Presence Reaches New Heights with 7 Million Teletherapy Sessions for Students

Presence Achieves Milestone in Teletherapy Services

In a landmark announcement, teletherapy provider Presence has reported that it has provided over 7 million teletherapy sessions to PK–12 students across the United States, underscoring the urgent demand for special education and mental health services in schools. Notably, this achievement includes more than 1 million sessions delivered in the past year alone, showcasing the rapid growth and importance of teletherapy in educational settings.

Founded in 2009, Presence has established itself as a leading solution for remote special education-related and mental health evaluation services, partnering with over 10,000 schools in 47 states. The company's CEO, Kate Eberle Walker, highlighted the current landscape where the need for these essential services is steadily increasing. "The demand for qualified clinicians is rising, and when these needs go unaddressed, it can lead to burnout among school staff and delayed services for students and their families," she stated. "Our mission is clear: to harness the power of teletherapy to tackle these pressing challenges."

The Presence platform is uniquely designed with clinicians in mind, aiming to foster strong connections between therapists and students. Notably, many of the clinicians working with Presence have extensive experience, with some delivering over 10,000 teletherapy sessions to help students with diverse needs. Sylvia Freire, a speech-language pathologist, mentioned, "Being part of Presence has allowed me to witness the growth of our services. We are reaching countless individuals and making a tangible impact in the community."

Currently, the Presence platform supports a diverse range of professionals, including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and mental health specialists, totaling over 2,000 clinicians across different disciplines. The platform also offers an extensive library of digital resources, games, activities, and assessments, thereby equipping its users with the tools they need to effectively manage cases and deliver therapy.

With a focus on reducing caseloads for schools, Presence has allowed many educational institutions to meet their Individualized Education Program (IEP) targets and mental health goals more effectively. According to Kimberly Patella, a coordinator from the Corpus Christi Independent School District in Texas, the partner school districts have benefitted significantly from Presence's support, ensuring that students thrive in their educational environments.

In light of the 7 million sessions reached, Presence has increased its service offerings. The company recently introduced Via, a service aimed at providing families with remote evaluations, and has also partnered with Move This World, an innovative platform focused on proactive mental health support for students. This partnership highlights Presence's commitment to addressing the growing need for comprehensive mental wellness programs in educational settings.

To further enhance its offerings, Presence has appointed new leaders to its executive team and board of directors, all bringing a wealth of knowledge in the fields of education and educational technology. This leadership change reflects Presence's dedication to empowering those who work with students who have diverse needs.

The efforts of Presence have garnered recognition on both national and global levels, having received multiple accolades, including the Excellence in Equity Award and the Tech Learning Award of Excellence. Additionally, the company was featured amongst the GSV 150 and has been certified as a Great Place to Work® for four consecutive years.

Overall, Presence is redefining how schools meet the growing educational and mental health needs of students. By eliminating traditional barriers and using innovative teletherapy solutions, Presence is making significant strides in unlocking the potential of both schools and clinicians nationwide.