How World Class Speech Service built a telepractice training program with TheraPlatform

Preparing the next generation of speech-language pathologists requires more than clinical expertise; it demands modern tools, digital adaptability, and hands-on technology experience.

When Dawn Cotter-Jenkins, M.A., CCC-SLP, founder of World Class Speech Service and Clinical Supervisor for a university Speech & Hearing Center, set out to develop their first telepractice training program, she needed a platform built specifically for therapists and aligned with real-world teletherapy expectations.

In this customer spotlight, discover how Dawn used TheraPlatform to create an innovative telepractice curriculum, increase student engagement, and support a growing shift toward virtual service delivery.

At a glance: How TheraPlatform supported growth in a university telepractice program:

• Successfully launched a university telepractice practicum within one semester
• Enabled graduate students to deliver live virtual sessions confidently
• Increased student engagement and client participation
• Scaled rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic as virtual demand surged
• Provided built-in therapy tools that enhanced training and outcomes

About Dawn Cotter-Jenkins

Dawn Cotter-Jenkins, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language trainer and founder of World Class Speech Service, specializing in telepractice development, professional voice, accent modification, and public speaking. She also served as Clinical Supervisor at a university Speech & Hearing Center, where she established its first Telepractice Practicum and Research Suite and created the course Introduction to Telepractice for Speech-Language Pathologists.

The Challenge: Building a modern telepractice program from the ground up

When Dawn joined the university in 2016, teletherapy was not yet part of the curriculum. Implementing a digital clinical training model required strategy, leadership, and the right technology.

Key challenges

• Introducing teletherapy to a traditional university program
• Equipping students with technology and tools built for therapists, not general video platforms
• Supporting live virtual therapy sessions for growing client loads
• Increasing engagement and interaction in online environments
• Preparing students for the future of digital clinical practice

“I wanted students to have hands-on experience with real teletherapy tools they could confidently use in their professional careers.” — Dawn Cotter-Jenkins

Why the university clinic chose TheraPlatform

Dawn needed a secure, feature-rich solution designed specifically for speech-language pathologists, not just a generic video meeting tool.

TheraPlatform offered what others didn’t:

• Built-in teletherapy tools and applications for SLPs
• Ability to upload worksheets and interactive materials directly into sessions
• HIPAA-compliant, reliable virtual conferencing
• A platform that students could continue using professionally after graduation
• Easy onboarding and intuitive navigation for new clinicians

“TheraPlatform was great for student learning because of the teletherapy-specific functionality. It helped our students actively engage and progress with their clients.” — Dawn Cotter-Jenkins

Implementation: Fast launch, immediate impact

Within a single semester, Dawn and her team built a fully operational telepractice suite and went live with virtual services.

Results

• Students quickly learned the platform and confidently managed sessions
• Client volume increased as remote services expanded
• Engagement soared as students used built-in tools and applications
• At the height of the pandemic, the telepractice program scaled rapidly to meet demand

Dawn’s Advice: What other programs and practices can learn

Therapists should embrace the shift to teletherapy and virtual conferencing. Work with a tool that offers specific features that work for therapists! You want built-in features that make things easy and convenient for your clients, save you prep time, and make sessions better. It is best if you can have most of what you need all in one place. TheraPlatform is a great, comprehensive service to learn.

Start your 30-day free trial

TheraPlatform gives clinicians and educators everything needed to deliver exceptional care: telehealth, documentation, scheduling, secure messaging, interactive tools, and more in one HIPAA-compliant system. Start your free 30-day trial — no credit card required.