Biodynamic Manual Voice Therapy (BMVT) is a gentle hands-on, integrated approach used to address the structural components related to vocal function, speech and swallowing. The word “bio” means life and “dynamic” refers to motion, change and progress. In BMVT, the therapist works in tandem with the patient to improve mobility, symmetry, coordination and strength in the structures necessary for respiration, phonation, articulation, resonance and swallowing. Function is restored through seamless integration of a variety of manual therapy techniques, including Myofascial Release (MFR), Strain-Counterstrain (SCS), Muscle Energy (ME), Visceral Manipulation (VM) and Craniosacral Therapy (CST).
Students will be taught palpation skills, as there is a great deal of emphasis on developing sensitivity as a means for specific evaluation and treatment.
BMVT is a holistic therapy. Students will also learn to facilitate healing and growth by supporting the mind, emotions and spiritual health of their patients.
Are you ready to:
* EXPLORE the possibilities of what a gentle manual therapy approach can offer?
* ENGAGE in cutting edge healing modalities for voice, speech, and swallowing.
*ESTABLISH a firm foundation and understanding of respiratory, phonatory, articulatory and swallowing anatomy and physiology?
* EXPERIENCE what inner listening can provide to you and your patients?
* ENJOY providing and receiving healing touch?
CLOSED for 2024: Biodynamic Manual Voice Therapy Level I course September 19-20 2024. (This Class is Full. mgfava@clearvoicetherapy.com to be added to the waitlist)
Online follow up Thursday September 26 6:30-8:30 pm
Place: 433 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
Cost: $695
This 2 day workshop introduces the speech therapist to an integrated manual therapy approach that includes multiple hands-on modalities to address the structures related to respiration, phonation and swallowing. This is an opportunity to develop skills that you can use with your patients or students first day back in the office or clinic. It is a unique manual therapy offering specifically for SLP’s by a SLP (although voice teachers, massage therapists, OT and PT’s are welcome!).
What makes Biodynamic Manual Voice Therapy offerings unique?
- Small group size to enhance more connection and learning
- Integrated approach to manual therapy (beyond MFR)
- Trauma informed
- Skills for self-manual therapy to help you AND your patients
- Emphasis on manual therapy assessment and goals
- Hierarchy of patient needs
- Developed and taught by a SLP Voice Specialist
- Embodied practices on and off the table
How to register:
1. Email me to let me know you intend to register.
2. Once you let me know I will respond to let you know you can make payment and there is room in the class.
3. Payment can be made with Zelle using: mgfava@clearvoicetherapy.com
Or by check to Clear Voice Therapy, 433 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
**If you must use a credit card, you can do so through PayPal (mgfava@clearvoicetherapy.com). Please add $20 processing fee prior to making that payment.
Cancellation Policy/Covid Policy/Waitlist:
Because this is such a small class, cancellations can be made until July 1st for a full refund (unless using credit card). After July 1st there will be no refund; however, you can transfer your enrollment to another person (in other words get another person to fill your spot).
If we need to cancel a BMVT course for any reason, a full tuition reimbursement will be issued for each participant. However please be aware that we are not liable for any costs other than for the tuition already paid including any travel expenses or lost fees.
If the course fills there will be a waitlist.
Agenda/Contact Hours
This 2 day course will be offered for 14.5 contact hours. This includes the 2 hour online follow up. I will provide a certificate of completion which can be used to self-report participation to ASHA if desired.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify different types and purposes of Biodynamic Manual Therapy
- Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, phonatory, resonatory, articulatory and nervous system
- Describe the implications for Biodynamic Manual Therapy as related to specific voice and swallowing disorders
- Apply Biodynamic Manual Therapy Evaluation and Treatment techniques for each sub-system as demonstrated
- Complete a 6-step protocol appropriate for your voice/speech/swallow patient
Local Accommodations:
The Wedding Cake House is the closest accommodation and is a block away with lovely rooms ( beautifully renovated place with interesting architecture and art- no TV’s). You have to call and say you are enrolled in BMVT class to book the room (401)-524-1417. The link to check out the place- That link is here. There are a limited number of rooms available.
OPEN: Biodynamic Manual Voice Therapy Level 2 course November 7-9, 2024
Registration is open for this 3-day class (+ online follow up) Online follow up Thursday November 14th 6:30-8:30 pm
Place: 433 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
Cost: $895
*There are two spots for those who wish to re-take the course (If you have already taken BMVT2) at 50% off the regular rate ($447.50)
This 3-day workshop focuses on integrated manual therapy techniques to address voice, breathing and swallowing disorders. We will address the areas of rib cage, larynx, jaw, palate and nervous system through positional therapy, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, contract relax technique and “gentle” graded mobilization. Focus will be on hands-on evaluation to identify areas of greatest dysfunction and to help determine appropriate treatment strategies. Trauma and the impact of trauma will be discussed. Exercises as well as hands-on techniques for reducing overwhelm and creating nervous system balance and the conditions for healing (for voice, swallowing, breathing dysfunctions) will be taught. The first two days will end with an additional hour of guided practice of skills taught each day.
