1. What Is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy is the delivery of speech, occupational, or physical therapy services through secure video conferencing. You connect with a licensed therapist from your home, school, or any private location with internet access. Sessions are conducted in real-time — it's not a recording or chatbot. Your therapist can see you, interact with you, share their screen, and guide exercises just as they would in person.
2. What You Need for a Teletherapy Session
A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone. A stable internet connection (at least 5 Mbps recommended). A quiet, private space with minimal distractions. Good lighting so your therapist can see you clearly. Any materials your therapist may have requested (toys for children, exercise bands for PT, etc.). For children, a parent or caregiver should be nearby, especially for the first few sessions.
3. Before Your First Session
Log into the patient portal at my.allcaretherapies.com and complete any intake forms. Test your camera and microphone ahead of time. Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs to improve connection quality. If your child is the patient, explain that they'll be talking to a therapist on the screen — make it feel positive and fun. Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss with the therapist.
4. What Happens During a Typical Session
Sessions typically last 30-60 minutes depending on your therapy type and treatment plan. Your therapist will review goals from the previous session, guide you through exercises or activities, provide real-time feedback and adjustments, assign home practice or exercises, and document progress. For speech therapy, sessions often include interactive games, articulation practice, and language activities. For OT, expect functional skill practice and sensory strategies. For PT, your therapist will guide exercises while observing your form via video.
5. Tips for Getting the Most from Teletherapy
Treat it like an in-person appointment — show up on time and be present. Minimize distractions (turn off TV, put phone on silent). For children, have a few preferred toys or activities nearby for transitions. Practice any exercises or strategies between sessions — consistency is key. Communicate openly with your therapist about what's working and what's not. Keep a notebook to track progress and questions between sessions.
6. Is Teletherapy as Effective as In-Person?
Research consistently shows that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most speech, occupational, and physical therapy conditions. A systematic review published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation found equivalent outcomes across multiple therapy types. Additional benefits include reduced travel time, therapy in your natural environment (which improves skill carryover), flexible scheduling including evenings, and lower no-show rates.
7. Privacy and Security
All teletherapy sessions at All Care Therapies are HIPAA-compliant. We use encrypted, secure video platforms. Your session cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties. Recordings are never made without your explicit consent. Your medical records and session notes are stored securely and accessible only to your care team.
8. Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your video is freezing, try turning off your camera briefly to stabilize the connection, then turn it back on. If audio is unclear, use headphones with a built-in microphone. If you get disconnected, log back in — your therapist will wait. If persistent connection issues occur, your therapist can switch to a phone call for the audio portion while you reconnect video. Contact our support team at 818-894-2273 if you need technical help.