo.com) in order to practice. I have my MSc in speech language pathology, I’m licensed by CASLPO to work in Ontario, registered with SAC (Speech Language and Audiology Canada), and I have a certificate of clinical competence from ASHA (the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association).

I also completed my BEd at OISE and held an Ontario College of Teachers certificate until I wasn't teaching in the public school system any longer. I have a love of curriculum design, adult learning and development, and driving behavioural change, all of which I began exploring in my teacher training.

I also hold a Certificate in Performing Arts Health from the Performing Arts Medicine Association in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine, and I was one of the very first 14 voice professionals to receive the PAVA Recognized Vocologist or PAVA-RV designation in 2022.

Currently, all sessions are still virtual, so they're as accessible as they can be!

When in-person visits are deemed safe and appropriate again by the SLP College (CASLPO), I'll be offering sessions in my sunny private music studio in Riverside, just east of downtown Toronto. It features a beautiful upright piano, electronic drum kit, amplifiers for your guitars, vocal microphones, full length mirrors, and space to move comfortably while vocalizing. There is a private washroom available, and you don’t need to worry about sound transfer while you’re vocalizing because the studio isn't attached to any neighbours! Unfortunately, there are two stairs to get into the building, so it is not currently wheelchair accessible, but please contact me if you need wheelchair accessibility to discuss options.

When in-person appointments are appropriate (considering current covid19 recommendations), I do sometimes offer on-site appointments for specific needs.

On those occasions, based on a plan we create together, I may visit you on site, on location, at the theatre, on set, in your classroom, in your boardroom, or wherever you use your voice for special sessions, schedule and location permitting. (A travel fee applies to on-site appointments; both schedule and cost will always be discussed prior to booking an on-site appointment.)

As well, when/if in-person sessions are possible but coming to my studio location is prohibitive, virtual therapy will always be made available as an option for you.

The short answer is yes! In particular, I prioritize appointments for performers of any age (including pre-professional, semi-professional, or intensive).

The longer answer is still yes! If your child has a voice concern, no matter what the nature, I am happy to discuss whether this is the right fit and can help facilitate an appropriate pediatric laryngology evaluation if necessary. In particular, if your child is interested in pursuing semi- or professional singing and acting, or if your child is seeking a more congruent voice as part of their gender transition, because there are so few services available in Toronto in these areas, I will do everything I can to make sure you can get an appointment as soon as possible. Parents are expected to attend and participate in activities with the clinician and child to maximize the impact of therapy, and home programming is an integral part of therapy for both the child and others where they live.

I am also happy to come on your child's voice care team as a consultant to work with any professional (including their speech pathologist) to help ensure they are getting the voice services they need.

While all speech language pathologists are trained to assess and treat a wide range of speech and language related disorders, many SLPs choose to narrow the focus of their practice so they can dive more deeply into those areas. You want an SLP who is confident and competent in the area you need help. My practice focuses almost exclusively on voice & voice disorders, accent & dialect work, and professional communication. If you have another type of speech or language concern, go to www.osla.on.ca or www.caslpo.com to find a clinician who can help you meet your goals.

The initial assessment is one hour. Together, after the initial assessment, we will discuss a plan to help you achieve your goals, and we'll work collaboratively to determine what works best for you in terms of therapy options.

Plans & options for voice therapy and/or voice work can include:

one-to-one intensive direct therapy (45 min sessions or 3 x 15 minute sessions weekly plus home programming
masterclass style group therapy (60 or 90 min weekly sessions with a small community of others who share similar goals, plus home programming)
do-it-yourself voice work in a unique membership with access to heaps of amazing self-directed content plus weekly coaching calls and a community of like-minded voice enthusiasts
single sessions (determined in the assessment and based on specific goals and needs)
something else we design together to get you to where you want to be!

