Is Telehealth Effective for Therapy? What Clinicians Need to Know

Telehealth is no longer just a backup plan—it’s a standard care option in speech, occupational, and physical therapy. For many clinicians, the key question has shifted from “Should I use telehealth?” to “When and how should I use telehealth for the best patient outcomes?”

Evidence now shows that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person care for many patients, provided it’s delivered by skilled, licensed professionals with the right tools and strategies. At All Care Therapies, we’ve seen this firsthand through both our clinical work and independent research.

In this article, we’ll review the latest evidence, share a real-life case study from our own practice, and discuss what clinicians should consider when deciding to use telehealth.

The Evidence: What Research Says About Telehealth in Therapy

The body of research on teletherapy effectiveness has expanded rapidly, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread adoption. Across multiple disciplines, findings are consistent: telehealth can match in-person therapy outcomes in many cases.

• Speech-Language Pathology
  A 2020 study published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association found that pediatric speech-language therapy via telehealth produced outcomes comparable to in-person care, with high levels of caregiver satisfaction and engagement.
  
  
• Occupational Therapy
  Research in Frontiers in Pediatrics and the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention shows that telehealth effectively supports fine motor, sensory, and self-care skill development, particularly when caregivers are actively involved.
  
  
• Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
  A study in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery demonstrated that virtual rehabilitation programs significantly improved pain, range of motion, and functional performance, often with similar results to clinic-based programs.
  
  

Key takeaway: When clinicians apply evidence-based interventions through telehealth, patient progress can be just as strong as with traditional sessions—sometimes with the added benefit of greater accessibility and family participation.

All Care Therapies Case Study: Teletherapy for a Child with Autism

Our pediatric speech therapists worked with a 6-year-old child diagnosed with autism who required speech therapy to support expressive language and social communication skills. The family faced scheduling and transportation challenges, so we delivered care entirely through telehealth.

Approach:

• Weekly, 45-minute speech therapy sessions via our SLP-tele platform
• Use of visual schedules, interactive activities, and parent coaching
• Ongoing progress monitoring through caregiver feedback and standardized measures
  
  

Results after 3 months:

• The child achieved 80% of targeted goals in expressive vocabulary and turn-taking skills
• Caregiver participation increased significantly, as parents could observe and learn strategies in real time
• Skills were maintained between sessions, and no regression was observed during consistent attendance
  
  

Clinical insight: In this case, telehealth enhanced the family’s role in therapy, leading to better generalization of skills in daily life.

When Telehealth Works Best—and When It May Not

While teletherapy can be highly effective, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution—and that’s actually one of its strengths. Telehealth gives clinicians more flexibility to tailor care to the individual patient, but it also requires thoughtful case selection and planning.

Telehealth is often most effective when:

• Geography or logistics create barriers – Patients in rural communities, multi-therapist households, or families juggling multiple children’s appointments often find telehealth the most sustainable way to receive consistent care.
  
  
• Therapy goals can be met through demonstration and coaching – Interventions that involve modeling, structured activities, or guided home exercises adapt well to a virtual setting.
  
  
• Caregiver involvement is possible and consistent – In pediatric therapy especially, active caregiver participation during sessions increases carryover of skills and accelerates progress.
  
  
• Continuity of care is critical – Telehealth helps maintain momentum when in-person sessions aren’t possible due to illness, transportation issues, or weather disruptions.
  
  

However, telehealth may be less effective when:

• Hands-on facilitation is essential – Certain manual therapy techniques, tone modulation, or complex gait training may require in-person delivery for safety and precision.
  
  
• Behavioral or attention challenges limit engagement – Patients who have difficulty attending to a screen, managing impulses, or staying seated may struggle to participate meaningfully without physical redirection.
  
  
• Technology barriers interfere – Poor internet connectivity, outdated devices, or limited digital literacy can disrupt session flow and reduce therapeutic impact.
  
  
• Home environment is not conducive to therapy – Excessive noise, frequent interruptions, or lack of a safe, open space for movement can hinder progress.
  
