Objective:
Conversation Training Therapy (CTT), first described in 2016, is a voice therapy approach focusing on sensory discrimination of voice and speech during conversation through negative practice using patient-driven conversational speech as the primary stimuli. Unlike traditional hierarchical therapies, CTT removes the therapeutic hierarchy and begins with high task complexity (conversational speech) but expects low task accuracy at the beginning of therapy. The workshop will be based on an article (Gartner-Schmidt & Gillespie, 2021) describing the following component parts of CTT: Clear Speech, Negative Practice, and Labeling; Auditory/Kinesthetic Awareness; Embedded Basic Training Gestures; and Prosody, Projection, and Pauses. The related perceptual motor learning rationale for each component of CTT will be discussed. Last, meta-therapy examples of clinical language, as it applies to CTT, and how to troubleshoot if problems arise.

Methods:
During this live hands-on demonstration workshop, attendees will participate in experiential learning. For each CTT component, the presenters will provide a brief demonstration amongst themselves (AIG and JGS) before inviting attendees to practice each component of CTT. The presenters will also highlight when troubleshooting and critical thinking moments “pop up”. The presenters will engage in fluid Q/A throughout the workshop and facilitate a discussion within the attendee group.

Results:
Following the workshop, attendees will be “Monday ready” to feel confident in implementing the component parts of CTT for their first patient on Monday morning and troubleshooting any speed bumps in progress.

Conclusion:
Opportunities to practice delivering CTT and troubleshooting applications under the guidance of the CTT co-developers will familiarize and empower clinicians.