Meet Heather

Welcome to Idaho Face & Voice

• 30+ years of comprehensive, intuitive and personalized Speech Therapy care

• Expertise in disorders of voice, breathing, and the upper airway

• Facial Therapy Specialist

• Idaho-licensed and ASHA-certified

Extensive experience with the following:

• Occupational voice use (teachers, singers, sales, call center, attorneys, actors, clergy, etc.)
• Exercise Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
• Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO) and Laryngospasm, formerly Vocal Cord Dysfunction
• Chronic cough
• Gender affirming voice and communication training
• Globus Pharyngeus - “lump in throat” sensation
• Irritable Larynx Syndrome (ILS)
• Long COVID
• Peripheral Facial Nerve Injury - Bell’s Palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Acoustic Neuroma Resection, other
• Pulmonary compromised (Idiopathic dyspnea, CF, COPD/emphysema, RADS/chemical inhalation injury, adult onset asthma)

Specialty Training and Certifications

VOICE

• Behavioral and Qualitative Analysis of Voice and Resonance
• Casper-Stone Confidential Flow Therapy
• Conversation Training Therapy
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPRD) Management
• Gender Affirming Voice Training - OutCare Certified
• Laryngeal Function Studies - Acoustic and Aerodynamic Assessment of Voice
• Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy
• Manual Therapy and Myofascial Release
• Manual Circumlaryngeal Therapy (circumlaryngeal massage and manual laryngeal reposturing)
• Phonation Resistance Training Exercise (PhoRTE)
• Resistive Muscle Strength Training
• Semi Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises

BREATHING

• Assessment of Breathing Pattern Disorders
• Buteyko Breathing Method
• Exercise Induced Laryngeal Obstruction Biphasic Inspiratory (EILOBI) Breathing Training
• Functional Breathing Pattern Training
• Laryngeal Control Therapy
• Resistive Muscle Strength Training

UPPER AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

• Assessment of Breathing and Cough
• Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy
• Esophageal Dysphagia
• Globus Pharyngeus Behavioral Management
• Reflux Management
• Irritable Larynx Syndrome (ILS)

FACIAL RETRAINING

• Assessment and management of Facial Paralysis, Paresis (weakness), and Synkinesis
• Neuromuscular Retraining for Peripheral Nerve Dysfunction
• Management of Post Facial Paralysis Smile Dysfunction
• Assessment and Therapy Management of Facial Palsy in Children
• Post Operative Considerations in Facial Retraining Therapy
• Challenging Cases
• Temporomandibular Disorders and Facial Palsy
• Management of Upper Motor Neuron Facial Palsy

Heather uses evidence-based practice, patient-centered therapy, and a trauma-Informed model of care for optimal outcomes.

Education and Memberships

• Speech Language Pathology - University of North Texas (1992)
• Communication Sciences and Disorders - South Dakota State University (1990)
• American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) member
• ASHA’s Special Interest Group - Voice and Upper Airway Disorders member
• Facial Therapy Specialists International (FTSI) member
• Global Initiative for ILO (GIILO) member

Interests

With 25+ years in the performing arts, Heather has a special interest in helping singers attain their highest level of function and performance. She enjoys hiking in the Boise Foothills, gardening, and spending time with family.