Meet Heather — Specialist in Voice, Breathing, and Facial Rehabilitation
Heather brings more than 30 years of clinical experience to her work as a speech‑language pathologist. She is an Idaho‑licensed, ASHA‑certified clinician with advanced expertise in voice disorders, upper airway dysfunction, and facial neuromuscular retraining. In addition to her clinical practice, Heather served for 15 years as an academic and clinical instructor at Idaho State University, where she trained future clinicians and helped shape best practices in voice and upper airway rehabilitation.
Her approach blends evidence‑based practice, trauma‑informed care, and deep clinical intuition. Patients describe her work as precise, compassionate, and transformative — helping them achieve meaningful, lasting change in how they communicate and express themselves.
Areas of Expertise
VOICE — Heather supports teachers, singers, actors, clergy, attorneys, sales professionals, call‑center staff, parents, and anyone experiencing voice strain, hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or changes in how their voice feels or functions.
Common concerns include:
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Hoarseness, strain, or vocal fatigue
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Loss of vocal range or projection
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Age‑related voice changes (PhoRTE provider)
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Gender‑affirming voice and communication (OutCare certified)
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Voice changes related to reflux or illness
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Long‑COVID‑related voice symptoms
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Voice care and wellness
BREATHING & UPPER AIRWAY DISORDERS — Heather works with individuals experiencing breathing challenges that affect comfort, communication, exercise, sports or daily life. She supports both complex airway cases and people who simply feel “out of breath” while talking or notice tension in the throat or chest.
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Chronic cough / chronic throat clearing
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Chronic Breathlessness Syndrome
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Breathing pattern disorders
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Exercise‑Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
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Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO) / Vocal Cord Dysfunction
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Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPRD)
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Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms (LPS)
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Irritable Larynx Syndrome (ILS)
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Lump‑in‑throat sensation
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Pulmonary‑related breathing challenges (CF, COPD/emphysema, RADS, adult‑onset asthma)
FACIAL RETRAINING THERAPY — Heather provides specialized neuromuscular rehabilitation for individuals experiencing facial weakness, asymmetry, tightness, or unwanted movements. She supports patients recovering from facial nerve injury as well as those noticing subtle changes in comfort or expression.
Areas treated include:
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Facial paralysis, weakness, and synkinesis
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Bell’s palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome
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Acoustic neuroma resection recovery
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Post‑facial paralysis smile rehabilitation
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Pediatric facial palsy
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Oculofacial and jaw‑related dysfunction
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Post‑operative facial rehabilitation
Professional Memberships
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American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association (ASHA)
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Facial Therapy Specialists International (FTSI)
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Sir Charles Bell Society
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Global Initiative for ILO (GIILO)
Education
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M.S., Speech‑Language Pathology — University of North Texas
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B.S., Communication Sciences & Disorders — South Dakota State University
A Note from Heather
With more than 25 years in the performing arts, Heather has a special passion for helping singers, actors and professional voice users reach their highest level of function and performance. Outside the clinic, she enjoys hiking in the Boise Foothills, gardening, and spending time with her family.
