Breaking down the surgery sections in a more detailed way made me realise I need to do the same for the treatments, as opposed to 8 stops representing the 8 NHS funded sessions of laser hair removal, or 3 lines representing the 3 voice therapists - which, by doing this, actually only limits the map to Leeds as other GIS' may have less or more on the team.
Voice Therapy
The below page is from the Tavistock clinic, which is the well-known GIS in London that is only available for children/young people. The page explains the process of voice therapy really well, in a way Leeds does not, I could not seem to find any explanation of the treatment process from Leeds on the it website. It helped me understand the steps, in the same way as having blood tests and reviews of hormones.
I've copied and pasted the important information below:
Your first appointment is an opportunity for you to discuss concerns and hopes about your voice and communication. As part of this appointment, we will:
make a plan for future therapy sessions, individual and group
take a case history related to your communication goals
listen carefully to your voice to ensure it is working healthily
take a baseline recording of pitch
explain how your voice works, the process of voice change and what is possible
provide initial exercises and advice about home practice
You will be offered up to four therapy appointments of fifty minutes in duration at monthly intervals to assist the process of voice practice and change.
For those seeking to feminise their voice, help can be offered to:
raise pitch to a comfortable degree
achieve a brighter resonance (vocal colour)
explore intonation and expression
increase confidence with your voice on the phone
project your voice over background noise
explore other sounds such as coughing and laughing
explore some of your singing potential.
For those seeking to masculinise their voice, help can be offered to:
monitoring the effects of testosterone on your voice by measuring your pitch and how it changes over time
develop a robust breath support to accompany vocal changes
access increased chest resonance
explore intonation patterns
increase social confidence through assertiveness training
explore placement and range of your new singing voice.
For those identifying as non-binary or gender-diverse, therapy goals will be individualised to support what fits your sense of authentic gender expression, through:
exploration of your singing potential
exploration of pitch, resonance and intonation
development of communicative power and personal presence.
This information has led me to change the voice therapy line to one single line, with no separations, and the stops will be:
Referral from Named Professional
Meet Voice Therapist and Record Voice
Exercises to Practice
First Appointment
Second Appointment
Third Appointment
Last Appointment
As the important stages are being referred, meeting the voice therapist and establishing goals, practicing at home, and then the four 50 minute appointments you could be offered.
Laser Hair Removal
This page explains the process of applying for funding clearer, and exactly what results you will see in the allotted NHS-funded time, which I think is extremely important.
The important facts being:
Laser Hair Removal DOES NOT fall under the category of 'cosmetic' procedures and ,in the case of transgender people, funding can be provided via NHS AGEM through a referral from a NHS GIS
Awarded 8 sessions
An assessment is carried out prior to the first session, and again prior to the eighth
Data represents the reduction achieved following 7 full-face treatments, and further will happen in the eighth, further assessments will happen if continue treatment once funding has been exhausted
Average percentage hair reduction after 7 treatments was 56% (range 22% - 75%)
25/26 clients reported having to shave daily prior to treatment, and as of 7 treatments shave slightly over twice a week
And so I have changed the Laser Hair Removal line to include the following stops:
Referral from Named Professional
Board Approval for Funding
Initial Assessment
First Treatment
Second Treatment
Third Treatment
Fourth Treatment
Fifth Treatment
Sixth Treatment
Seventh Treatment
Further Assessment
Eighth Treatment
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