Telehealth
Telehealth at Noah’s Ark gives families the option to connect with their child’s therapist (Key Worker) through video calls, phone or text, making therapy accessible from home. It follows Noah’s Ark’s family-centred approach, where strategies are designed to fit into everyday routines and familiar environments.
Our Telehealth offering was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues as a flexible way for families to receive support without needing to travel.
Telehealth can be a highly effective and flexible alternative to face-to-face services. Through secure video sessions, your child can work with a therapist who may not be available locally. This means you’ll have access to a broader range of expertise and approaches tailored to your child's unique needs.
While telehealth may feel different at first, many families are surprised by how strong the therapeutic relationship becomes. Our therapists are trained to build connection, trust, and engagement through virtual sessions. They’ll work closely with you and your child to set goals, address challenges, and provide strategies you can use at home between sessions, ensuring ongoing support every step of the way.
Telehealth may meet the needs of families who receive our services, as well as those who would like to start services with Noah's Ark.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Telehealth is all about being flexible and working together.
Your Main Therapist can suggest the best way to connect and help you get set up. You can use a mobile phone, computer/laptop, tablet, or iPad.
To make video calls, you will need access to the internet and to use your device’s microphone, speakers and camera.
Different ways to connect could be a phone call, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Google hangouts and Facetime.
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Sessions can go for as long as you like depending on your goals, funding plan, the type of therapy needed and quality of connection. They can be as frequent and flexible as you like and can often be more frequent than face-to-face visits would be. Discuss what you’d like with your Key Worker.
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Please see our Fees, Funding & NDIS page for current charges. Your Main Therapist will confirm the cost of a live session (phone or video) and what materials you’ll need.
Telehealth visits cost less than face-to-face visits because there is no travel involved. This means you save on your budget for therapy.
At the end of your session we plan for the next session – this will include booking time and any other preparation required.
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No. For privacy reasons, Telehealth sessions will not be recorded.
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Your Main Therapist can change the session to a phone call.
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The same cancellation policies and procedures apply as for face-to-face sessions. Notice of two full business days is required to avoid a 100% charge.
If you need to finish earlier than planned, we understand, however you will still be charged. Shorter, more frequent, sessions may work best for you.
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You can use an interpreter if required. Your Main Therapist can help you with this.
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Your Main Therapist will email or text the Record of Visit for you to sign or confirm. It may be possible for you to sign this document on the screen in a video conference session as well, depending on how confident you are with technology and the system you are using.
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Choose a well-lit room. If using live video, avoid bright lights behind you.
Use a quiet, private room, if possible. Earphones with a microphone will help with sound quality.
Check your device is charged.
Have your session plan visible (if possible), and any resources ready to go.
Have your mobile phone with you in case the video session fails.
If your child is likely to be distracted by the screen you could set it up in a way that will allow your child to engage in the session without distraction, such as on a stand or with the screen facing away from the therapy area.
Take time to check the environment to ensure there is nothing in the view of the background of your video and you are comfortable with your set-up, so this is not going to distract you.
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Your Main Therapist will check you are able to hear and see them, if using video.
You will be asked to confirm you are not recording the session.
To protect your privacy, you will be asked to avoid talking about personal identifying or sensitive information during a session.
Tell your Main Therapist who is with you in the session. They may not be able to see everyone.
Together with your Main Therapist you’ll go through the cost of the session, the goals and any other issues that have come up before commencing.
Your session will then commence.
During the visit there may be times when you practise things with your child and your Main Therapist watches and gives feedback. There will also be times where your Main Therapist is focused on talking with you. Your child does not have to concentrate on the Main Therapist for the whole session.
Near the end of the session, you and your Main Therapist will develop a plan for things you will try. You and your Main Therapist will also develop a plan for the next session and pre-book the time and date.
You will be asked to give feedback on how the session went. Your Main Therapist will act on this feedback (where possible) in future sessions.
You will be asked to sign the Record of Visit; this can be done on the screen or can be sent to you via email or SMS.