Finding Freedom in Teletherapy: My Personal Journey
How I Made the Shift to Virtual Speech Therapy
When I started working as a speech-language pathologist in 2010, I never imagined I'd one day be working virtually. My dream was to work in schools, providing in-person therapy in Spanish. Although teletherapy existed as early as the 1990s, when video conferencing technology first made remote services possible, the real explosion in virtual services occurred in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many SLPs are still working in traditional settings today, teletherapy has opened up new opportunities for speech pathologists to pivot their careers. For me, the journey into teletherapy was both unexpected and life-changing.
From Houston to St. Louis: My Early Years
I began my career in the Houston schools in 2010 before moving back to St. Louis. Here, I worked for a nonprofit, providing home health and school services across various daycares, centers, and schools in the city. Eventually, I transitioned to another nonprofit, where we were thrown into virtual therapy at the height of the 2020 pandemic. With little available training, we had to make teletherapy work using Zoom, any digital resources we could find, and the support of compassionate and understanding families. It was a sink-or-swim moment, and sinking wasn’t an option. Most of my families were Spanish-speaking and had limited or no access to transportation. What we found was that teletherapy eliminated the transportation barrier, and suddenly, my students' attendance rates increased. Furthermore, my students were making progress and even graduating with having only had virtual therapy! I hadn’t anticipated these outcomes, but they were positive and encouraging.
The Pandemic Shift: An Opportunity in Disguise
I’ve always loved working with children and their families. In 2020, as everything changed, it felt like starting over, but in a refreshing way. The pandemic forced many professionals, myself included, to rethink service delivery and reassess work-life balance. For me, it was an opportunity to realign my skills and time with what I truly wanted for my own family. I no longer wanted to commute or work solely in person. I wanted to be more present for my son, who had just turned two. I remember having lunch at Hendel’s with friends, barely able to hear anything due to a double ear infection. I realized the only next step I felt comfortable with was transitioning to my own teletherapy private practice. That decision changed everything for me.
Adapting to Teletherapy: Challenges and Triumphs
The transition wasn’t without its challenges. Adapting from in-person interactions to a digital setting required me to quickly learn new skills, shortcuts, and techniques to keep my younger students engaged. Some families were hesitant about virtual therapy, but together, we worked through their concerns as they arose. Soon, I found my rhythm by contracting with schools—first through a company, and eventually through my own private practice. Over time, I built a repertoire of practices, behaviors, and materials that worked well in the virtual setting. I’m confident that this experience has helped my therapy stand out.
Why Teletherapy Works for Me
Teletherapy has been an incredible solution, offering accessibility, flexibility, and significant impact for my students. Personally, I love the freedom it has given me. I’m able to walk my son to and from the bus stop every day, work with my dog, Teddy, next to me (He was my best coworker until he ate the leaves off of my plants) and eliminate my commute entirely. This extra time allows me to focus my energy on the things that matter most: my family, my home, and my students. I now work with school districts across the Midwest, filling a gap where they don’t have an SLP available. Over the past five years, I’ve accumulated a variety of digital tools and resources to make my sessions creative, efficient, and engaging. Teletherapy has completely transformed my career and home life. I now see upward mobility and options in my career, where before I often felt burned out and stuck.
Where I Am Now and What’s Next
Today, my virtual practice involves school contracting across state lines in Minnesota and Illinois, even though I live in Missouri. I continue refining my teletherapy skills to ensure I provide the best possible care for my caseload. The transition to teletherapy has also fueled my passion for helping other SLPs who might be where I was when I was burnt out. This journey inspired me to establish my blog and training courses, where I assist other SLPs navigating their own shift into virtual therapy. I absolutely love teletherapy as an option for SLPs who feel burnt out or ready to leave the field. I was once in that place. Giving teletherapy a try for at least a year (with the help of a mentor!) is key to gaining the experience and confidence to see if it's the right fit for you. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to start from scratch—searching for materials, tools, and guidance—and that’s why my passion project is helping other SLPs considering the switch. If you’re curious about teletherapy, have questions, or want to get started but feel uneasy, reach out to me! I’m here to help. This fall, you’ll also be able to sign up for my course for a more in-depth, step-by-step guide on transitioning to teletherapy.
Stay in touch with me over on Instagram and let me know what questions/concerns you have about teletherapy!
Ellie
