Private Practice Success Stories

Have you ever considered having a nature-based therapy private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Kate Glennon, also known as the "Outdoorsy SLP,” a speech language pathologist with an innovative private practice in New Hampshire. Kate has created a unique private practice that operates primarily outdoors, providing nature-based therapy to her clients. She highlights the benefits of outdoor therapy to improve regulation and connection for both the therapist and the client, as well as the unique language tasks that natural settings can provide. Kate started her private practice after working in a traditional practice for 12 years. She discusses what it’s like to own a practice, have a deployed husband in the military, and have 3 kids! I got to know Kate during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program and it has been amazing to get to reflect on her journey and the factors that led her to develop this unconventional practice model.Kate has been a practicing SLP for 13 years. Her cumulative experience working in schools, clinics, and teaching at a nature school led her to open a private practice. She is passionate about bringing clinical practice outdoors and into nature. Her nature-based private practice is about to turn one year old.Kate brings her experience as an SLP and a certified nature educator to her work. She enjoys working across the age span with a variety of communication differences.Kate strives to bring together her SLP community. She has created a collaborative space for sole practitioners in her area to gather and connect. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The true power of nature-based therapyHow you can branch out and create your own unique private practice as a neurodivergent SLPThe magic of nature-based therapy and how you’ll know if it’s right for youWhat you need to understand about fear when starting a private practiceThe true power of differentiating yourself from other private practicesThe power you have to make your private practice be whatever you want it to beThe key to making your private practice work for your familyWhat you need to understand when it comes to hiring help in your private practiceI hope you enjoyed this episode with Kate! I love her passion for nature and the positive outcomes she has observed in her clients. She acknowledges the challenges but also the fulfillment that comes from creating a practice that aligns with her values and lifestyle.To learn more about how we can help you start - or grow - your private practice, please visit: https://independentclinician.com/resources/.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Kate’s website: www.outdoorsySLP.comFollow Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorsyslp/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Do you struggle with getting stuff done in your private practice? If so, this episode of Private Practice Success Stories is going to be great for you to listen to. Julie Pera and Theresa Harp are speech language pathologists who sat down with me to share their experience and insights on the intersection of time management and private practice. In this episode, Julie shares her journey in the Grow Your Private Practice Program after transitioning from a public school setting to private practice, driven by a desire for a more manageable workload and better work-life balance. Theresa, a Productivity Coach, shares how she combines practical systems with cognitive strategies to help SLPs and OTs feel less overwhelmed and more in control. If you’ve been thinking about improving your time management and want to implement more effective systems in your private practice, you don’t want to miss this episode! In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why time management is crucial as a private practice ownerThe impact ADHD can have on your life and businessThe importance of tailoring your time management strategies to support your neurodivergent brainThe key to sharing your unique gifts with the worldOne simple thing you can do when you are in survival mode and overwhelmedThe power of working with your brain instead of against itThe importance of putting self-awareness and taking action into practiceA professional who can help you take all of those plans and put them into action with accountability I hope you enjoyed this episode with Juile and Theresa! I love their encouragement to other private practitioners to take proactive steps, seek support, and integrate work and life in a balanced and fulfilling way. To learn more about how we can support you and your private practice journey, please visit: https://independentclinician.com/resources/Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Learn more about how we can support you in your private practice journey: https://independentclinician.com/resources/Join Theresa’s Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slpsupportgroupListen to Theresa’s podcast: https://theresaharp.com/podcastVisit Julie’s website: https://www.manygiftstherapy.com/Follow Julie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manygiftstherapyWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you ever thought about starting a non-traditional private practice or offering social events for your clients? Then this episode of Private Practice Success Stories is for you! I sat down with Barbara Earley and April Lowe who co-own a very innovative private practice in Georgia called Social EdVentures, which includes small group social outings for teenagers and young adults with varied diagnoses and abilities. In this interview, they discuss how they started off very informally - with a small group outing at a bowling alley - which quickly expanded to include regular social outings for young adults