Interested in Becoming a Successful Tele-Practitioner?

Teletherapy has become an essential practice in today’s therapy world. According to the CDC, teletherapy practice increased by 154% from March 2019 to March 2020. LexisNexis reported in their 2021 COVID-19 Mental Health Impact Report that, teletherapy visits increased 6,500% from 2019-2021. If you want to be involved in this rapidly growing field, there are some things you need to know prior to starting with clients online.

Teletherapy is the delivery of therapy services online, like what you would in an in-person session, with the use of live video conferencing via the internet. A tele-practitioner must have a computer or tablet with high-speed internet connection and a webcam. It is important to have a headset with a microphone. An internal computer microphone and speakers will suffice but be sure to be aware of your surroundings because, teletherapy must always be performed in a HIPPA compliant space. It is important for practitioners to be aware of their surroundings. Performing therapy sessions in a quiet and private space will ensure client privacy and protection of medical/personal information. A headset will allow for privacy and better-quality sound from the speaker and for the listener, however, it is not necessary. The last thing that you will need is a secure teletherapy platform to perform your therapy on.

The clients that you treat will also need to have access to high-speed internet, a webcam, a headset, or internal speakers and/or microphone. It is important for an adult to be present in the session when working with children to support engagement and carry over of therapy initiatives. An adult or caregiver will also be able to help with troubleshooting the device and any needs that may arise.

When choosing a teletherapy platform, it is important to think about the features that you will need to use with your clients to accomplish their goals. First and foremost, a HIPPA compliant platform will be necessary to meet the requirements of tele-practice. Secondly, the ability to share screen will be important for sharing notes, games, and information with your clients and their families. Other features that will be important include sharing controls, a password protected meeting, the ability to record a session (with permission, of course!) and even the ability to have more than one person, such as an interpreter or a teacher, present in the meeting/therapy session, if necessary. The final thing to consider is choosing a platform that is user friendly and just as engaging for your clients, as it is easy for you to use as a practitioner. If your clients feel comfortable, it creates a space for learning and thriving.

Planning is the key to having a successful tele-practice session. Some fun tools that will make your sessions easier include e-books, interactive PDFs, power point presentations, google slides, online games, and more. When you are planning on how to achieve your goals, it is important to make sure you are explaining the intention of a task to your client prior to starting. Better progress towards goals will be made when the client is aware of the intention and purpose of the task. Using fun and interactive tools will help keep your sessions engaging for your clients while accomplishing progress towards your milestones.

Finally, have fun! When you treat your clients with the same passion and heart on a tele-practice platform as you do in person, you are bound to be a successful tele-practitioner. By following the guidelines above, you will be able to start treating clients online with ease.