Since setting up in independent practice I’ve had almost weekly emails from people who want to train as speech and language therapists. They explain they need to gain relevant work experience and ask if they can come and shadow me during therapy sessions with my clients. 

At the moment I can’t see how having someone observe me carry out therapy benefits my clients, who are my customers. So I’ve been politely explaining that I don’t offer shadowing opportunities for this reason. Am I missing something? Do you deal with these types of enquires differently?

I tend to suggest that people contact their local NHS service; when I worked in the NHS we offered half day observation sessions. Back when I was looking for relevant experience before applying to train as a therapist I had lots of luck with my local volunteer centre. They matched me to a weekly Stroke club and a summer day camp for children with Down’s Syndrome. I received training and worked alongside therapists, during both of these placements.

The guidance for applying for a place on a speech and language therapy degree course says applicants need to demonstrate awareness of client needs and the skills required to work as a therapist. I wondered if I could put together a short workshop that would support the people who ask to shadow me with their applications. I could cover things like:

• an introduction to the range of clients I work with, and their needs, with video examples,
• an introduction to different types of therapy, and ways of working,
• workshop exercises to demonstrate and practise the core skills therapists require,
• a reading or resource list, particularly those written by people with speech, language and communication needs or their families,
• suggestions for how to approach therapists, to ask for observation experience,
• an opportunity for questions and answers.

What do you think? Does this sound useful? If you’re in the process of applying for a therapy degree course would you attend?

Photo by crabchick

When I remember the therapy package I offered “Freddy”, I wince. Over 18 months, I gave him four six-week blocks of therapy: 24 sessions in all. When I eventually discharged Freddy, he still couldn’t consistently produce velars—and worse, he still didn’t care. Even though his parents realised that I didn’t have a magic wand, they didn’t practise with him at home. So I didn’t achieve my objective and I wasted several precious days—days I could’ve used working with other clients. I had clients on a waiting list who were ready to engage with therapy and work towards realistic targets. What a waste.

What can I learn from this failure story? Instead of managing my caseload, monitoring my progress, and focusing on outcomes, I kept on repeating the same activity, hoping for a different outcome. That’s one way to define insanity—and yet, that’s how most of us still operate today. We need to change the way we approach therapy.

Modern SLT teams need new skills

I asked SLT managers what they’re looking for in their staff team. They told me that they need therapists who manage their own caseloads, balance a range of demands, and achieve outcomes for clients. Managers need therapists who know how to collaborate, can deal with conflict, and have a flexible mindset.

Here’s the problem: managers need staff with these skills and therapists need to learn them, but traditional training courses don’t teach them. I developed the Therapy Ideas Workshop to tackle this problem. It’s a day of practical learning, through exercises, discussions, and case studies. After attending the workshop you’ll get noticed at work—for all the right reasons!—and life as a therapist will be more satisfying.

The commissioning landscape is changing and we don’t have a map to follow, so teams need therapists who can make their own map, take personal responsibility, and challenge the old working practices. Think of this workshop as an investment in yourself. Whether you’re looking for a promotion, your first job, or more satisfaction from your current role, this workshop is for you.

The workshop is on Friday 12 October at Sadler’s Wells, London. You have a week to snap up a ticket at the early bird price of £139. Book online today. Spread the word by emailing these details to colleagues, posting about it on your Facebook wall or Tweeting. Come with a friend, and you’ll be a force to be reckoned with when you take your new ideas back to work!

Photo by KWDesigns