and adolescents with diverse needs, ranging from typical college students to non-verbal individuals using AAC devices. In this episode, Barbara and April describe their program's evolution, the value that the participants get from the outings, and the importance of real-world learning and social skill development. They even discuss a connection to the popular Netflix series, Love on the Spectrum!As two speech therapists, driven by a passion for fostering social connections and self-reliance in our clients, Social EdVentures was created. We started with a small group of older teens in a traditional setting and began exploring unconventional approaches. As we did this, we discovered our real-world learning approach enhanced success, increased involvement, and resulted in better outcomes.This inspired us to create Social Edventures, aiming to offer this experience to larger groups affordably. We started with a small group of four in late Summer 2022 and quickly expanded to multiple groups of all ages. As our network grew, we listened to our families and gained a clearer understanding of their needs, striving to empower them toward independence and having fun along the way.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The unique way Barbara and April started their private practiceHow they offer social groups and “EdVentures” that set them apartTheir real-life connection to Love on the SpectrumHow unique experiences can be incorporated into your private practiceThe one thing so many kids need from their SLPs and OTs that they struggle to findA unique approach to teaching social skills The power of filling a need that you see in the community The fulfillment you get when you offer services that make a difference What happens when you leave yourself open to possibility in your private practiceI hope you loved this episode with Barbara and April! I love their encouragement to other SLPs to pursue innovative private practice models. Despite their hurdles, they've remained committed to providing meaningful social experiences and support for their clients.If you would like help to start your private practice, please visit: www.StartYourPrivatePractice.comWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit their website: https://www.therapyconnectionsofga.com/homeFollow Social EdVentures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweringabilities/Follow Social EdVentures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/social_edventuresWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m diving into a topic that every private practice owner needs to understand: Why having a strategic Private Practice Growth Plan for your practice is super important. Just like you need a plan before you start your practice, it’s actually even more important for you to have a plan to grow your practice in a way that’s successful, profitable, and sustainable. Building a successful practice doesn’t happen by accident. It requires deliberate goals and steps to achieve them. Many private practice owners spend their days reacting to whatever comes up, but if you want to grow, you’ve got to be proactive. You need to set clear, actionable goals and ensure every step you take moves you closer to those goals.Oh, and at the end of the episode, I’m sharing details about my brand new, exclusive podcast for growth-focused private practitioners! In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The one thing you need to do if you want to grow your private practiceThe biggest mistake that most private practitioners makeThe four key components of a growth plan Remember, success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of deliberate planning, strategic action, and continuous growth.To learn more about how we can help you make a Growth Plan for your practice, please visit: www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com. You can also subscribe to the growth-focused podcast at www.growyourprivatepractice.com/podcast.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Subscribe to the growth-focused podcast: https://www.growyourprivatepractice.com/podcastWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Dreaming about specializing and opening a non-traditional private practice? You don’t want to miss this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Caitlin Zeien, a speech language pathologist with a private practice in Chicago, Illinois that offers highly-specialized social cognitive language-based therapy. Caitlin developed a passion for social cognition and social pragmatic language, leading her to specialize in neurodiversity-affirming therapy. Her practice focuses on older children and young adults, a niche that differentiates her from other practitioners. In this episode, Caitlin discusses her journey and experiences, highlighting the non-traditional ways she has built her private practice.Despite the challenges, including a cross-country move and adapting to new professional environments, Caitlin's passion for specializing in social cognition and pragmatic language continued to grow and now she has a successful private practice.Caitlin is the proud owner of Socially Minded Therapy. She is a Chicago-based Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in social cognitive therapy. She provides Neurodiversity Affirming support and services for neurodivergent children, teens, young adults, and their families in Chicago and the surrounding areas. The goal of Socially Minded Therapy is to help others achieve their goals in the social world. Caitlin is so excited to be a part of this community as an ally and forever learner.With Socially Minded Therapy, Caitlin goes beyond social skills training in the pursuit of empowering individuals by teaching abstract concepts in a concrete way. She provides highly specialized and individualized therapy to support individuals as they develop social competencies and social problem-solving abilities. Together,  in partnership with her clients, they create goals that match the client's own intentions and social areas of interest. