Speech and language therapists (SALT) play an important role in the learning and development of both children and adults with speech delays or disorders.

That’s a big responsibility and one that requires an intelligent, patient and creative mind. This means that not just anyone has what it takes.

So, if you’re thinking about becoming a speech therapist or you’d simply like to understand what makes a good therapist, you need to know what’s involved.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the academic, practical and professional steps you need to take in order to break into this industry.

Of course, it’s not just about book smarts, so we’ll also look at the skills and personality traits required to be a successful and sought-after speech and language therapist.

Getting the right qualifications 

First and foremost, if you want to become a legitimate speech and language therapist, you need to make sure you have the right qualifications.

The typical route into the industry is through a BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy. This takes three to four years to complete and is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

In some cases, you may also be able to progress with a relevant undergraduate degree, followed by a two-year MSc in Speech and Language Therapy. This can be a faster route if you choose this career path later in life and already have prior academic experience behind you.

Completing practical training and work experience 

Throughout your studies, you should also undergo clinical placements in different settings, such as schools, hospitals or community health services. This will enable you to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of qualified speech therapists.

Placements are an integral part of your training as they provide real-world experience in assessing and treating patients with varying speech and language difficulties.

You could also arrange and complete work experience in your own time. This can be particularly important if you aren’t taking the traditional academic route into the industry and won’t have completed relevant training and placements.

This might be volunteer work in speech and language therapy settings or working with children and adults suffering from communication and speech disorders in care settings.

Ensuring the correct registration and certifications

Once you’re qualified, you need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practice legally as a speech and language therapist in the UK.

A membership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is also highly recommended, though not a legal requirement.

Choosing to obtain this additional membership will provide you with access to professional development, networking, and resources that can help strengthen your career. So this is something you should seriously consider. It can also help you to secure more clients if working privately.

Continuing to learn and stay up-to-date 

Following on from this last point, after qualifying, it’s so important that you continue developing your skills and knowledge.

Continuous development is essential for maintaining HCPC registration, plus it helps to keep you up to date with the latest research and best practices in the field. This can make you a more effective and sought-after therapist.

Choosing progression and specialisation 

Once you are qualified and certified, you need to decide which setting you want to work in. For example, do you want to open your own private practice, work as a remote therapist online, join the NHS or work at schools or care homes?

There are also different areas you can specialise in, such as paediatrics, adult neurology, voice disorders or swallowing difficulties. So consider which areas and establishments might be most enjoyable and rewarding for you personally and start there.

Sharpening your key skills 

There are several key skills you need in order to be a good speech therapist other than the knowledge and technical skills taught during your studies. Some of the transferable skills required to be successful in this role include:

• Strong communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) because how can you help others communicate effectively if you can’t do this yourself?
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking to help you develop tailored treatment plans for each client
• Teamwork for those working alongside doctors, teachers, psychologists and other healthcare professionals
• Organisation helps you to manage multiple patients
• Time-keeping is important for balancing caseloads, preparing for sessions and keeping appointments
• Attention to detail enables you to monitor patients progress and pay close attention to even the smallest, most subtle changes in their speech and communication
• Confidence in your assessments, techniques and treatment plans

Making sure you have the key attributes 

It’s one thing to have the qualifications, skills and even experience, but in order to become a successful speech and language therapist you also need to have certain personality traits that will help you to support your patients.

Some of the most important attributes a speech therapist needs include:

• Empathy gives you the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, especially patients facing emotional and psychological challenges due to their communication difficulties
• Patience because patient progress can be slow and requires consistent, repetitive effort, so you need to be patient and supportive of them at every stage
• Resilience as this role can sometimes be emotionally demanding
• Strong work ethic that allows you to be dedicated to every single patient
• Adaptability because every client presents unique challenges, and you need to adapt accordingly to provide tailored treatment plans
• Positivity and encouragement are so important to motivate patients to continue working toward their goals, even if their progress is slowing
• Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity when working across different cultural groups and ages
• Compassion is vital for patients who may feel vulnerable, frustrated or anxious about their difficulties and need understanding and sensitivity

In summary 

Becoming a speech and language therapist can be so rewarding with a diverse range of opportunities to support people of all ages.

However, it requires both academic study and significant practical training, along with commitment, empathy and other key skills and attributes that allow you to be successful and support your patients.