42 | Q4 2021 Sep21497 Based in London, Christella Antoni offers speech and voice assessments and training through her firm, Christella Antoni & Associates. We speak to Christella and find out more. Christella Antoni is a state registered speech and language therapist who specialises in the field of voice and speech work, offering specialist voice assessment and treatment to adults with voice difficulties, or individuals looking to modify their voice and/or speech. Her services in voice and speech are geared to assist clients experiencing a range of issues including voice loss or voice difficulties; voice identity issues; dysfluency or stammering; and sound production difficulties. “Our mission is to assist all clients to achieve their voice and speech goals allowing them to reach their full vocal and social potential in a supportive way that builds their ability, confidence and social comfort,” Christella explains. “Achieving effective outcomes for clients, accessibility to treatment, inclusion, respect for each individual’s identity and selfdefined goals form the basis of our core values. These have remained constant since the practice began with accessibility continuing to expand with services available via remote sessions.” As remote online sessions were also an option pre Covid-19, Christella found that there was a smooth transition to offering all her treatment programmes remotely during lockdowns and times of social distancing. A standout characteristic of the practice is the 24 years of clinical and practical experience of Christella Antoni. This ensures high quality therapy and outcomes for clients. Christella has a unique combination of skills in the range and length of both her private practice and NHS service, providing the practice with a unique set of services. These range from working with voice disorders of medical origin, performance voice and trans and gender diverse voice services. “The effectiveness of the treatment programmes are evidenced by the voice/speech recordings we gather at the start of treatment and at the end. Our data collection includes the clients own subjective views to ensure outcomes are linked to client goals, requirements and aspirations.” Christella has noticed several new trends emerging of late, including the aforementioned move to sessions being remote and taking place online. However a significant trend is that glottoplasty, a specialist surgery to assist with voice feminisation, has become more available in London which has in turn led to an influx of new referrals, from both the ENT surgeons and self-referrals from clients seeking pre and post-surgical management and further voice enhancement. Christella Antoni Voice & Speech services is the only London and UK-wide service that offers pre and post glottoplasty care for clients. “Many individuals used lockdown periods as a way of seeking voice and speech services and had more time to focus on this and practice,” says Christella. “Circumstances such as these resulted in a wider range and greater level of work coming our way.” The internal culture of the firm is one of supportive and effective skill building, both for clients and the clinicians offering all the treatment programmes. All clinicians attend training courses devised by Christella and she also carries out a period of direct observation and case studies as well as oneto-one individual training on the job. When saying ‘yes’ to clinicians who ask to work at the practice, Christella considers enthusiastic and motivated therapists willing to undertake the necessary period of postgraduate one-toone training. “Personal characteristics of supporting diversity, inclusion and equality are central to being accepted as practitioners in our firm. Individual talents and interests are nurtured to help the clinicians reach their full professional potential. “The focus is on client self-defined goals, encouragement and confidence building similarly, associate clinicians who work at the practice are offered an unparalleled level of individual support to develop their skills and careers.” Recently, Christella Antoni Voice & Speech Services was recognised in the SME News Southern Enterprise Awards and presented with the Innovation Excellence Award for Speech & Voice Therapy Delivery 2021. Regarding the future, Christella anticipates a growing demand for services both from within the UK and internationally due to the advantages for clients of attending for online sessions. Future projects include research projects in the efficacy of treatment approaches used within her clinic and collaborating with overseas colleagues in joint research to enhance clinical practice worldwide. “In the remainder of 2021, we plan to continue work on new online resources for both clients and clinicians as well as start work on new resources. I will complete two writing projects for two USA collaborations - one about pitchbased therapies for a forthcoming textbook and another regarding glottoplasty for an otorhinolaryngology journal.” Contact: Christella Antoni Company: Christella Antoni Voice & Speech Services Web Address: www.christellaantoni.co.uk Innovation Excellence Award for Speech & Voice Therapy Delivery 2021 Christella Antoni & Associates
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