Telehealth Therapy Across Australia: How We Support Families and Individuals Anywhere

Welcome!

We are so excited to share these insights with you, because we know how hard it can be to find good help.

Growing need for accessible therapy across regional and urban Australia

Over the past number of years disability support needs as well as mental health have been on the rise. Accessibility is a big issue. Not only are needs increasing, but resources in the helping sectors is not growing at the same pace.

While NDIS services have expanded, it can be harder to find good help. Even doing a Google search now can be daunting!

We used to scroll endlessly to find a therapy provider - then take time to call up half a dozen or a dozen providers. Even more challenging is getting on board. Starting up therapy can be difficult at the best of times.

We know how hard this can be and so we have made things as simple as possible.

Creative processes during counselling and behaviour support are really helpful

How ATS supports clients in multiple states via telehealth

We started in telehealth in education - we both studied at a specialist distance education university in regional Australia. Dr Bowers taught in distance education for about 20 years, and then returned to community practice.

Before NDIS, Dr Jo worked as a Behaviour Specialist in regional NSW. That work demanded extensive travel and we did not have the distance tools that exist today - like zoom, whatsapp and facetime.

The year before Covid, we wrote a book on Telehealth Behaviour Support - because we saw this huge need in regional Australia for expanded services.

During the Covid pandemic, we went 100% into telehealth - and our clients loved this. We found it works great because clients feel more in control and can choose when to work with us in their daily lives. They hold the phone or tablet right in their hands. This makes a big difference.

As therapists we get to connect in real life, in real ways. It is powerful and life changing work.

Flexibility, accessibility, reduced travel, privacy

Working via technology is normal now.

It is actually more normal than packing the car, driving two hours to a surgery, parking, walking up three streets, and sitting in a waiting room. Then you child is having a behavioural episode. You have to get up and walk outside.

Your therapist is late. You panic because things are just too hard. You almost cancel the session.

Then you get into the therapist’s clinical office and you slump in the chair - they expect you to be perky.

You feel spent and even more distressed. Your child is off the wall. They do not engage.

Why did you make all this effort to see your child escalate just because they had to visit an office?

Telehealth behaviour support and counselling therapy is none of the above. While this approach is not for everyone, the research shows that video-based and related forms of therapy via technology is as effective as face-to-face therapy. We offer this form of therapy to give the choice and control to NDIS participants and clients.

Working from home is awesome - see you next week online!

Many forms of therapy for each person - the point is your choice and control

Everyone is different. But often people with neurodevelopmental disabilities are extremely unique and gifted in their needs and vulnerabilities. A person with Autism is gifted and talented in their own ways - just as all human beings are unique.

Going to appointments is traditionally really hard for people with disabilities and mental health needs.

Having online sessions, chats, and talks with a trusted therapist is easier. Much more approachable. And more helpful.

From our clinical view, telehealth is also more informative and useful. As therapists we receive more insight on a person by seeing and communicating with them in real life. This is much better than our years of seeing clients in our office and clinic.

For more information visit our Frequently Asked Question Page - or take a peek again at the Home page for the Contact Form.