In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, Ellie Richter shares her top three strategies for increasing engagement in virtual therapy sessions: personalization, efficiency, and interactivity. By tailoring activities to client interests, maintaining a structured session flow, and incorporating interactive elements, therapists can create a dynamic and enjoyable experience for clients of all ages.

In this first episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, I’m taking you along on my journey into teletherapy. Like many of you, I didn’t expect to find myself in virtual speech-language pathology, but in March 2020, I had to pivot quickly, facing a steep learning curve and discovering new ways to make therapy work in a virtual setting. I share the challenges, the adjustments, and the wins along the way, and I highlight how crucial community support and mentorship were in helping me thrive.

Teletherapy really changed the way I think about flexibility in my career. I went from feeling tied to a physical space, to having the freedom to be present for my family while still doing meaningful work. And honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The technology, the relationships, and even AI tools like ChatGPT, have made the transition so much smoother than I ever expected.

In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, we take a deep dive into the significance of taking breaks, reflecting on personal and professional growth, and setting future goals. With candid conversations about our journeys, we emphasize the importance of hitting pause, whether it's for self-care, recharging creativity, or aligning long-term aspirations with personal values.

In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, hosts Ellie Richter and Ali Manahan reflect on two decades of friendship and the professional journeys that have shaped their careers as speech-language pathologists. They share their personal transitions into private practice, the evolution of teletherapy, and the unique challenges and rewards of virtual therapy. With a shared commitment to empowering families and building supportive communities, Ellie and Ali discuss the importance of creative tools, like Ali’s WordPlay Boxes, and the role of flexibility in achieving work-life balance. This episode is full of insights for SLPs, graduate students, and anyone interested in the future of teletherapy!

In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, I tackle three of the most common myths about teletherapy, shedding light on its effectiveness, the power of virtual connections, and the quality of service offered by virtual speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Through research insights and personal experience, I offers listeners a fresh perspective on teletherapy, dismantling misconceptions and empowering SLPs to approach virtual therapy with confidence.