Angela C., M.Ed., was born and raised in Iowa and attended college at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has worked as a school psychologist and counselor in public and private brick-and-mortar schools for over 18 years. She joined the PL Care Network in 2018.
How has the PL online platform enabled you to help your students and the schools you serve in new ways?
The students enjoy the interaction via teletherapy as they are so adept with technology. I am also able to easily work with multiple students in one day since there is no commute time in between school locations. The PL platform lets me maximize my time for the benefit of more students.
Can you tell us a little about how you collaborate with teachers and other school staff members?
Considerable communication occurs over email which is convenient for teachers and staff members. Using email, they can quickly message me when they have a free moment. I am also available by phone during school hours or can easily set up a video conference if multiple people want to participate in a discussion.
How do you build trust and rapport with parents?
I always reach out to parents at the start of an evaluation to introduce myself and provide my contact information. I assure parents that I am available by phone or email any time they have questions during the evaluation process. Since most parents are unfamiliar with teletherapy, I outline for them what to expect during the evaluation process and follow up meetings. I assure them we are all working together on the same team in the best interest of their child.
What advice would you give districts considering online therapy?
Teletherapists are a great addition to the variety of ways we can provide services and support to our students. The wide array of backgrounds of teletherapists from around the country brings new insight and experiences to the team. The best part of teletherapy is being able to support more students throughout the week because I am able to virtually travel from school to school with a few keystrokes.
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