Clinicians' perspectives of therapeutic alliance in face-to-face and telepractice speech-language pathology sessions.

PURPOSE

To investigate the face validity of a measure of therapeutic alliance for paediatric speech-language pathology and to determine whether a difference exists in therapeutic alliance reported by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) conducting face-to-face sessions, compared with telepractice SLPs or in their ratings of confidence with technology.

METHOD

SLPs conducting telepractice (n = 14) or face-to-face therapy (n = 18) completed an online survey which included the Therapeutic Alliance Scales for Children - Revised (TASC-r) (Therapist Form) to rate clinicians' perceptions of rapport with up to three clients. Participants also reported their overall perception of rapport with each client and their comfort with technology.

RESULT

There was a strong correlation between TASC-r total scores and overall ratings of rapport, providing preliminary evidence of TASC-r face validity. There was no significant difference between TASC-r scores for telepractice and face-to-face therapy (p = 0.961), nor face-to-face and telepractice SLPs' confidence with familiar (p = 0.414) or unfamiliar technology (p = 0.780).

CONCLUSION

The TASC-r may be a promising tool for measuring therapeutic alliance in speech-language pathology. Telepractice does not appear to have a negative effect on rapport between SLPs and paediatric clients. Future research is required to identify how SLPs develop rapport in telepractice.