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TinyEYE.com-Online Speech Therapy Telepractice
 
1-877-846-9393 www.TinyEYE.com info@TinyEYE.com
 
Considerations for Selecting a Private Speech-Language Pathologist 
By Marnee Brick, MScTinyEYE.com Co-Founder and Private Speech-Language PathologistWhen you choose to hire a private speech-language pathologist to provide therapyservices for yourself or a loved one, it is in your best interest to make an informeddecision. This article provides a general overview of considerations for selecting aspeech-language pathologist and for ensuring you have a quality therapy experience.
 
Credentials Check
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should be a member in good standing of aregulatory body. This regulatory body is typically a provincial/territorial, state, and/ornational organization which mandates that SLPs maintain the standards for providingcompetent, ethical, and professional therapy services. Your speech-languagepathologist (SLP) should hold a current licence to practise in the field of speech-language pathology. Besides confirming that your SLP has met the qualifications topractise, a licensure number is often requested by insurance company beforereimbursing therapy fees. You can ask for your speech-language p
athologist’s
licence
number and the name of the regulatory body. Many SLP’s carry their 
licence with them.If you have concerns or further questions, call the regulatory body. If you are unsure ofhow to contact a specific organization, start with the national associations. Theyprovide contact information for the provincial and state associations.
 
Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
www.caslpa.ca 
 
www.ccaslpa.ca/english/contact/province2asp 
(links to provincial/territory contacts)
 
1-800-259-8519
 
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
www.asha.org 
 
www.asha.org/about/legislation-advocacy/state (links to state contacts)
 
1-800-638-8255
Area of Expertise
When seeking a SLP, be clear about your needs and inquire about the SLP’s related
experience. SLPs are trained to help children and adults with communication, cognitive,and swallowing skills. Although the scope of practise is broad, many SLPs gain moreexperience and develop more expertise in specific areas, such as language
 
TinyEYE.com-Online Speech Therapy Telepractice
 
1-877-846-9393 www.TinyEYE.com info@TinyEYE.com
 
 
development versus voice rehabilitation. If the available SLP does not have a lot ofexperience with your area of concern, have a conversation about how the SLP willacquire the necessary knowledge and skills to help you (i.e. mentorship, self-study) or ifthere is another SLP that would be better suited to your needs. Furthermore, clarifywhether or not you will be charged for the time that the SLP gathers relevant informationin order to help you. Keep in mind that SLPs have a broad knowledge base, but that it
is common for them to ‘study
-
up’ on a
less familiar topic as it applies to a specific client.
SLP’s strive to know the
most current, evidenced-based interventions that will help you.
Confirm the Cost 
Confirm how much you will be charged, the services you will receive, and when you willpay. When seeking a SLP, keep in mind that some practises are government funded,while others include a fee for service. To find an organization that may not have acharge, contact your local public health unit. SLPs who charge a fee for service mustdiscuss the fees before starting a partnership with you. Your SLP may have differentrates for various types of services:
Assessments
Treatment
Preparation for therapy
Analysis of data
Group therapy
Phone and email communication
Travel time and kilometres/miles
Documentation or writing reports
Cancellation or no-show fees
Meetings on your behalf
Interest charged on outstanding accountsBe open about what you can afford and the general goals you would like to achievethrough the service. Talk ahead of time about how much direct time with the therapistyou can expect, based on what you have budgeted. Do not hesitate to ask the SLP totalk to you about options. For example, do you need a lengthy report or would a quicksummary suffice? Do you want a thorough assessment or would an informal screeninggive you the information you need? Would you prefer long, frequent sessions or wouldshorter sessions and a home program be effective? Ask the SLP how much time will berequired to prepare materials for the sessions and if there are efficient but effectiveoptions.
SLP’
s are required to adhere to their ethical standards. Within the boundaries,they can usually be flexible when providing therapy services. Open communication isthe key!When accessing your benefits or insurance coverage to pay for therapy, inform yourselfabout how much is reimbursed each year. Some companies reimburse only a
 
TinyEYE.com-Online Speech Therapy Telepractice
 
1-877-846-9393 www.TinyEYE.com info@TinyEYE.com
 
percentage of each session, while others reimburse up to a target amount over a period
of time. The company will probably ask for your SLP’s licence or registration number.
 If you have questions about th
e cost of therapy services, contact the SLP’s regulatory
body for guidance. Many organizations suggest recommended fees for service. I haveincluded two examples:
 
The Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists andAudiologists (OSLA)
www.osla.on.ca1-800-718-6752
 
Alberta Speech-Language Association of Private Practitioners (ASAPP)
www.asapp.ca 780-988-2217To learn more about reimbursement or coverage in the United States, visit:www.asha.org/public/coverage/  
Know Your Rights
SLPs are bound by the Code of Ethics, By-Laws and policies of their association. You
can view this information on the organizations’ websites.
When you begin apartnership with your SLP, you should be aware of your rights. It is common practisefor SLPs to talk to you about the following topics (This is not a complete list, nor does itmandate that SLPs must review each topic.):
Informed consent to receive services
 –
You agree to services by giving yourverbal or written consent. The SLP may talk to you about:
o
Information about the proposed services
o
Risks and benefits of receiving or not receiving services
o
Possible alternatives to the proposed services
o
The opportunity to withdraw consent at any time
o
Ensuring you understand the information to which you are consenting
The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) supports that clientsgenerally have full and complete access to the contents of their file or recordupon request
How your information will be kept confidential and protected, including where itwill be stored and for how many years
of 00

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