How to register:
1. Email me to let me know you intend to register.
2. Once you let me know I will respond to let you know you can make payment and there is room in the class.
3. Payment can be made with Zelle using: mgfava@clearvoicetherapy.com Or by check to Clear Voice Therapy, 433 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
**If you must use a credit card, you can do so through PayPal (mgfava@clearvoicetherapy.com).Please add $25 processing fee prior to making that payment.
Cancellation Policy/Waitlist:
Because this is such a small class, cancellations can be made until September 1st for a full refund (unless using credit card). After September 1st there will be no refund; however, you can transfer your enrollment to another person (in other words get another person to fill your spot).
If we need to cancel a BMVT course for any reason, a full tuition reimbursement will be issued for each participant. However please be aware that we are not liable for any costs other than for the tuition already paid including any travel expenses or lost fees.
Agenda/Contact Hours:
This course will be offered for 20.5 contact hours which includes the online follow up. A certificate of completion will be provided which can be used to self-report participation to ASHA if desired.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe at least 3 ways to influence the respiratory system with manual therapy.
- Explain Contract Relax Technique and Positional Therapy and describe when to utilize them.
- Discuss evaluation and treatment techniques using manual therapy and explain how this can help with voice, breathing and swallowing disorders.
- Describe which manual therapy techniques can be used to target muscles of mastication.
- Discuss different ways to influence the laryngeal muscles using manual therapy.
- Apply Manual Therapy Evaluation and Treatment techniques as demonstrated.
BRAND NEW:Biodynamic Manual Voice Therapy Level 3 course December 5-7, 2024
Registration is open for this 3-day class (+ online follow up) Online follow up Thursday December 12th 6:30-8:30 pm
Place: 433 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
Cost: $895
This new 3-day workshop expands on an integrated approach to address the upper airway and voice. We will add visceral work for thoracic and abdominal organs, in order to support the nervous system, voice, breathing, and digestion. We will also learn ways to help drain the sinuses. There will be an opportunity to deepen evaluation skills. The first two days will end with an additional hour of guided practice of skills taught each day.
How to register:
THE 2024 CLASS IS FULL. To be added to the waitlist, please email us.
Cancellation Policy/Waitlist:
Because this is such a small class, cancellations can be made until October 1st for a full refund (unless using credit card). After October 1st there will be no refund; however, you can transfer your enrollment to another person (in other words get another person to fill your spot).
If we need to cancel a BMVT course for any reason, a full tuition reimbursement will be issued for each participant. However please be aware that we are not liable for any costs other than for the tuition already paid including any travel expenses or lost fees.
Agenda/Contact Hours
This course will be offered for 20.5 contact hours which includes the online follow up. A certificate of completion will be provided which can be used to self-report participation to ASHA if desired.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe at least 3 ways to influence digestion with manual therapy.
- Discuss and demonstrate sinus release techniques and how they are clinically relevant.
- Discuss and demonstrate techniques that influence the nervous system.
- Perform intra-oral manual therapy techniques and explain how they can facilitate voice, speech and swallowing function..
- Describe how a trauma informed approach can help patients engage and participate more fully in voice and speech therapy.
- Apply Manual Therapy Evaluation and Treatment techniques as demonstrated.
BMVT Certification
BMVT certification will allow you to:
- increase your skill level by mastering the techniques taught in all three workshops
- gain confidence in the techniques through classes, private Q+As and one-on-one personal sessions
- share your expertise with current and future clients; show them you are committed to learning
- Stay tuned for complete information on criteria for certification!
Subscribe
To stay informed about upcoming workshops please join the mailing list below:
Workshop Testimonials
“I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your workshop. I have attended several hands-on training with SLP’s and yours was the best organized and monitored … The fact that there were two of you closely monitoring the room so any uncertainty, question or level of contact was monitored was exceptional. Thank you. I hope to be able to attend round 2.”
— Marina Gilman, MM, MA, CCC-SLP —
“As a singing voice teacher, I work alongside laryngologists and voice therapists helping injured singers regain their voice, as well as work with high-level Broadway performers. The hands-on work I learned with BMVT Level I has absolutely changed my practice. The work is extraordinary for injured singers who almost always come with excessive, compensatory tension. They are shocked at how good they feel once they get off the table and start singing again. They can feel, sometimes for the first time in a long time, how it feels to sing without the excess tensions they used for so long. I’ve also been looking for ways to help my Broadway performers navigate the fatigue and residual tension that comes from performing 8 shows a week (plus press events, rehearsals, etc.) and BMVT is the solution.”
— Amanda Flynn, Voice teacher, Vocologist —
“This is a great course, I highly recommend it. The small group set up allows ample of hands on and individual attention and feedback. Michele is very knowledgeable and has developed a simple effective protocol to follow in addition to many more manual techniques.”
— Hadas Golan, MS CCC-SLP —
“I highly recommend this course! Very important tools to have!!!! After I took Michele’s course I began using these techniques on almost ALL my voice patients!!!!! And Michele is an amazing teacher!”
— Barbara F. Worth MS CCC-SLP —