If you're ready to take the plunge and realize your voice dreams, electing to do voice therapy requires a 3 month commitment because I want you to get results. Experience tells us that people can make big, bold changes in one session, but if you want those changes to stick, and if you want to fulfill your goals, it takes time and commitment to the process. You'll have big 3 month overarching goals we'll work towards, as well as monthly and weekly mini goals to help you succeed. But don't worry; I'll never lock you in to something you don't need or can't use. Even though I ask you to make a 3 month commitment to yourself and your goals, if you reach your goals early, you're done! And you can always cancel at any time if you need to, so long as you follow the current cancellation policy.

At the end of each session, we’ll review your progress and goals to help you keep your eye on the prize and determine together how much more support you require going forward together.

For more detailed information, click here.

The initial assessment is 60 minutes long, and includes a full and very thorough case history where we explore what is contributing to your voice complaint, a perceptual voice assessment, an objective voice assessment by way of a voice recording and both computer and clinician analysis, a manual assessment of your larynx and the muscles surrounding it, an evaluation of your posture and breathing, as well as anything else that you want to ensure is addressed. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and set goals together with your therapist. At the end of the assessment, you’ll review the results of the assessment and recommendations to arrive at a plan together with your therapist for meeting your goals. You’ll be given therapeutic exercises to begin where possible, and you’ll have a clear set of next steps to help you achieve your best voice.

24 hours’ notice is required to cancel appointments. Missed appointments (“no shows” without notice prior to the appointment start time) will be charged at the full rate; appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged 50% of the full rate for that session. For important information on deciding when you're too sick to come to a session, see the Health Policy in the Policies and Procedures document here.

During peak seasons (e.g., the second half of December when everyone wants to use up their insurance and appointments are hard to come by), or when the waitlist is longer than 8 weeks, the cancellation policy changes to 48 hours' notice required to cancel appointments. However, you'll always receive notice via email of this change if you are an active client.

Rates are set based on guidelines published by SAC-OSLA (the Ontario Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists' arm of Speech Language and Audiology Canada), and vary depending on length of session, location, and/or requested/necessary documentation. They also take into account a clinician's training and experience.

The first step to working with me is a comprehensive one-hour assessment at $225. You'll receive a plan to get you to your voice goals, and first steps on that pathway so you can get started right away. We decide together what the best therapeutic approach is to address your specific needs. But no matter how you choose to work with me, if you do direct voice therapy, the fee is just $190/week. Whether that's a weekly 45-minute session, 3 15-minute sessions across the week for greater accountability, or a customized combination of face-to-face and asynchronous home programming, you get to choose the path towards your goals that works best for your learning style and the fee is the same because the transformation is always the same - you just choose the path you take to love your voice!

Sometimes, a completely bespoke program needs to be created to address your individual voice concerns. If so, we will discuss the plan and cost together in consideration of your goals and any other factors, including financial, that you bring to the discussion.

You can always choose to add on additional laser coaching sessions in 15 min blocks at $60 if you need clarity, to get back on track, or want to accelerate your progress.

If you are a singer or are seeking gender affirming voice care and have financial constraints or any concerns that voice therapy may not be accessible to you, please do not hesitate to reach out. I can help point you to resources or options that may work better for you. Just fill out the contact form here. I will do everything I can to help you find a solution that fits within your means.

Voice therapy is not covered by OHIP, but most supplemental insurance programs offer coverage for speech therapy/speech pathology, which means you can submit your receipts from appointments with me to your insurance for reimbursement. You may also want to check to see whether your supplemental insurance company requires a doctor’s referral before you can submit your receipts for reimbursement.

If you are a performer with ACTRA or Equity insurance, I can help you navigate your insurance plan and offer options that fit within your coverage.

Ideally, yes. But not just any ENT; you should be seen by a laryngologist whose specialty is voice and who can perform stroboscopy. It’s important to have a laryngologist visualize your vocal cords (your “voice box”) to rule out anything structural or medical, and to help me create the most effective and efficient therapy plan. If you need help finding a laryngologist, contact me. Even if you haven’t seen a laryngologist yet, we can still get the ball rolling on therapy; contact me to find out what your best next steps should be.