February Teletherapist Spotlight Courtney Burrall, MA CCC-SLP

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Courtney Burrall, MA CCC-SLP

 

It’s a pleasure to introduce our February Teletherapist Spotlight, Courtney Burrall.

 

1. What strategies do you use to keep your students motivated and engaged during their sessions, especially on days when they might feel distracted or unmotivated?

I start each session by checking in with my students. Children experience the ups and downs, frustrations, and excitement of their day just as adults do so it is important to know what our starting point in the session may be. I take time to explore why a student is feeling unmotivated or upset, and give them space to express those emotions. By honoring and respecting their challenges, it helps us move forward during the session in a way that still allows us to accomplish our objectives. Many of my students benefit from brief brain breaks or movement breaks during a session to help them refocus their attention. Also it is important to be flexible and quickly switch up a lesson plan to better accommodate a student’s level of motivation that day.

2. Can you share some of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had while working with students in rural areas through teletherapy?

Far and away the most rewarding experience I have had through teletherapy is connecting with people in other parts of the country, learning about the culture and linguistic diversity of the region we serve, and building relationships with families. One of the best things about my job is seeing my students grow and change through the years as well as receiving feedback from families on the successes they see with their children’s communication development at home.

3. What role do parents and caregivers play in the success of teletherapy, and how do you involve them in the therapeutic process?

Parents and caregivers are critical to a child’s success in the therapeutic process. As I tell my students, you don’t master an instrument or sport by practicing once a week. Support at home allows a student to practice their skills throughout the week, bridging the gap from therapy to real-life. Teletherapy creates amazing opportunities for us to connect with families more frequently through the convenience of virtual meetings in addition to the traditional methods of phone calls and emails. Geographical distance is no longer a barrier. I provide families with resources (i.e. handouts, materials, homework) including how to use items they have at home to encourage learning new concepts. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and I often encourage parents to use “low-tech” resources at home. Reading books, talking about experiences you are sharing with your child, problem-solving out loud, and giving them opportunities to share about their day. All of these are strategies families can easily employ to engage their child’s development of communication at home.

4. How do you stay updated with the latest research and developments in speech-language pathology to ensure your sessions are effective?

Research and adhering to evidence-based practice is critical to a clinician’s effectiveness and a client’s success. The American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) is our professional organization for speech-language pathology, audiology, and speech-hearing science. Membership in ASHA ensures an SLP is nationally certified and maintains continuing education requirements to stay up to date on the latest research. I utilize ASHA research journals, seminars, and conventions to expand my knowledge and keep current as a clinician in our ever-changing field.

5. What are some common myths about teletherapy, and how do you address them with new clients or their families?

The most common myth is that teletherapy is not as effective as in-person therapy. Teletherapy has been around long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and in that time there have been multiple studies showing teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy. I encourage parents to be a part of the process! Engagement with families is critical to demonstrating the effectiveness of therapy. I have had many parents express concern about teletherapy at the start and I encourage them to observe my sessions, ask questions, and keep in close communication about a child’s progress. After establishing a relationship with families and clients, trust is built that not only do we have the client’s best interest in mind but also that they are being provided qualify, effective treatment.

6. How do you manage your workload and ensure you have a healthy work-life balance?

Finding a work-life balance is challenging but even more so when working from home. I keep a strict routine with my mornings to start the day off right- getting in a morning walk before the workday starts and enjoying coffee while I respond to emails and prepare for the day. I make sure to take a lunch break away from the computer with another quick walk outside if I have space for it in my day. Time management is critical when working from home as well as reducing distractions during the workday. A key to keeping balance for me is having a dedicated space to work- I try to stay out of my office on weekends and evenings to help maintain a boundary between work and home.

7. What advice would you give to new SLP who is just starting their career in teletherapy?

When getting started keep in mind that essentially every material and strategy for in-person therapy can be translated into teletherapy. It can seem daunting at first, but the therapy methods we use are no different. My students are engaged and excited about using technology to learn. But it doesn’t have to be all apps and websites! My younger students love when I pull a picture book off my shelf at home to read and discuss. My older students incorporate what we are learning online by completing hands-on projects and writing tasks. Everything you have used in-person can be used in teletherapy, sometimes you just get to think out of the box a little more than you did before!

8. How do you adapt your therapy techniques for students of different age groups, from preschoolers to high schoolers?

One thing I love about working with my clients is learning about who they are as people, their learning styles, passions, and the strengths they already have for us to build upon in therapy. With my younger students, they love songs, movement, and an energetic therapist! For my older students, it’s important to meet them on their level and engage them in their unique interests. Especially at the high school level, these kids have established visions for their future and it is important to take those into consideration when choosing materials and activities to target in therapy.

Courtney is one of many of our Teletherapists at Unlimited Teletherapy that is passionate, nurturing, and committed to supporting students to meet their individual goals. We are honored to have him on our team!