  

Clinical takeaway: Telehealth is most successful when patient readiness, caregiver support, and environmental factors align with the therapy goals. For some patients, a hybrid care model—starting with telehealth and transitioning to in-person for specific interventions—can combine the best of both approaches, ensuring flexibility without compromising clinical quality.

Clinical Best Practices for Successful Telehealth Therapy

To ensure telehealth meets the same quality standards—and in many cases, the same patient outcomes—as in-person care, clinicians must approach it with the same rigor, intentionality, and creativity they use in the clinic.

1. Screen for telehealth readiness
   Before initiating services, conduct a structured assessment of:

• • Technology access – Internet stability, device type, and audio/video quality
  • Environment – Availability of a quiet, well-lit space with minimal distractions
  • Caregiver support – Ability and willingness to be present when needed
  • Patient suitability – Cognitive, behavioral, and sensory readiness for virtual engagement

2. Leverage interactive tools to maintain engagement
   Virtual therapy can be just as dynamic as in-person when clinicians make use of:

• • Digital whiteboards for drawing, labeling, and visual cues
  • Screen-sharing to present worksheets, games, or instructional videos
  • Interactive apps tailored to therapy goals (speech drills, coordination games, sequencing activities)
  • Video modeling for skill demonstration and step-by-step instruction

3. Train caregivers as active therapy partners
   In telehealth—especially for pediatric and medically complex patients—caregivers often take on a more hands-on role. This is a strength when clinicians:

• • Clearly explain the why behind each activity

• • Provide simple, repeatable instructions for home practice

• • Offer real-time feedback during the session so caregivers can adjust their technique

• • Share take-home resources (e.g., video clips, step-by-step guides) for consistent follow-through

4. Maintain rigorous progress monitoring and documentation
   Telehealth does not mean relaxed standards for tracking outcomes. Clinicians should:

• • Use the same standardized assessments and goal-tracking tools as in-person care

• • Document environmental and participation factors that might impact progress

• • Regularly review data with caregivers and referring providers to ensure transparency

• • Adjust treatment plans proactively based on results and feedback
    
    

5. Foster collaboration with the care team
   Because telehealth can remove logistical barriers, it’s easier to:

• • Invite referring physicians, case managers, or school-based therapists to join sessions
    
    
  • Hold brief, secure virtual check-ins with other providers to align goals
    
    
  • Share progress updates in real time via secure portals or EHR messaging
    This level of collaboration helps ensure continuity of care across disciplines and settings.
    
    

6. Build rapport intentionally
   Without the shared physical space of an office, clinicians must be deliberate about creating connection:

• • Start each session with a personal check-in

• • Use consistent greetings and rituals to build comfort and predictability

• • Incorporate patient interests into activities to increase buy-in

• • Maintain strong eye contact through the camera to create presence
    
    

Clinical takeaway: The best telehealth sessions are not simply “in-person therapy on a screen.” They’re designed with virtual delivery in mind—maximizing technology, caregiver engagement, and patient participation to produce equal or better outcomes.

Conclusion: Telehealth as a Clinically Sound Option

The research is clear: for many patients, telehealth is a proven, effective, and patient-centered way to deliver therapy. When clinicians select appropriate cases, use evidence-based practices, and engage caregivers, teletherapy can achieve results equal to—and sometimes better than—traditional models.

At All Care Therapies, we’re committed to helping clinicians deliver timely, specialized care in whatever format works best for the patient—online, in-person, or both.

References:

1. Grogan-Johnson, S., Meehan, R., McCormick, K., & Miller, N. (2020). Results of a pilot telepractice program for school-based speech therapy services. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.
   
   
2. Camden, C., et al. (2020). Pediatric telehealth: Opportunities created by the COVID-19 and suggestions to sustain its use to support families of children with disabilities. Frontiers in Pediatrics.
   
   
3. Bini, S. A., et al. (2020). Effects of virtual exercise rehabilitation in-home on functional outcomes in orthopedic patients. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.