We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eryn Gitelis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Eryn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
I have had the privilege of working with many wonderful clients and have so many heartwarming stories. Recently I had a client tell me she was shopping for baby clothes and talking to another woman in the store who was visibly pregnant. They were talking for a while and she was excitedly picking out clothes for her soon-to-be niece when the woman she was speaking with said, “If you don’t mind me asking, when are you due? You’re not showing at all!” She let her know the gifts were for her niece and they laughed about her lack of a pregnant belly. My client let me know that she doesn’t even think about her voice anymore and that little interactions like these make her feel confident and authentically herself wherever she goes. Anytime I hear a client feels more confident and the level of dysphoria decreases I am filled with joy. Everyone can relate to that feeling of “not fitting in” or being self-conscious so being able to help someone alleviate these negative feelings on their journey is incredibly rewarding.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a speech-language pathologist who started PRYDE Voice and Speech Therapy in 2017. I specialize in gender affirming voice (or voice modification (e.g., feminization)). My interest in this particular subset of voice began when attending grade school at the University of Central Florida. Two slides were presented in my voice class relating to transgender voice care and I was forever eager to learn more. Fast forward a decade and over 1,000 clients targeting voice modification, a voice feminization app on apple and android (PRYDE Voice Feminization), and many wonderful friendships that have blossomed and I can honestly say I am proud of the company I have created.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than becoming competent within the field of voice, it is imperative to be competent about the transgender community. Terminology continues to evolve and gender identity is more complex than the binary social construct the majority of individuals were taught. Everyone is unique and each story is vastly different, so it is important to listen to people and who they are instead of judging by our own life experiences. Humans make mistakes or “say the wrong thing” unintentionally at times, so it is important to accept ownership and have self-forgiveness as well.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I grow my clientele through referrals! My clients are the best and they share my information. Early in my career I reached out to other professionals who work with the transgender population such as psychologists, psychiatrists, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, and childrens’ hospitals. I would call and describe my services and how I may be able to help their patients. I did some advertising through social media and have an instagram! Give me a follow: @prydevoice
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.prydevoiceandspeechtherapy.com
- Instagram: prydevoice/eryngitelis
- Linkedin: Eryn Gitelis
- Yelp: PRYDE Voice and Speech Therapy
- Other: Apple APP: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pryde-voice-speech-therapy/id1554048891
Android APP: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.egitelis.prydevoice&hl=en_US
