Voice and Upper Airway Disorders
Voice and airway conditions can cause changes in vocal quality, pitch, or loudness, or lead to breathing difficulties that mimic asthma. These may stem from neurological disease, vocal misuse, stress, reflux, or aging, and can significantly disrupt communication and quality of life. Yonca takes a comprehensive approach, using manual techniques, breathing and voice therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and evidence-based methods such as Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT-Loud) for Parkinson’s and related disorders. She also treats chronic cough and paradoxical vocal cord dysfunction/exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction with breathing retraining, relaxation, and cough-suppression strategies.
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Swallowing Therapy (Dysphagia Management)
Swallowing difficulties can result from neurological conditions, head and neck cancers, structural changes, or reflux. Left untreated, dysphagia may lead to malnutrition, dehydration, or aspiration pneumonia. Yonca provides highly individualized therapy, drawing on specialized certifications in MBSImP, surface EMG, and VitalStim. Treatment may include diet modifications, postural strategies, targeted exercises, and manual techniques to improve muscle coordination and tissue mobility. Therapy adapts to each patient’s progress, with the goal of restoring safe, comfortable eating and drinking while protecting nutrition and quality of life.
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Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy helps individuals recovering from brain injury, stroke, tumor, or neurodegenerative disease improve attention, memory, organization, and problem-solving skills. Yonca designs evidence-based programs using standardized assessments and patient-centered goals. Therapy may include retraining impaired skills, teaching compensatory strategies, and integrating mindfulness to promote focus and self-regulation. Patients often use web-based and AI-supported exercises to reinforce skills between sessions. The overarching aim is to rebuild independence, improve communication, and restore daily function so patients can reengage fully with their personal and professional lives.
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Speech/Language Therapy
Speech and language disorders can profoundly impact communication, leaving individuals isolated from loved ones and daily interactions. Yonca offers comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment plans for conditions such as aphasia, dysarthria, and apraxia of speech. Therapy combines evidence-based exercises, compensatory techniques, mindfulness principles, and technology or augmentative communication tools as needed. By improving clarity, comprehension, and expression, patients regain confidence and independence in daily life. Therapy is designed to meet each individual’s needs, whether stemming from stroke, brain injury, or progressive neurological disease.
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Head and Neck Cancer Rehabilitation
Speech-language therapy is an essential part of recovery during and after head and neck cancer treatment. Beginning at diagnosis, Yonca provides counseling to prepare patients for potential side effects while building strategies to maintain safe swallowing and nutrition. During treatment, she helps minimize complications like dysphagia, dysarthria, dry mouth, and muscle tension. Post-treatment, therapy focuses on restoring swallowing safety, speech clarity, and voice function, while addressing long-term effects of radiation or fibrosis. Techniques include VitalStim, sEMG, myofascial release, and laryngeal massage, alongside tailored therapy plans.
