Accent Reduction Policy Agreement

Accent Reduction Services – Policy Statement

At Speech by Godsey, accent reduction (also called accent modification) is offered as an elective service designed to help clients improve overall speech clarity, communication confidence, and effectiveness in professional, academic, and social settings. These services honor every client’s cultural and linguistic identity and focus solely on enhancing the intelligibility and consistency of spoken English. Accents are a natural part of language and identity. Our work supports client-chosen goals, not the removal of cultural heritage or personal uniqueness.

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Purpose of the Service

Accent reduction services at Speech by Godsey aim to:

• Improve clarity and ease of communication

• Strengthen confidence in professional and personal interactions

• Increase consistency of targeted English speech patterns

• Support clients in reaching their chosen communication goals

These services are not clinical speech therapy and are not intended to diagnose or treat speech, language, or communication disorders.

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Client Eligibility

Accent reduction services are appropriate for:

• English language learners

• Native speakers with regional accents

• Professionals seeking clearer communication for presentations, leadership, or career advancement

Clients with communication disorders may require a separate clinical evaluation and therapy plan, which is not part of this elective service.

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Service Structure

All accent reduction sessions are conducted online or in person, providing flexibility, privacy, and convenience.

Structure of Services:

• A typical program includes 10–12 sessions, held once per week, 45 minutes each.

• The first session is free and includes a comprehensive evaluation of current speech patterns, communication goals, and a personalized plan of instruction.

• Instruction includes guided practice, targeted phoneme drills, prosody training, conversational application, and home practice.

Recording Policy:

Some sessions may be audio- or video-recorded solely for the purpose of monitoring progress, analyzing speech patterns, and improving instructional planning. Recordings are kept confidential and are not shared or used for any purpose outside client instruction.

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Confidentiality

All client information, recordings, communications, and assessment materials remain confidential in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws. Client data will never be shared without written consent.

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Client Autonomy

Clients determine their own communication goals and may choose which speech patterns or targets they want to address. Clients may pause or discontinue services at any time, though consistent attendance is strongly recommended for best results.

Speech By Godsey does not guarantee specific employment, social, or legal outcomes as a result of accent reduction services.

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Fees & Payment Policies

• The initial evaluation session is free.

• All following sessions are billed individually or in package options when available.

• Payment is due at or before the time of each session.

• Accent modification is an elective, private-pay service and is not covered by insurance.

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Cancellation & No-Show Policy

To honor both your time and ours, a 24-hour cancellation notice is required.

• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled session will be charged the full session fee.

• No-show appointments are also charged the full fee.

• Exceptions may be made for emergencies at the discretion of Speech by Godsey.

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Professional Standards & Ethics

Speech By Godsey adheres to:

• ASHA’s Code of Ethics

• Culturally responsive and evidence-based practices

• Respect for all linguistic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds

Accent reduction services support clarity—not conformity—and celebrate every client’s individuality.

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Non-Discrimination Statement

Speech By Godsey does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, or linguistic background. All clients are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.