This thesis “Nonverbal Communication Assessment in Voice and Communication Therapy with Trans*women” deals with the complicated topic of transidentity and nonverbal communicational behavior from a speech therapeutical point of view. Due to the hypothesis of a lack of inclusion of nonverbal communication in voice and communication therapy and the difficulties in daily transfer, included elements, their indication and a sufficient daily transfer were analyzed in this empiric thesis. Therefore an online survey was sent to German-speaking speech and language therapists, inquiring the frequency and importance of included nonverbal communication elements. Moreover, an interview with a trans*women has been conducted to complementarily include the client’s perception complementarily as well as to focus on questions about daily transfer. Results include a highly rated importance of the integration of kinesics, facial expression, gestures and proxemics in voice and communication therapy. Besides other implications for professional practice of speech therapy, this thesis advises to treat clients according to a well-aligned and individualized therapy concept in order establish their personally chosen of feminity. Clinicians must be aware of their potential rigidity and keep an open mind when confronted with clients. Furthermore clinicians are advised to discuss social role clichés and the binary code of gender as well as (de-)construction of gender identity. |