When I first heard about teletherapy, my gut response was a hard “No thank you.” As an SLP who spent most of her early career bouncing between schools and private practice, I couldn’t imagine trading in the energy of in-person sessions for a screen. Why would I ever do that?
Let’s just say March 2020 had other plans.
At the time, I was working as a private contractor specializing in motor speech sound disorders when the pandemic forced us all to pivot—fast. Like many therapists, I had to learn how to take everything I knew and recreate it in a virtual environment. And honestly? It was overwhelming.
But something unexpected happened: once I got past the learning curve, I actually started to love virtual therapy. It was efficient, fun, and came with perks I hadn’t even considered—like eating a hot lunch in my own kitchen, writing reports with my cat on my lap, and yes, cozy pants and slippers on the daily.
After a full year of working remotely, I came full circle and reached out to Dayna at Next Level Speech Therapy—the same Dayna who first invited me to try teletherapy years before. This time, I was asking her for a remote job.
That’s when I stepped into a hybrid role supporting a school district in eastern Washington. And let me tell you, it was the perfect bridge between the traditional school-based model and the flexibility of remote work.
Here’s what made the hybrid setup so powerful:
1. The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid work gave me the connection I craved with staff and students while still allowing me to manage most of my caseload from home. It made the whirlwind of school-based therapy feel more manageable and sustainable. I could show up in person when needed but also take advantage of teletherapy’s flexibility and convenience.
2. In-Person Access for Key Moments
For students with low intelligibility or more complex needs, being able to conduct evaluations or occasional sessions in person made a huge difference. It ensured the quality of care remained high and helped build trust with both students and teachers.
3. Confidence Building
Being able to ease into school-based teletherapy (rather than going fully remote overnight) gave me time to build confidence in the tools, platforms, and best practices that make virtual therapy successful. The hybrid model allowed me to refine my skills without feeling isolated or overwhelmed.
4. A Change of Scenery
On a personal note, it was also just plain fun to explore a new part of Washington State. Driving over the mountains to visit my school site became something I looked forward to—a little adventure baked into my workweek.
Considering a Hybrid SLP Role? Here’s My Advice:
If you’re curious about teletherapy but not ready to go all in, hybrid work is an ideal way to test the waters. It offers flexibility without sacrificing connection, and the ability to balance in-person needs with virtual efficiency.
Working in a hybrid role has been one of the most rewarding phases of my career—and I never thought I’d say that back when I first said “no thanks” to teletherapy.
Curious if hybrid could work for you? Let’s talk! At Next Level, we’re helping more SLPs find flexible, fulfilling roles that align with their life and their passion for helping students thrive.
Written by Emily Deal, SLP & Talent Acquisition Specialist for Next Level Speech Therapy
