Written by Mariya Kika, M.H.Sc., Reg. CASLPO, Speech-Language Pathologist
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After looking into speech therapy, you’ve come to the decision that the best medium for you is virtual; this could be because of your location, your schedule, or your current mobility and energy levels. Regardless, it's reasonable to wonder how work on speech, voice or swallowing can happen through a screen.
In practice, a virtual session looks a lot like an in-person one, but you avoid the drive, the parking lot, and the waiting room. This guide covers what to expect, what you need, and when in-person care might suit you better.
In plain language: Virtual speech therapy is a live session with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) over a secure video call. You need a device with a camera, a reliable internet connection and a quiet space. In Ontario, virtual care follows the same professional standards as in-person care, and you need to be in the province during each session.
What is virtual speech therapy?
Virtual speech therapy is a live, one-to-one session with an SLP over a secure video call. It's also called online speech therapy, teletherapy, telehealth, or telepractice. It isn't an app, or AI, or a library of recorded exercises.
The overall process mirrors in-person care. It usually starts with a consultation and an assessment. You work with the same clinician throughout your treatment, mutually set goals, and they’ll continue to adjust treatment to reflect your goals and progress. Sessions will taper off as goals are met.
What do you need for online speech therapy?
The setup for online speech therapy is simple:
A device with a camera and microphone. A laptop, tablet or phone will work. A larger screen makes reading and picture tasks easier.
A reliable internet connection. If you can stream a show without it buffering or cutting, a video session will usually run well.
A quiet, private space. Sit facing a window or lamp so the light falls on your face rather than behind you. Ensure that your space is closed off (i.e., a closed office) and request that others in your household don’t interrupt you during your sessions.
Your everyday aids. Glasses, hearing aids, a glass of water, a pen and paper, and anything else you may need.
Headphones help in a busy household, but they're not required.
Any concerns you have about operating technology or accessing virtual sessions are best raised in initial consultations so your SLP can address them prior to starting treatment.
What happens in a virtual speech therapy session?
You’ll be sent a secure link prior to your session. Upon opening the link, you’ll meet with your SLP in a private room and they will check that you can see and hear each other clearly prior to beginning the session.
Depending on your goals, a session might include:
Conversation and word-finding practice
Pictures, reading or writing tasks shared on screen
Voice and speech exercises
Swallowing work with your own food and drink, at your own table
Planning a real task, like a phone call or a meeting, then rehearsing it
One practical advantage is that you practise in the setting where you'll use the skill: your kitchen, your desk, your own phone. You can share your screen and work directly on your laptop (without ever having to lug it into a clinic).
Each session typically ends with a clear plan for what to work on before the next one.
Is virtual speech therapy private and regulated in Ontario?
Yes. Speech-language pathologists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), which has standards for virtual care. Registered SLPs follow the same professional obligations online as they do in person, including informed consent, privacy and record-keeping.
When inquiring about virtual treatment, you may ask about the video platform that is used and how your information is protected.
You can confirm that an SLP is registered by searching CASLPO's public register.
Who is virtual speech therapy a good fit for?
Virtual speech therapy for adults and teens can be a good fit if:
Travel is difficult because of fatigue, pain, mobility, distance, or other factors
You want to practise in your real home or work setting
Your schedule makes clinic visits hard to fit in
There's no SLP near you who works with your condition
Virtual intervention is not a “second-best” option or a last resort. Well-trained SLPs can provide the same level of care across modalities.
Having said that, in-person care will be preferred in situations where device usage or certain swallow tests such as FEES are required. These will be arranged through your family doctor.
Can a family member join a virtual session?
Yes, if you'd like them to. Many people choose to have a family member or support person involved, to varying degrees. They can help with setting up the device, join for part of a session, or learn how to support practice between sessions. Canada's stroke guidelines, for example, recommend involving families from the start of rehabilitation.
How much they take part is your decision. Some people only want help setting up devices, where others ask family members to join at the end for caregiver training or support with home programming.
Can you get speech therapy online if you live outside a big city?
Yes. Virtual sessions help reduce the barrier to skilled intervention and reduces the limitations of geographical location. This means that regardless of if you live in the suburbs, a small town, or a rural region, you can access the treatment you need.
About the author
Mariya Kika is a registered speech-language pathologist and the founder of Cognicare Speech Therapy, operating virtually across Ontario. She holds a Master of Health Science from the University of Toronto. She previously worked as the sole speech-language pathologist in an intensive outpatient program with the University Health Network. She is a member of the Canadian Concussion Network, Ontario Brain Injury Association, Toronto Brain Injury Association, FND Society, and Canadian Telerehab Community of Practice.
For more on how Cognicare can help you, see the Services overview.