About Martha

About Martha

Voice often reveals what pressure does to us.

I’m Martha Rice, a speech-language pathologist whose work focuses on voice and communication across the lifespan. Drawing on more than two decades of clinical experience, I support both individuals experiencing voice challenges and professionals who want their communication to remain steady, clear, and connected when the stakes are high.

Early Clinical Work

For many years I worked as a school-based speech-language pathologist, collaborating with educators and families to support children in developing confident communication and self-expression. Alongside my clinical work, I became increasingly interested in how physiology, stress, and regulation influence how our voice and communication function in real-life situations.

During my time in the school system, I also contributed to professional development for educators and served on a departmental committee supporting staff learning. Much of this work explored social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and how the nervous system influences communication and behaviour—topics that were far less widely understood at the time. These experiences deepened my interest in how physiology, regulation, and communication interact in both learning and leadership environments.

Leadership & Governance Experience

Alongside my clinical career, I have also served in governance roles, including six years as president of a family foundation and board service with a Canadian organization supporting microfinance initiatives in South Africa. These experiences gave me firsthand insight into how communication, regulation, and voice shape what happens in complex decision-making environments.

A Personal Connection to the Work

My interest in communication under pressure is also personal. Earlier in my life, I knew the experience of freezing in important moments, staying quiet when something needed to be said, or reacting defensively when stress rose too quickly.

Over time, through clinical training and personal exploration of movement, regulation, and voice work, I began to understand how deeply our nervous system shapes how we speak, respond, and connect in challenging situations.

That understanding now informs the work I do with clients who want their voice and communication to reflect who they truly are—even when the stakes are high.

My Work Today

Today my work spans two primary areas.

Through Clinical Voice Therapy, I support adults and children experiencing vocal strain, fatigue, or diagnosed voice conditions, focusing on assessment, treatment, and long-term vocal health.

Through BRAVE – Voice Under Pressure, I work with professionals whose communication shifts when the stakes rise. BRAVE builds the resilience and flexibility required for voice and communication to remain steady, clear, and connected in demanding moments.

Across all of my work, I integrate voice science, nervous system awareness, and movement-based practices to support communication that remains reliable when it matters most. My approach is also informed by training in somatic movement practices and body-based awareness.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy cross-country skiing, walking labyrinths, and exploring practices that support attention, regulation, and embodied awareness.