Ellie talks with Glory Lichon of Glowbright Therapy about how she built a teletherapy practice that serves early intervention families across multiple states. Glory shares her transition from school based burnout to becoming a teletherapy SLP and CEO, and how she created systems that allow her team to provide high quality parent coaching through a virtual model.They discuss why early intervention teletherapy is an effective primary service delivery model, how online parent coaching strengthens progress at home, and what clinicians need to understand about the possibilities of telepractice. Glory also offers insight on nervous system regulation, sustainable leadership, and the mindset shifts that helped her grow beyond direct service.This episode is for any SLP exploring teletherapy, navigating burnout, or interested in creating a values aligned telepractice that expands access to care while preserving wellbeing.Glow Bright Therapy WebsiteElevate Beyond Boundaries WebsiteGlory Lichon on Instagram
In this episode, Ellie reconnects with Brittany from Little Moose Speech Therapy to talk honestly about life after leaving traditional employment. Brittany shares how working for herself opened the door to writing her first children’s book, A Tale of Empathy, building a playful and effective presence on Instagram, and creating new income streams through parent consults and creative community events. Together they explore what it is really like to work remotely as speech language pathologists, how they stay connected with colleagues, and how ADHD, patience, and boundaries shape the way they do business. If you are a therapist who wants more flexibility, sustainability, and room for real life in your work, this candid conversation will give you both validation and practical encouragement.WebsiteInstagramPurchase A Tail of Empathy
This episode is for the parents out there who are starting virtual therapy with their kids. In this episode you'll learn how online speech therapy works, what to expect in teletherapy sessions, and simple ways parents can support their child at home.Website: https://theessentialteletherapist.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theessentialteletherapist/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566987832697YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEssentialTeletherapist
In this episode Ellie sits down with speech language pathologist and creator Stacy Crouse to talk about what it really looks like to build a sustainable teletherapy career and a thriving Teachers Pay Teachers store. Stacy shares how she moved from a pediatric clinic into online speech therapy long before twenty twenty, why flexibility at home with her kids shaped every career decision, and how she started designing digital materials in PowerPoint to better serve K - 12 students. You will hear practical ideas for using technology in speech therapy, from platforms for virtual sessions to iPad apps and YouTube videos for idioms multiple meaning words and R therapy. They also explore how teletherapy can help SLPs feel more grounded and present, what makes a student a good fit for virtual speech therapy, and ways to start small with one or two online clients before fully committing. If you are a school based SLP, teletherapist, or therapist entrepreneur who wants to use technology to make sessions easier while protecting your energy at home, this conversation will give you real life examples and encouragement you can use right away.🎧 Tune in for inspiration, laughs, and real-world insight into life as a virtual SLP.Find Stacy here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacycrouse.slp/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.stacycrouse.com/TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/stacy-crouse
In this episode, Ellie talks with New York based SLP and creator of Speech Time Fun, SLP Elevate, and the Secondary SLP Roadmap, Hallie Sherman. They discuss how to confidently serve upper elementary, middle school, and high school speech students, why older learners need explicit teaching instead of endless testing, and how Hallie transitioned from a school based role into a flexible business that supports SLPs worldwide. You will hear practical insight on burnout, mindset, exploring non clinical and non traditional SLP paths, and simple ways to test a new niche or setting without overhauling your whole career. This conversation is for any speech language pathologist who feels stuck, is curious about working with older students, or wants to rediscover their motivation for the field.Hallie shares how she turned her passion for helping busy SLPs into a thriving brand, from self-publishing her children’s book Ella Bella Just Can’t Tell Ya to releasing her upcoming professional guide Secondary SLP Roadmap. 🎧 Follow Hallie on Instagram @SpeechTimeFun and find her resources at SpeechTimeFun.com. Her books are available on her website and Amazon!💫 Don’t forget to hit FOLLOW and those five stars, it helps other SLPs like you find our content!
