James Smithson

Voice therapy, rehabilitation & coachinG in Manchester

James is a voice Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with passion for identity, expression, and vocal freedom.

However you use your voice: socially, presenting to clients, delivering sales pitches, running workshops, performing as a singer, actor or voice over artist, he offers person-centred and holistic solutions to take your speaking, singing or performance voice to the next level.

Specialising in clinical voice disorders, performance voice rehabilitation, and professional voice coaching, James provides a safe and relaxed space for you to realise your potential and truly free your voice.

How Vocability can help you

  • Voice consultation

    Expert exploration of your voice needs, where you’re struggling, and what your vocal goals are. The consultation can take place in person or online, and will cover all key aspects as well as a perceptual vocal and physical assessment if completed in-person.

  • Voice therapy

    James provides advanced management of a range of voice disorders, including muscle tension, vocal lesions, and psychologically driven presentations. Offered one-to-one in a comfortable and relaxed space just south of Manchester or online via Microsoft Teams, therapy will be tailored to you, your voice, and your vocal needs.

  • Actor, singer & performer rehab

    Assessment and management of your singing, acting, or performance voice. Addressing challenges including limited range, airflow difficulties, and strained projection.

  • Professional voice coaching

    Whether you perform on stage, behind a microphone, infront of the camera or if the board room, pitching space, or lecture hall is your domain, James can provide tailored coaching to enable you to make the most of your vocal potential. Offered in-person or online, sessions can offer general support, or give you expert guidance on a specific presentation, audition piece, or pitch.

A photograph of James, the Voice Therapist at Vocability, sitting at a table in a restaurant.

meet james

Originally from Leeds, James moved to London to train as an actor for stage and screen. Following a successful career as a voice over artist, he chose to blend his passion for vocal creativity with a strong desire to help others achieve their goals. As a Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, James works both privately as the founder of Vocability and within the NHS, providing voice therapy to a wide range of clients including those experiencing clinical voice disorders, psychogenic presentations, and professional voice users.

With a wealth of experience spanning marketing for international brands, the hospitality industry, and client service roles, James is understanding of your needs and the demands on your voice. Whatever your goal, whatever your role, and whatever you’re experiencing with your voice, Vocability can provide you with the tools to achieve vocal flexibility and freedom.

questions & answers

  • We’ve all experienced a hoarse voice after a big night out or when we’re unwell with a cold. However, people experiencing voice difficulties typically find their voice is consistently or intermittently problematic. This might affect the quality of the voice, the volume, pitch, vocal strength and stamina, and can even present as no voice at all. We typically call this ‘dysphonia’ if the voice has changed or ‘aphonia’ if there is complete lack of voice.

    What makes a voice disorder different to a change in quality when you have a cold is the consistency and impact of the problem. If your voice is affecting your social life, professional duties, ability to participate or how you feel about yourself, voice therapy with Vocability is a great way to improve your vocal quality and confidence.

  • Although sessions often involve exercises to improve alignment, airflow and laryngeal (voice box) efficiency, it’s often important to explore how we feel about the voice and how feelings of panic, anxiety, and fear can change how it sounds. Vocability offer therapy which is holistic and -centred, providing targeted support to improve the quality, stamina and strength of an individual’s voice, as well as building vocal confidence, reducing anxiety, and experiencing vocal freedom.

  • Vocability offers therapy for a wide range of presentations. If you feel your issues only affect your singing voice or only affect you when you’re projecting, presenting, or performing, we can offer tailored assessment and management plans to improve the efficiency of your voice as well as build stamina, range, and flexibility.

  • Professional vocal coaching is perfect for people hosting presentations, training sessions, seminars, workshops, lectures and more. This work is vocally demanding, and it’s important to use your voice safely and efficiently. Vocability can offer tailored coaching plans with one-to-one instruction to not only improve your voice, but take your presentations, sales pitches, and workshops to the next level.

  • Vocability offers flexibility to meet your needs, budget, and time constraints. Voice therapy often takes place over a number of weeks with a session every few weeks. However, we will be motivated by how you feel about your voice and what works for you. Vocability will never tie you in to long commitments or a minimum number of sessions. Once you feel you’ve achieved your vocal goals, we’ll offer advice to enable you to maintain your progress, keeping the door open if you ever need our help again.

  • An initial appointment will last for 50 minutes, with follow-up sessions lasting either 30 or 50 minutes based on your preference. This applies to both face-to-face and online appointments.

  • Vocability offer in-person and online sessions, and moving between the two to meet your needs and availability is straightforward.

    Face-to-face sessions take place in Bramhall, South Manchester. Located within RW Physio, our therapy room is spacious and comfortable. Parking is available nearby and the area offers a host of cafes, shops, restaurants and other services.

    Online sessions are hosted using Microsoft Teams. You’ll receive a link to your email address prior to your appointment. We always suggest being somewhere quiet and private for your session, whilst ensuring you can make some noise and speak freely.

  • Sessions can be funded one of three ways:

    Self-funding: If this is the case, Vocability will send you an invoice for the cost of your session either before or shortly after your appointment. Payment is due within seven days via bank transfer (BACS). Credit cards and cheques are not accepted.

    Funding: There are organisations which may offer funding, typically for singers, performers and musicians, for example Help Musicians. Vocability will invoice the funder directly unless otherwise agreed.

    Health insurance: Payments are currently accepted via AXA Health, Aviva and VitalityHealth. Other providers will be available soon; however, payments via Bupa are not supported. Payments are made via a dedicated system or via direct invoice.

    Visit our pricing page to find out more

  • Most voice problems are functional in nature, meaning the way we use or look after our voice is causing it to behave differently. However, some individuals experience difficulties caused by physical problems affecting the larynx (voice box) or vocal cords. If you are concerned about this or we feel this might be the cause of your presentation, a laryngeal endoscopy by an experienced ENT doctor is recommended.

    Vocability can direct you towards services providing this assessment, or you can request referral to NHS services via your GP.

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