The voice and the body are integral to one’s identity and are the way that we make our needs and desires heard.
Depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, illness, injury, disability and bodily misuse all take their toll on the vitality of the voice and body and hence one’s ability to express oneself.
VMT is an integrated therapy which comes out of the relationship between voice, movement and the psyche and aims to enable both verbal and non-verbal people to reach their communicative and self-expressive potential. VMT is a therapeutic process that develops self-awareness, increases self-esteem, enhances communication, boosts self-confidence and expands the understanding of the Self and the Self in relation to others.
VMT is an active intervention wherein the practitioner physically engages with the client in voice and movement. VMT practitioners facilitate the development of creative and alternative ways of expressing the Self and help the client to integrate what they experience in the studio into their world and relationships.

An initial observation of breathing, vocalisation and movement is followed by a needs analysis from which goals and objectives are identified.
VMT is offered to individuals in private or group sessions depending on the identified needs. The VMT practitioner then works technically and creatively with the client towards progress in the specified areas.
Technically through a combination of breathing techniques, the ten vocal components, movement, massage and stretching aimed at increasing breathing capacity and vocal flexibility. Creative work is done through the framework of such activities as creative vocalisation, improvisation, poetry, song, storytelling and expressive movement. In the case of the client being a child, the client’s progress is regularly evaluated and reported on and the process can include parent education.

The positive and enriching process of VMT is an emotionally and psychologically uplifting experience that leaves participants feeling elevated, inspired and revitalised. VMT releases and improves both vocal and physical tension and eases breathing. It’s a therapy that develops self-awareness, increases self-esteem, enhances communication and expands the understanding of the Self in relation to others. By expanding the vocal range and malleability of the voice and body in communication, participants are able to improve their capacity to more fully assert and express themselves.

Possible outcomes of Voice Movement Therapy include:

• Improved self-expression, self-confidence and self-esteem
• Improves self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-image
• Improved body image and body/mind integration
• Improved independence and assertiveness
• Improved emotional intelligence
• Improved verbal and non verbal communication skills
• Improved social and interpersonal skills,
• Improved coping and problem solving skills
• Reduction in tension and stress
• Improved breathing and breath control
• Improved ability to ease and manage anger, anxiety, nervousness and depression

Practitioners work with people of all ages who desire to broaden their range of self expression for personal, artistic or professional reasons, as well as people whose vocal expression has been hindered, limited or restricted by emotional or psychological distress and/or neurological or physical problems.

VMT is a valuable element of combination treatment models and sessions can help to attain primary psychological and social treatment goals which are sometimes difficult to achieve with conventional methods. VMT may be beneficial to people who:

• suffer from depression
• have low self-esteem, poor self-image or a lack of confidence
• fail to thrive
• fear speaking to others in public
• are perceived by others as being aggressive, pessimistic, introverted, disengaged
• have voice problems or wish to improve their voice
• have behavioural problems
• have ADHD
• are emotionally disturbed
• have suffered trauma
• are silent or uncommunicative
• wish to develop their creativity

• “A gentle guidance towards self exploration and creativity. Not your typical session! Expect laughter, tears and sometimes physical exhaustion, but it’s all worth your while.”


• "I wasn't very sure about the program in the beginning, you could say I was sceptical and that almost prevented me from actually doing it. But as per Gina's suggestion of opening up to new experiences and my overwhelming need to get out of my head and not hold onto things I jumped right in... It was a life changing couple of months - at each session I found myself learning more and more about how my mind works and how my body reacts to it. How my body is trained so well to hold onto the hurt and pain that it would physically hurt itself instead of just letting it go. With Gina's help I've learnt to find the control that I DO have over my emotions and how I choose to let it out. She taught me different ways to breathe which helped the process and almost made it easier. I'm less stressed with fewer pains in my muscles. I have fewer asthma attacks and am able to open up to people a lot easier than before. Voice Movement Therapy, is an amazing journey and I think no matter how much you think you don't need it... you do! I'm glad I did and that I had a person as wonderful as Gina to go alone the path with me... I'm still using it, everyday!"


• “The 20 VMT sessions gave me insight into how the effects of previous shock / trauma are “stored” in various parts of the body, the physical injuries might have healed long ago, but these “subconscious memories in the cells” invariably affect the functioning of my voice and movement. It enabled me to explore this link and quite unexpectedly discover (previously subconscious) now consciously sensitive areas in need of acknowledgement and care.”


• “I just wanted to tell you how exciting and interesting I found your workshop with the UKZN drama staff.
  I know we were all weary at the end of a semester, but it was a valuable and invigorating experience for us to spend a whole day exploring our vocal-physical creativity with no pressure to come up with a 'product'.
  Apart from the joy it gave us, we also found ourselves seeing each other with new eyes- seeing aspects of each other's personalities that we are not always aware of in our day-to-day inter-actions.
  It was very valuable as a director, I was intrigued by the notation system used for vocal analysis which I think could be a very useful tool to compare a performer's vocal quality to the quality one imaginatively 'hears' a character use.
  Thanks again Gina. I hope there is the budget for you to come back again sometime.”


• “My first experience of VMT was inspiring – a 3 hour workshop at WITS introduced me to the intersection between my drama/movement/voice training and where it overlaps with VMT theory and practices.
  I was immediately on familiar but new ground, and the once-off workshop released my voice and body, and energised me greatly.
  I had always ‘heard’ things in people’s voices – strain, hesitation, lack of confidence, having two ‘accents’ etc - just like you can see things about people from how they move.
  It seems that VMT offers some rigour in analysing voice and movement, and the way to work on or through difficulties.
  My colleague and I raved about that workshop so much that I was able to invite Gina to do a workshop for drama students and staff at UKZN.
  What I know for sure is that we don’t breathe enough or well – even though we may be trained performers.
  A day long workshop gave me a glimpse into what could still be possible, and has left me wanting to know more – not just for the sake of students and drama training, but for my personal development.
  Could I cure my sinusitis, bronchitis – the works – by singing? Not only chasing the blues away, but giving me new breath- to go with my new life? I am intrigued.”