In this episode, Ellie talks with seasoned SLP and founder of SadieBella Therapy Services, Val Hanigan, about providing high quality teletherapy in complex areas including pediatric feeding, apraxia, oral facial myology, stroke recovery, and AAC. Val shares how she translates hands-on clinical work into a virtual model by focusing on functional outcomes and caregiver coaching. She discusses building family buy-in, setting clear expectations, and giving caregivers permission to pause when life is overwhelming. You will also hear Val’s personal story of sustaining a medical crisis, turning to teletherapy out of necessity, and ultimately building a career that supports chronic illness, body needs, and family life. The conversation covers virtual supervision, pacing, scheduling, and what new clinicians should consider as they move into online care. Perfect for SLPs exploring teletherapy, supporting medically complex clients, or seeking a more sustainable path in the field.Connect with Val here:WebsiteFacebookInstagram
In this episode, Ellie talks with speech language pathologist Karen Astin Schroeder about her path into virtual speech therapy and accent reduction. Karen shares how telepractice gave her the flexibility she needed, why lifestyle should be part of every SLP’s definition of success, and how saying yes to the right opportunities shaped her career. She discusses the support systems that helped her grow, the range of skills she built through diverse clinical experiences, and the practical considerations that make teletherapy both accessible and sustainable for clinicians. This conversation is grounded, encouraging, and especially helpful for SLPs exploring a shift to telepractice, accent modification, or a more flexible career model in the field. If you’re craving inspiration, this one’s for you.Website:https://astinova.com/Instagram: www.astinova.comhttps://www.instagram.com/astinovaslp/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astinovakids/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astinovaslp/
What if you didn’t have to do everything yourself?In this episode, Ellie talks with speech language pathologist and virtual assistant Jenna Cairo about how she built a thriving VA business while working full time in the schools and parenting two young children. Jenna shares how she went from searching LinkedIn for flexible side jobs to launching her own virtual assistant services for SLPs and quickly growing to 14 clients in just a few months.She explains what it looks like to specialize as an SLP virtual assistant for private practice owners and telepractice clinicians, including concrete examples of the tasks she takes off their plates: scheduling and systems, mileage tracking, social media content, Canva marketing, billing follow up, and practice operations. Jenna and Ellie also talk about the mindset shifts needed to delegate, how to know when you are ready to hire a VA, and how even a few hours a month can reduce overwhelm for school based and private practice SLPs. This conversation is especially helpful for speech therapists who feel stretched thin, are curious about bringing on a virtual assistant, or are considering starting their own SLP focused VA side business.Connect with Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennacairova/Visit her website to learn more!www.jennacairova.com
In this episode, Ellie chats with Jodie Wallis, a pediatric feeding therapist, about her journey supporting medically complex children. They explore the transition to teletherapy, coaching and empowering parents, using props and visuals in virtual sessions, navigating tricky insurance waters, and maintaining work-life balance. Jodie shares insights on sustaining connection and care in the evolving world of pediatric feeding therapy.Flourishing Kids Therapy & Lactation on InstagramFlourishing Kids Therapy & Lactation on FacebookWebsite
In this mini episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, I share practical, creative ways SLPs can use everyday household objects to boost engagement in virtual sessions. From paper towel puppets to scavenger hunts, I share reminders that great therapy doesn’t require fancy tools—just a little imagination and what’s already within reach. Bonus: Grab the free cheat sheet to get started!
In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist, Ellie sits down with Elise Mitchell, a virtual school contracting expert and teletherapy advocate who has supported more than sixteen thousand therapists through her trainings and resources. Together, they explore what it really looks like to step into virtual school contracting as a speech language pathologist, including how Elise made the shift into teletherapy, why she chose direct contracts with districts, and what she wishes more SLPs knew before they start. Elise and Ellie break down the key skills needed to succeed with online school contracts, from demonstrating your value to administrators and confidently setting rates, to managing expectations and staying grounded in your role as a contracted teletherapist. They discuss practical strategies for networking through virtual coffees, nurturing professional relationships, and using persistence in a way that feels aligned with your values rather than salesy or pushy. Whether you are curious about leaving an employee role, already providing virtual school based speech therapy, or simply exploring teletherapy as a flexible career path, this conversation offers clear, realistic guidance. You will walk away with next steps for pursuing virtual school contracts, a better understanding of the mindset shift from employee to contractor, and encouragement to see yourself as a professional partner to the schools you serve.Want to learn more from Elise? Use my affiliate link below to access her course—and don’t forget to enter code ELLIE at checkout for a discount!The Therapist Support Network Affiliate LinkInstagram: The Therapist Support NetworkFacebook: The Therapist Support Network
