FAQs

Yes. Our network includes service providers licensed to serve in all 50 states.

Yes, always! Our greatest asset is our pool of clinicians, because they’re our points of contact with the individuals we serve. As our client base grows to reach more people in need of exceptional services, so must our network of exceptional therapists. If you’re passionate about what you do and want to convey that passion over the screen, one-to-one, with clients you’re licensed to treat, we invite you to submit an application here. You can also contact our call center at 855-274-9582 to learn more about applicant requirements.

All that’s needed for live sessions with one of our therapists is an Internet-connected computer (desktop, laptop, or tablet) equipped with camera, microphone, and speakers — all standard on today’s electronic devices. For clients who also wish to take advantage of our proprietary TalkPath Classroom practice platform, it, too, can be accessed online, but it can also be accessed offline via our iOS app downloaded to an iPad. The technological requirements to use TalkPath Live are quite minimal, and our technicians are readily available to assist with any questions or issues.

TalkPath Live’s current service options include: speech-language therapy; occupational therapy; physical therapy; early intervention services; mental health and behavioral counseling; direct academic instruction; and pyschoeducational assessment. All of these service options have been firmly established as viable and effective forms of telepractice. As the field of telepractice grows, so too will our menu of services, so check back to our website often for developmental updates.

We use videoconferencing technology to connect our clients with our therapists. As part of our product, clients are also able to take advantage of TalkPath Classroom, our HIPAA, FERPA, and COPPA-compliant private and secure proprietary platform that offers a host of therapeutic tools and exercises for anytime use. After outfitting clients with what they need to access and use our program, our IT Department offers free unlimited tech support and ensures that clients and clinicians connect safely and confidentially.

We understand that unforeseen occurrences sometimes cause clients to be unavailable for scheduled sessions during designated times, and we try to be as flexible about that as we can. For our school clients, for instance, we allow for some unbilled missed sessions because we appreciate the issue of student absenteeism affecting daily schedules. However, in most cases, to make sure that other clients’ therapy time isn’t negatively impacted by unexpected scheduling changes, we ask for 24 hours’ advance notice of cancellation when at all possible so that we can reallocate that time slot to someone else who may be waiting for availability. TalkPath Live reserves the right to charge a fee (up to but not exceeding 50% of the session price) if less than 24 hours’ notice is given.

No, TalkPath Live can also be delivered as group therapy, which is defined as clinically supervised and directed therapy sessions with more than two participants. Small-group therapy is an excellent option for a few students in the same school who need the same type of targeted attention or for a few residents in the same health care facility who are dealing with similar types of challenges and could thus benefit from a group setting (not to mention the benefits of cost-sharing!). Research shows that group speech therapy, for example, is equally as effective as independent speech therapy and is also a great way to improve interaction with others and gain/regain social skills.

Our network of speech therapists consists of only certified speech-language pathologists who are specially trained to provide online speech therapy and who are licensed to practice in the states in which they treat clients. Our team of SLPs has extensive experience providing therapy for children and adults, and we’re adding to that team every day to extend our reach even farther and to offer even more specialization.

Yes, absolutely. For well over a decade, researchers and practitioners have been conducting studies and gathering data on the best and most effective uses of speech teletherapy. You can start with a partial list of recent research articles here. TPL can supply an even fuller list for interested parties or you can find plentiful research studies online that endorse, explain, and evidence this modern-day therapy delivery method.

In addition to the standard prerequisite of a computer with an Internet connection, of course, an external webcam is used for OT services so that the occupational therapist can see the client’s hands and body when needed, not just his/her face. As such, you’ll want to be able to adjust the position of the camera without compromising your view of the computer screen.

Just like it does in person! Your therapist might incorporate high-tech solutions (such as cool websites and web-based tools) into your customized treatment plan to address your goals, but more often than not, your therapist will use familiar and favorite activities, like modeling clay, yoga or other body movement activities, games, and more.

Telehealth has been identified as a valid way to deliver OT services, with outcomes equal to or greater than in-person services. When applicable, we use an e-helper to act as our hands, so to speak, and this e-helper can be any adult present with the client, partnering with us during treatment sessions. This collaborative model is what makes therapy possible and helps with carryover in between sessions.

TalkPath Live’s therapists strive to use common materials during therapy sessions so that you are not required to buy any special equipment. We can send a list of useful materials to have nearby, all of which are common household objects.

Although there are some severe conditions and/or special circumstances for which in-person services are necessary, the truth is that the large majority of clients can benefit from virtual therapy services in some form. We see a variety of children and adults to address their fine motor skills, motor coordination, self-help skills, sensory processing, executive functioning, visual perceptual, and more. If you are interested in services, just fill out this form and you will be contacted for a free screening to determine if telehealth OT is a good fit for you, your child, or your loved one.

TalkPath Live provides EI services using a secure video connection. The therapist or EI specialist supplies a link the family can use to log in to a private therapy room for each session.

Telehealth services are best administered using a coaching model. Family members act as eHelpers to implement strategies recommended by the therapist. Furthermore, because most EI services recommend using the materials available within a child’s daily environment, telehealth naturally follows this recommendation as well. TalkPath Live’s EI therapists are well versed in incorporating materials that are readily available, using creative strategies to address areas of need.

Yes. Outcomes measures are showing progress equal to or greater than in-person services. The collaborative nature of telehealth helps families understand the hows and whys of early intervention services, resulting in more carryover between sessions. Colorado created a pilot program for EI services using a telehealth model, and the program was so successful that it now utilizes “live video visits” statewide. Other states, such as New Jersey, have followed suit.

The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management from Utah State University has put together free training resources for families, providers, and administrators. You can access them here: http://www.infanthearing.org/ti101/. You can also contact TalkPath Live to speak with a clinician regarding your family’s needs.