Restore Your Energy, Voice & Capacity This Summer
True rest isn’t just time off — it’s a reset from the inside out.You’re off work. But your body isn’t off yet.
Maybe You’ve Noticed
- You’re exhausted, even after catching up on sleep
- Your voice feels strained after another demanding school year
- You can’t seem to fully switch off
- You get sick as soon as summer begins
- September anxiety starts creeping in before August is over
Teaching places ongoing demands on both your nervous system and your voice. By June, many educators are carrying months of accumulated stress, emotional labour, and vocal fatigue.
Taking time off helps — but it doesn’t always reach the places that need it most.
The most effective way to actually reset this summer is by restoring safety in your body and voice — not just clearing your calendar.
A Small Group Experience Built for Educators
This six-week summer program combines Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) listening therapy with voice education and nervous system support — in a small, personalized group setting with a maximum of five participants.
You’ll leave with greater calm and resilience, more capacity for what matters most, and a voice that’s ready for September — not dreading it.
And it’s fully covered by your Speech & Language benefits. No out-of-pocket cost.
You don’t have to carry June’s exhaustion into September!
Program Includes
30-minute individual intake session
12 x 60-minute small group sessions over six weeks (Mondays & Fridays)
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) listening therapy
Voice education and wellness strategies
Why I Created This
After 20 years of supporting educators in TDSB, I know what burnout feels like — struggling to breathe deeply, buzzing under the surface, and losing your voice by the end of the year.
I created this summer group because I truly understood what I was missing. Not more PD. Just a space to restore, reconnect, and return to yourself again. I look forward to supporting you.
— Martha Rice, Speech-Language Pathologist
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits & Payment
What if I’m not sure what my benefits cover?
Check your plan for “Speech-Language Pathology” or “Speech Therapy” coverage. Most ETFO, OECTA, and OSSTF benefit plans include this. You’re also welcome to reach out before booking and we can help you figure it out. info@partnersinexpression.com
Does the intake session count against my benefits?
Yes, the 30-minute individual intake is a billable session and will be submitted to your benefits. It’s designed to be brief and purposeful so it doesn’t eat into your group session coverage.
What if I run out of benefits mid-program?
We’ll check your remaining coverage at intake so there are no surprises. If coverage runs out mid-program, we’ll discuss options together.
Is This Right for Me?
I don’t have a diagnosed voice problem. Is this still for me?
Absolutely. This program isn’t designed only for clinical voice disorders — it’s designed for educators who are carrying the cumulative weight of a full school year in their body and voice. If you recognize yourself in the “maybe you’ve noticed” list above, this is for you.
What exactly is SSP?
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a music-based listening intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges as part of Polyvagal Theory. It uses specially filtered music to gently stimulate the vagus nerve, helping the nervous system shift toward a state of regulation and connection. It’s non-invasive, and you listen through headphones during your session. Most people find it calming rather than intense. There are some contraindications that will be discussed during intake.
What does a typical session look like?
Sessions combine SSP listening time with guided voice wellness education, body-based practices, and group reflection. You won’t be asked to perform or share anything you’re not comfortable with. The pace is intentionally slow — this is restoration, not a workshop.
Is it done online or in person?
All sessions are held online via a secure video platform, so you can participate from wherever you are this summer — your backyard, your kitchen table, or anywhere you have a quiet space and headphones.
Will I have to talk about my feelings in a group?
No. This isn’t a psychotherapy group or a processing circle. The focus is on nervous system regulation and voice wellness. That said, many past participants have found the shared experience of being in a space with other educators deeply grounding in itself.
What if I need to miss a session?
Sessions are not recorded, in order to protect the privacy of everyone in the group. If you miss a session, we’ll do our best to find a solution — that might mean dropping into another group cohort or a drop-in session if one is available. There’s no guarantee of a make-up, but we won’t just leave you hanging.
The session times don’t work for my schedule. Is there another option?
Reach out directly at info@partnersinexpression.com and we’ll see what we can work out. A 1:1 format may be available for those who need a different schedule or prefer individual support.
I’m already burned out. Will I have the energy for this?
The program is designed specifically for that state. Sessions are low-demand and restorative by design — the goal is to give your system something back, not ask more of it. Many participants have said the sessions were the one thing on their calendar that actually felt like relief.
I’m Martha Rice, I’ve experienced firsthand how quickly communication can change under pressure—even when you know exactly what you want to say. I'm a speech-language pathologist working in voice and communication across the lifespan. My work spans clinical voice therapy and communication under pressure, helping people develop voice and communication that remain steady, clear, and reliable when the stakes are high.
Through Clinical Voice Therapy, I support children and adults experiencing vocal strain or diagnosed voice conditions. Through BRAVE – Communication Under Pressure, I work with professionals whose communication shifts when pressure rises.
My approach integrates voice science, nervous system awareness, and movement-based practices to support communication that holds when it matters most.
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