How to Choose a Teletherapy Platform
Now that you know the basics of telepractice, here’s how to choose a teletherapy platform for your practice:
The first thing to keep is mind is that you cannot just use any old video chat software!
You can’t use Skype for telepractice because it is not HIPAA-compliant.
You can use Google Meet (the video sharing function that replaces Google Hangouts) if you have G Suite and have signed a BAA with them. I don’t recommend it if you have other options because it doesn’t look as professional as other purpose-built platforms and lacks the interactivity of a good telepractice platform, but it will do if it must.
Starting with the ever-popular HIPAA- compliance (remember, you have to be able to sign a BAA with whatever platform you choose) are some features that you should look for in a teletherapy platform:
Required Teletherapy Platform Features
HIPAA-compliance: all of the platforms that I list here and in my Teletherapy Platform Comparison Chart offer HIPAA compliant plans. You have to check with each platform about how to sign the BAA- some will send one automatically, and others you will have to ask.
Screen-sharing capability: you will want to be able to share PDFs and other windows while working with clients. This is a non-negotiable feature. To learn more about screen sharing, check out this blog post.
Interactivity/annotation capability for both you and the client: the ability to draw/write on the screen, such as when working on a PDF worksheet, is hugely motivating and useful! This feature is not strictly a deal-breaker, especially if you have adult clients, but being able to circle things, highlight words, and or even have the client circle or draw on the screen is highly recommended when working with kids via teletherapy.
Software download: there are always going to be hiccups when starting any client with teletherapy, but things get even more complicated when a client has to download software for it. Think about your ideal client or current clients- do they have the technical skills to download software and have a computer with a webcam? One way that I make this process easier is by using my hybrid therapy model so I can set up the software and walk my clients through it on our in-person evaluation visit. This helps avoid many issues. (Not sure what that hybrid model is? Check out Part 1 of my Telepractice in Action series: How to Add Teletherapy to Your Private Practice)
Device compatibility: it is not recommended to use a phone or tablet for teletherapy due to software mismatches, difficulty with screen size, and lack of optimal audio and video features on those devices. However, your clients will still want to use those devices whether you tell them to or not- so does your platform allow use on a phone or tablet?
Screen recording: you sometimes might want or need to record your session- perhaps for a parent or for later viewing for your own edification. Does the platform allow screen recording, and if so, is it an additional fee?
Games or Resources: some telepractice platforms offer games and other resources right within the software itself. These are almost exclusively directed at children, so if your caseload is primarily adults, you may not need this feature. These also tend to use a lot of bandwidth, so if you or your clients are in an area without great internet, playing games might slow your connection down.
SLP Teletherapy Platform Options
Here is a list of the most common telepractice platforms/protals used by SLPs. For a detailed look at all of the features, check out the comparison chart in my Freebie Library.
Platforms specifically for SLPs:
General Telepractice/Video Chat Platforms:
Google Meet (only HIPAA-compliant if using GSuite as well; see note above)
VSee- as of 3/16/2020, they no longer offer a Free plan
Zoom- be sure to sign the BAA with them
Those are my tips! Do you have any other tips or platforms that I missed? Share them below!
I curated my favorite teletherapy resources and office supplies available on Amazon- check them out!
I offer individual, personalized consultations to help you set up your own telepractice services. I can help you choose the best platform for your needs, walk you through setting it up, and even train you and your team how to use it!
If you want more information about starting a practice, including an in-depth guide to setting up a telepractice space, it's available in my Private Practice Foundations course from Northern Speech Services- a one-stop guide to starting your private practice.
