TeleTherapy

What is a Teletherapy approach ?

Ruth is based in France following early retirement from the NHS after 34 years of continuous service in Clinical, Leadership & Service Management roles. Ruth intended to write books and strengthen her spoken French and abandon the world of Communication Therapy. There was a dream, an idea to offer Communication Workshops / Intensive Courses at her home in France.

After 6 months two things changed. Ruth began to miss supporting others in developing their communication skills. Her Clinical Caseload prior to leaving the NHS was predominently supporting adults who stammered. Alongisde this Ruth missed her teaching and development of people in a team. Time to look into setting up a practice based on clinical interests and offer an Online Service.

Living in France necessitates that this is a TeleClinic with technology utilised as a way of providing coaching and teaching online. Communicology, a Tele-Therapy Practice evolved.

Communicology uses a TeleHealth Platform for Consultations and Individual sessions. The programme has appointment scheduling, reminders, video conferencing facilities plus payment integrated into it. The therapist sends you a Link to access your session. Once you are working with Ruth then it is possible to look at the schedule and book into an available session.

The platform is secure and was chosen as it was designed initially by Speech & Language Therapists. Other technology such as Skype and Zoom can be utilised if appropriate/preferred.

Alongside Tele-Therapy there is the option of short courses in France for some clients.

Evidence and References for TeleHealth

Guidance from Professional Body in the UK and USA

ASHA

https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934956&section=Overview

RCSLT Website

https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/telehealth/telehealth-guidance

https://www.theraplatform.com/blog/241/telepractice-teletherapy-basics-for-speech-and-language-pathologists

This ASTLIP Article gives on overview

https://www.asltip.com/news/9705

“As well as being convenient, teletherapy is proven to be beneficial in most cases. The American Association of Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) has looked at 40 peer-reviewed studies that confirm teletherapy produces outcomes that are as good as direct contact for services including: