Why Online Therapy?

Online therapy or telehealth/telepractice allows people to connect with therapy supports through video sessions and the internet. At Therapy Connect, we use Zoom to facilitate therapy sessions and a mix of emails and text messages to stay connected and communicate with clients in between sessions.

Online therapy has been practised since 2005; we’ve been an online therapy provider since 2015 and are the leading NDIS provider for online therapy.

Yes, we are 100% funded by the NDIS and are a leading NDIS online therapy provider.

Online therapy has unique benefits and advantages. Online therapy provides accessible and equitable healthcare, removing location as a barrier to quality therapy supports. We can connect clients Australia-wide with highly-qualified practitioners across disciplines through the internet.

Research shows unique benefits in engagement, specifically when working with autistic clients or those with learning differences. Online therapy allows a child to learn in their natural environment (home, school etc.). They learn in an environment their comfortable and familiar with and can integrate therapy strategies into their daily social routines.

Online therapy also relies on a ‘family-centred’ approach. Because of the physical distance between the child/client and caregivers/families, practitioners must communicate, collaborate and engage with all parties. This means an inclusive approach to therapy, focusing on outcomes for the child and the competence and confidence of the caregivers/family. 

For more benefits to online engagement, read this article.

We individualise our approach depending on the needs of our clients, often using a combination of the following:

Direct therapy can look like activities via screen sharing, which can include shared control, using resources in the home such as a child’s favourite toys, books, etc. Songs and dancing together and moving in imitation of the practitioner. We use items and areas in the clients’ own home/backyard to engage through online therapy.

Indirect therapy can include creating client-specific resources and liaising with others involved in care and learning, such as caregivers/families, teachers, etc.

Practitioner-parent coaching is where practitioners work closely with caregivers/families to support the client/child with activities/games/therapy strategies etc. For some, this is why they prefer online therapy, and it suits caregivers/families who want to play an active role in their child reaching their goals

We currently have 70+ practitioners offering Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Physiotherapy, and Psychology. 

We have services for all ages and specialise in working with children.

The decision between online therapy and Face to Face Therapy is a preference. Whilst there are advantages to both, common reasons people choose online therapy are:

• Location: those living in remote, regional or rural areas may not have access to highly-qualified therapists and choose online therapy
• Convenience: removing travel time, reducing travel anxiety specifically with clients who may not feel comfortable in new settings, having sessions at home/school/work
• Flexibility: as sessions are online, we offer schedule flexibility (before, during, after school), multiple locations (parent connecting at work for a session whilst a child is at home/school), ability to rewatch recorded sessions if not able to attend
• Family-centred: our paediatric sessions are planned in collaboration with caregivers/families. Caregivers/families who want to actively support their child in reaching their goals may prefer this approach to build their own competence and confidence.