In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, join me for a heartfelt conversation with my long-time friend, Ali Manahan, owner of Word Play Speech Therapy LLC. We explore our two-decade journey together—from students to private practice owners—and share the ups and downs of building careers in speech-language pathology. Ali opens up about her innovative approach to therapy, including the creation of her WordPlay Boxes, which help families bring therapy into the home. We also discuss teletherapy's impact on our work, the future of asynchronous methods, and advice for new SLPs. Tune in for insights on friendship, private practice, and evolving with teletherapy. Ali’s Website: www.wordplayspeechtherapy.com Ali’s Instagram: word.play.speech.therapy Ali’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordplayspeechtherapyllc Ali’s Teletherapy tip: Find a book on YouTube, pause it at the beginning and click through the video with your arrow key to turn the pages. Now you can read it to your clients on your time! www.theessentialteletherapist.com
In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, we dive into three key strategies to boost engagement in virtual sessions: make it personal, make it efficient, and make it interactive. From tailoring activities to client interests, keeping sessions structured, and using interactive tools, these tips will help create dynamic and impactful teletherapy experiences. Tune in for practical ideas that make virtual sessions enjoyable and effective for clients of all ages! www.theessentialteletherapist.com
In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, I sit down with Brittany Brennan, owner of Seedlings Speech Therapy LLC, to discuss the power of taking intentional breaks, reflecting on our growth, and aligning future goals with our values. Brittany and I explore how pausing can fuel creativity, prevent burnout, and help us return to our work with fresh perspectives. We dive into the importance of reflection for personal and professional growth, and how setting intentional, value-driven goals shapes a fulfilling career path. Whether you’re in teletherapy or any demanding field, this conversation offers valuable insights on building a career—and life—that feels purposeful and balanced.Brittany’s Website: www.seedlingsspeech.comBrittany’s Facebook: Seedlings Speech Therapy LLCBrittany’s Teletherapy Tip: Utilize Annotate! In Zoom, the "Annotate" feature allows you to draw, highlight, or add text to shared screens. It’s a useful tool for collaboration during both meetings and therapy sessions, to visually emphasize certain areas, make comments, or illustrate ideas in real-time.
In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, we're busting some common myths about teletherapy that might be holding you back. From doubts about its effectiveness to fears about the tech, we'll dive into research-backed insights and personal experiences that show teletherapy is more effective and approachable than many realize. Whether you’re an experienced teletherapist or just starting out, this episode will help you understand how teletherapy can be as impactful, personal, and manageable as traditional therapy. Join us as we tackle these myths and boost your confidence in virtual practice! References: Edirippulige, S., et al. (2020). Comparing the Effectiveness of Speech Therapy Delivered via Telepractice and In-Person. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Simpson, R., et al. (2019). Client Satisfaction and Engagement in Teletherapy: A Telemedicine and e-Health Perspective. Telemedicine and e-Health. Parmanto, B., et al. (2021). Overcoming Initial Tech Barriers in Teletherapy: A Practitioner’s Experience. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. www.theessentialteletherapist.com
In this episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast, Ellie Richter and Brittany Musholt, owner of Little Moose Speech Therapy LLC, discuss the evolving world of telepractice, especially in light of the pandemic. They dive into the challenges and rewards of virtual speech therapy, the tools that make teletherapy effective, and share advice for SLPs considering the switch to virtual services. From building relationships remotely to exploring the future of teletherapy, this episode offers insights and practical tips for SLPs at every stage of their teletherapy journey.Brittany’s Website: www.littlemoosespeechtherapyllc.comBrittany’s Instagram: BrittMooseSLPBrittany’s Facebook: Little Moose Speech Therapy, LLCBrittany’s Teletherapy Tip: Consider obtaining a Google Voice phone number to maintain your privacy while communicating with school districts and families. This allows you to avoid sharing your personal phone number and enables you to screen incoming calls, helping to establish boundaries by responding to messages only during your contracted hours. Let's Connect! Find me on Instagramwww.theessentialteletherapist.com
Welcome to the very first episode of The Essential Teletherapist Podcast! Today, I’m thrilled to share my journey into teletherapy, a path that began unexpectedly during the early days of the pandemic and ultimately transformed my career and private practice. In this episode, we explore what it means to be an “essential” teletherapist and how teletherapy can be a powerful, flexible option for delivering speech therapy. From my personal challenges to the importance of mentorship, community, and continuous learning, I hope to inspire you to embrace this rewarding model. Join me as we dive into the highs, lows, and lessons that come with being a teletherapist in a changing world. Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram www.theessentialteletherapist.com