Meet Jenny Matthews
Enhance Your Voice | Enhance Your Relationships
Trust Your Voice To A Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Speech Therapy To Optimise Your Voice
Welcome to Bayside Voice Centre. We provide quality, local education and therapeutic services for organisations and community members in the Bayside and
South East-Brisbane.
Jenny Matthews is the Owner, Director and Senior Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with 20+ years of experience in clinical, managerial and supervisory roles within the education, disability and private sectors.
Jenny has built her ‘Superpowers’ from the first-hand perspective she experienced through:
- learning challenges from primary-tertiary schooling as a student
- mental wellness journey in her career as a Speechie and Mother
- navigation and advocacy for medical, allied health and school support for her
children - empowerment through understanding with a diagnosis of ADHD for herself.
Find out about Jenny’s story in the Amazon Bestselling book Illuminate Your
Feminessence, the Magazine Feminessence and Interview with Shar Moore on The Girlfriend Hour.
Voice
Jenny had an acting background in speech and drama before she graduated as a Speech Pathologist and has an ongoing love of music and theatre.
In 2018, Jenny expanded her scope, followed her dramatic passion, and opened her own private practice Bayside Voice Centre, to focus on speech pathology services for people with a voice disorder. Click here to find out about Jenny and what she can do for your VOICE.
Can any speech pathologist help your voice? What about a voice coach?
All speech pathologists receive some training in voice along with the other areas you may already be aware of (such as speech & language development in children).
A voice coach is likely to have practical experience in acting & singing.
You should look for someone who also has formal qualifications. These may range from a Certificate in Vocology to a Bachelor of Music, or Creative Arts (Acting) with Masters in Voice pedagogy.
A speech pathologist with further education in voice will provide the best option for people with a diagnosed voice disorder by an Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor and Professional Voice Users who have a higher demand on their voice because of their job.
Training and Certification
Jenny has undertaken voice-specific training over the past 7 years. Her training includes:
- Voicecraft
- Accent Method – A focus on correct breathing for optimal voice.
- Resonant Voice Therapy – This involves techniques to produce voice with increased vibrations in the midfacial region.
- Adventures in Voice for Kids – Program designed specifically for children, training them in how to produce normal and loud voice safely.
- Estill Voice Training – Voice training to empower your voice, for speakers and singers.
- PhoRTE – Evidence based program specifically designed for seniors with presbyphonia. Benefits may include reduced breathiness, clearer voice quality and increased volume.
- Respiratory Muscle Training – This can be effective for a number of client groups including those with Vocal Fold Dysfunction (VCD/ PVCD) , CPOD, and Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease. Training aims to strengthen the muscles used for breathing and speaking as well as swallowing and coughing.
- SPEAK OUT – The SPEAK OUT program for people with Parkinson’s Disease is an evidence-based program designed to help with voice issues. It can be an important strategy for continued social and community involvement. Find out how Speak Out can help improve voice difficulties.
Contact Jenny To Discuss Your Vocal Needs
Learn how to protect and optimise your voice
Qualifications and Memberships
Before graduating as a speech pathologist (University Of Queensland, 1999), Jenny had a background in acting and speech and drama. She is familiar with the demands professional voice users make of their voice and has the experience and understanding to help you achieve your voice goals in order to connect with the people that matter in your life.
Jenny is a registered speech therapy provider for Medicare, WorkCover, and the DVA (Department of Veteran Affairs).
As a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist, Jenny’s private speech therapy practise in Brisbane, provides all clients, young and old, with the opportunity to receive professional voice training or speech therapy to develop the voice they need for their chosen profession or pursuit of hobbies.
Jenny holds professional memberships with Speech Pathology Australia, the Australian Voice Association and the Laryngology Society of Australasia.
Experience In An Educational Context
For over 20 years, Jenny has worked in schools with both primary and secondary aged students, and alongside their teachers, in the area of language and literacy.
She has an in-depth understanding of the educational context and appreciation for school environments. Jenny knows first-hand the realities of being a classroom teacher and the demands teachers face on a daily basis.
Her experience enables Jenny to develop a holistic approach to voice health for teachers. She collaboratively develops strategies that support teachers to maintain a connection to their workplace, whilst improving their vocal health. Jenny is passionate about educating teachers about their vocal health and helping them to implement classroom strategies with voice safety in mind.
Jenny has current experience with best practises in literacy and behaviour management such as ‘Sound Write’ and ‘PLD’, so teachers can use the instructional literacy routines and scripts for their voice practice. As a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist she creates a supportive environment, that reflects each educational context, to support teachers’ vocal health.
Your Next Step To A More Confident, Enduring Voice
If you have a diagnosed vocal condition or you are aware of changes in your voice, maybe the quality of your voice is affecting your ability to carry out your day-to-day activities, there are things that you can do to make a difference and optimise your voice.
Initial Speech Assessment
To make an appointment with Jenny a referral is not necessary, however having a referral from your GP or ENT/Laryngologist, will enable you to be covered by Medicare Benefits. Otherwise, you can check with your private health insurance provider for your available coverage.
If you are concerned about the quality of your voice, an initial assessment will help to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your voice. Your initial consultation and voice assessment will involve some ‘measurements’ and analysis of your voice to determine the quality and vocal range of your voice. This is pain free and Jenny’s personable nature makes it a pleasant experience. From this assessment, Jenny will be able to provide a report for a referring practitioner and a program to help you achieve the voice you desire to have.
Individualised Vocal Program
From the inital voice assessment, Jenny will work out an individualised program to target your specific voice needs. This will involve voice sessions to learn vocal techniques and exercises to protect and strengthen your voice.
Improvements are often noticed within 2-4 weeks and as you continue to progress with the exercises your voice will gain strength, clarity and endurance to meet the demands of your profession.
Online or In Person
Appointments can be made for private speech therapy sessions at Bayside Voice Centre, through Telehealth or Jenny can travel to you in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs (a small travel fee may apply). For onsite workplace training for organisations or schools in the Greater Brisbane area contact Jenny to discuss available options.
Hear From Jenny
If you are referring a patient and would like to hear in more detail from Jenny about what she does and how she can support your patients, please watch the video below. If you have any questions, please call on (07) 3193 5436 or email.
Current Media Releases
The Girlfriend Hour
Watch Jenny’s interview with Shar Moore on The Girlfriend Hour as she discusses what motivated her to become a speech therapist and why finding your voice and learning how to use it well are so important.
KickAss Radio
Hear Jenny’s interview as a guest on KickAss Radio.
Feminessence Magazine
Find out more about Jenny’s story in the September 2021 issue of Feminessence Magazine.
