About
Hello, I am Pamela Horenstein, a California-licensed Speech/Language Pathologist with over 30 years of industry experience. I received both my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University. I am a member of the American Speech And Hearing Association (ASHA) and my practice is in alignment with both the ASHA and California State Board code of ethics. My career launched into working in the skilled nursing industry. I did extensive work for the Hillhaven Corporation and was given the responsibility of Speech Director in the main San Francisco Rehabilitation site. Most recently, I retired from Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center after 23 dedicated years of service. While serving there, I not only successfully served thousands of patients over the years with individual therapy, but also co-developed a very successful outpatient voice clinic for the Department of Public Health, that included gender-affirming vocal coaching. During my tenure, I provided education and training to staff, interns, as well as developed and delivered webinars for the Department of Public Health. I have been a guest lecturer for UC Berkeley, UCSF, SFSU and CCSF nursing programs, as well as for many foundations. My dynamic personality and warm approach, allows for immediate rapport and comfort.
Participating in therapy with me is authentic, collaborative, effective, and successful. Each individual is treated with respect and is given the best attention. I am excited to have YOU as a client and will offer appropriate therapy, extensive support and recommendations throughout the therapeutic or coaching journey. I am here to help you have your voice heard.
Areas of focus:
- Voice therapy
- Gender Affirming Vocal coaching Cognitive-linguistic therapy
- Modification of accents/ articulation improvement
- Speech/Language therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Speech -Language Pathologist
A speech and language Pathologist evaluates and treats in the areas of communication, cognition, and voice. Treatment programs are designed to help coach the transgender, non-binary and gender fluid community in order to find communication and identity congruency via an intensive vocal coaching program. Also treatment programs include helping clients affected by stroke, brain injury, head and neck cancer, voice disturbances and other neurological disorders. Treatment also incorporates family/ caregiver training, support and participation as needed.
- Voice and communication modification for the transgender, non-binary and gender fluid community: Treatment includes, breath, pitch, resonance, intonation, rate, non verbal and articulation work.
- Cognitive Impairment: treatment for memory, attention, problem-solving sequencing, and reasoning
- Aphasia: treatment for understanding and/or expressing language following brain injury. Treatment includes speech/language tasks, word finding, strategies for expansion of both speaking and understanding in varied communication situations.
- Apraxia: treatment for speech impairment related to the motor programming of articulation
- Dysarthria: treatment for speech impairment related to the muscles of articulation
- Voice disorders: treatment to improve vocal intensity, vocal quality, and/or vocal range.
What is a voice disorder and how might you sound and feel?
A voice disorder can come about when there is vocal overuse, singing for lengthy periods of time, yelling at a concert, or even constant clearing of the throat. It also can come from trauma, head injury, stroke that causes nerve weakness or damage to the vocal cords. Your voice may sound hoarse, harsh, breathy, shaky and you may feel like you can’t catch your breath when speaking, or that you run out of air. It can be scary for some and also quite emotional for others. Our voice is one of our stronger connections to the world.
What to do?
First, go to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT or Otolaryngologist) and get your vocal cords examined. Speech Pathologist do require that you see a physician first before any voice evaluation or treatment.
What to expect?
You will learn appropriate vocal exercises to help engage in proper breathing, release of vocal tension, and to develop a strong and healthy voice. You will also learn about how the voice works, the importance of vocal care, and the mind-body connection between voice and emotion. I will Taylor make a program right for you so that you can finally relax and speak without pain or strain.
- Evaluation – 60 -90 minutes
- Therapy session 50 minutes
- Duration of therapy varies
What is gender affirming voice therapy coaching?
Therapy or coaching that helps align voice and communication with gender identity. Learning how to have and incorporate vocal variation that includes; pitch and resonance, articulation and other communication nuances.
When is it right time to begin gender affirming voice therapy?
Anytime after you have been cleared an ENT to assure that your vocal cords are healthy, we will be on the way to reach your vocal goals. What is needed You will need a cell phone or computer to download Apps for both measuring vocal range as well as for self practice.
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below. For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest hospital