Psychosocial Perspectives on the Management of Voice Disorders - Janet Baker

Jan Baker, a world-renowned expert in this field, clearly, succinctly, and authoritatively presents clinical and empirical evidence for psychosocial factors related to the onset, aggravation, and outcomes of functional and organic voice disorders, and offers treatment strategies and approaches that are centred not only on traditional approaches to voice therapy, but also incorporate and demonstrate appropriate models of counselling.

Rigorously researched and reviewed, the book is divided into two parts. The first features overviews of various models of counselling and psychotherapy, with particular emphasis on the principles of systems theory and family therapy practice. Psychosocial factors that become evident during the different stages of voice therapy are discussed, including ways in which these issues may shape the therapeutic process and influence longer-term outcomes.

In the second part, Dr Baker presents practical guidelines for speech-language pathologists to integrate appropriate counselling strategies in their voice work, with clinical vignettes to illustrate and support these approaches. These strategies are presented in a way that is in keeping with the professional scope of speech and language pathology practice, with criteria for recognizing the need for supervision, collaboration with other mental health professionals, or referring on.