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How Caitlin discovered neurodiversity-affirming care and found her passionWhat happens when you have a support system during your private practice journeyHow your private practice can level up your life The huge impact the Facebook group in the Start program can have on your successThe power of collaboration and an abundance mindsetThe key to finding clients for your private practiceThe impact of niching down in your private practiceCaitlin’s plans for the future and a scholarship programHow you can serve people on a bigger level with your practiceI hope you loved this episode with Caitlin! She started her journey in the Start Your Private Practice Program, which helped overcome her business-related apprehensions. She is now part of our Grow program and it has been amazing to see the evolution of her practice! I love Caitlin’s encouragement to others to pursue their private practice dreams and the importance of having a supportive community, just like she found in the Start and Grow programs.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/Resources.Resources Mentioned: Visit Caitlin’s website: https://www.sociallymindedtherapy.com/Follow Caitlin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sociallymindedtherapy/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

How do you know if you’re in the messy middle of private practice growth? In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m going solo to speak to the people who are in the growth phase of their private practice journey, and not just the beginners. The growth phase starts after you get five private practice clients or more. Why? Because most people can see five private clients on the side of their job relatively easily. However, once you get to five clients and beyond, time becomes tighter and you have to decide whether to stay small or to grow your private practice in terms of more clients, which of course requires more time, but also lets you to be able to do more services. The problem is, some people get stuck there! That’s where I come in. My job as a private practice business coach is to help you get through the messy middle as quickly and easily as possible. So in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about what the messy middle is, how to know when you're there, and if you're already in the messy middle and are feeling completely overwhelmed, the steps you need to take to get through it as quickly and easily as possible.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What the messy middle of private practice is The real reason so many private practitioners get stuck in the messy middleThe difference between working on your business and working in your businessThe key to avoiding burnout as your private practice grows How the Grow program will help you tackle these challenges head-on If you're in The Messy Middle of private practice growth and want help navigating through it as quickly and easily as possible... please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com to learn more about how we can help support you.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Learn more about how to grow your private practice: www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.comWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Thinking about working part-time in private practice and want to make more money? Then you don’t want to miss this episode! In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Marissa Joy, a speech language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in Eastern Pennsylvania. Her practice “Ripple Speech Services” focuses on speech, myofunctional, and feeding therapy and she’s also offered Lactation Consulting. Marissa discusses her decision to open her practice due to her personal experiences with her son's feeding issues and a desire to help other parents avoid the struggles she faced. She joined The Start Your Private Practice Program because she wanted guidance and structure to launch her business. In addition to her private clients, Marissa secured a small school contract which has provided extra financial stability while maintaining the flexibility to focus on her private practice. This arrangement allowed her to balance her professional and personal life, including spending more time with her children. She just celebrated her 2nd private practice anniversary and this week, she made $2,000 in one week. Oh - and she doesn’t work on Fridays during the summer!Marissa is the owner and speech-language pathologist at Ripple Speech Services, LLC - a practice that serves children and adults to speak, swallow, and breathe better. In her 11 years as an SLP Marissa has served in a number of settings, and even a brief hiatus from being an SLP, but found her passion through personal experience with her youngest son. Marissa is a Pennsylvania-licensed and ASHA-certified speech pathologist and always strives to provide collaborative, personalized therapy for every person that walks through her doors.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Marissa’s path to private practiceThe key to getting your first clients, even if you live in a rural area What happens when you are open to new opportunities Marissa’s top tip for getting more clients and growing your private practiceThe passion project that is growing Marissa’s businessOne thing that can give you more stability as you’re building your private practiceHow Marissa is able to work part-time and make full-time incomeThe important thing you have to remember when setting your ratesI hope you enjoyed this episode with Marissa! She is a perfect example of someone who works part-time, has Fridays off, and is making exponentially more than she was before her private practice!If you want our help to start your private practice step-by-step (just like we helped Marrisa!) please visit: www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more!Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Marissa’s website: https://www.ripplespeechservices.com/Follow Marissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripplespeechservices/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice on the side in a niche you are passionate about? Then you’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Kyarra Bright, one of my Start Your Private Practice students to share her story. Kyarra is a speech language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in Orange County, California specializing in infant feeding. She started her private practice after having frustrations with patients being prematurely discharged and not receiving continued services, which led to her private practice “Little Pod Speech and Feeding Therapy.” In this episode, Kyarra shares her desire to continue working at a hospital while having her practice on the side allowing her to maintain her passion for hospital work and provide continuity of care for discharged patients. Kyarra also reflects on her journey in the Start Your Private Practice Program and how the program helped redefine what success meant to her.After working several years as a pediatric medical speech-language pathologist, Kyarra Bright noticed an ongoing trend where many patients who were discharged from the hospital no longer had access to speech and feeding services due to the lack of provider availability. Little Pod Speech and Feeding Therapy was created to provide a solution to address this ongoing issue. Kyarra currently offers speech and feeding therapy for pediatrics in the heart of Orange County, California.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The need Kyarra saw in her community and how she decided to help fill itHow the Start program helped Kyarra move forward with her private practice dreamsHow the support you’ll find in the program can help you push through challengesThe key to finding your first clients in your private practiceThe possibilities when you follow your passion and zone of genius in your fieldThe different ways you can make private practice work for youOne way you can increase your impact within your field The doors that open to you when you have a private practiceI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Kyrra! I love her advice to other aspiring private practitioners that you can create your own job based on what you like to do in the field of speech pathology through private practice.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com. Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Kyrra’s website: https://www.littlepodspeech.com/Follow Kyrra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlepodspeech/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Thinking about starting your private practice on the side? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories with SLP Instagram hero Dr. Dani Gaff! Dr. Dani Gaff aka The Messy SLP launched her practice, Messy Speech and Language Therapy, part-time on the side of her school job. However, the joy and fulfillment she found in private practice, coupled with the autonomy it provided, ultimately convinced her to take the plunge to go full-time. Dani is an alum of the Start Your Private Practice Program and in this episode, she shares her journey from being a part-time private practitioner to fully shifting into full-time private practice. Dani also discusses the financial benefits she discovered, and how she nearly doubled her income by combining school contracts with her private practice work. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, she is loving the unparalleled freedom and fulfillment she now experiences.Dr. Dani Gaff, aka The Messy SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and private practice owner in South Bend, Indiana. She is the owner and sole SLP at Messy Speech and Language Therapy, LLC, and is wrapping up her first year of working full-time for herself. Dani has worked in a variety of settings and has created a sensory-friendly office for families and kids of all ages to enjoy. Outside of her clinical time, Dani is passionate about reaching graduate students and helping them find balance.When she's not wearing her SLP hat, Dani is a volleyball coach, a basketball coach's wife, a dog mom, and loves being active. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The wake-up call that burnout leads to in many SLPs What happens when you set boundaries in your careerWhat led Dani to start her private practice on the side The creativity and freedom you can get in your private practice The sheer joy you feel when you have your own private practice What’s possible financially when you are a private practice owner How you can create a flexible work schedule that fits in with your life, not the other way around Dani’s plan to expand her private practice The different phases of business and how to find what works for youI hope you loved this episode with Dani! She is a perfect example of someone who started her private practice on the side, but ultimately transitioned to full-time after the realization that private practice offered her the joy and flexibility she was missing in her previous roles.Want to start your private practice "on the side"? We would love to help you - just like we helped Dani - in the Start Your Private Practice Program. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com. Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit The Messy SLP website: https://www.themessyslp.com/Follow The Messy SLP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themessyslp/Follow The Messy SLP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themessyslpWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice early in your career? If so, this episode is for you! In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Breeah Carey, a speech language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in New Jersey. She started her private practice at just 26 years old after getting the inspiration from other young private practitioners who had the flexibility and freedom she was striving for. After feeling stuck in a negative work environment, she decided to start her own practice. In this episode, Breeah and I discuss a major shift with the younger generation who is simply not willing to wait for the freedom, flexibility, and income they desire. Breeah S. Carey, M.S., CCC-SLP is a New Jersey native and the Director of B.E.S. As the daughter of an educator, Breeah was always interested in serving her community, similar to her mother. Breeah graduated from Purdue University and received her undergraduate degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, with minors in psychology and Spanish. As her passion grew, specifically around assisting individuals with speech, language, and cognitive impairments, she decided to further her education. She completed two years of comprehensive training in Purdue's Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology program; thus, receiving her master’s degree at the end of her studies. Her areas of focus include pediatric language disorders, speech sound disorders, and bilingualism. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The truth about what it takes to be successful as a private practice owner Breeah’s non-traditional path to private practiceThe populations you can serve as a private practice ownerBreeah’s secret sauce to getting referrals to her private practiceWhy so many SLPs and OTs are successful in private practiceThe key to pricing your services and sustaining a private practice The impact freedom has had on Breeah’s life now that she’s a private practice ownerHow to know if starting a private practice is really for you I hope you enjoyed this episode with Breeah! I love her advice to other young clinicians and why she thinks the younger generation is choosing private practice!Are you an early career SLP or OT who wants help to start your own private practice?If so, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/Resources to learn about our free and paid resources!Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Breeah’s website: https://www.breezeeducare.com/Follow Breeah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautybreeslp/Follow Breeah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreezeEducationalServices/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

🎧 You’ve built your plan — now it’s time to launch it. Inside the Start Your Private Practice Program, you’ll get the step-by-step roadmap, templates, and support to sign your first private clients within 30–60 days so you can finally create the freedom and income you want. 👉 Check your email for your invitation and join us inside Start today!

Welcome to The See Clients Challenge, VIP!This week, your only job is to show up, use your VIP tools, and take action.Because this isn’t just about learning. It’s about building your exit plan.You’re ready. And I can’t wait to watch what you do with this.Let’s go.VIP Area: SeePrivateClientsChallenge.com

Have you been thinking about providing parent coaching and want to connect with your client’s families and your community through your private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Sarah Pendergast, a speech language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in Tampa, Florida. She launched her practice, Awesome Kids Therapy, in August 2023 after working in multiple private practices and finally decided she wanted to be her own boss.Despite initial doubts about her ability to start her own practice, between the pandemic and support from her friends, she decided to join the Start Your Private Practice Program to get help with getting set up so she could start seeing clients.In this episode, Sarah emphasizes the importance of community engagement and connection by providing caregiver coaching. She also highlights the value of organization, work-life balance, and having a supportive network.Sarah Pendergast, an enthusiastic and child-led speech-language pathologist brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and heartfelt passion to her private practice. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs/small business owners, Sarah's commitment to her craft is deeply rooted, driving her to forge meaningful connections with each client she encounters. Through her personalized approach, she fosters a sense of familial trust and support. Sarah's private practice journey has shown her the true beauty of the "work-life balance" while actively engaging and enjoying the camaraderie of a vibrant professional community. Sarah considers herself to be very lucky to be in the speech therapy profession, based on pillars of entrepreneurship, passion, and genuine connection.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The key pillar of having a successful small business or private practiceHow starting a private practice can impact your work-life balance How you can focus on your passions when you own a private practiceThe different services you can offer as a private practice owner The number one referral source Sarah uses to find her clients How you can use relationships to go to exactly where your ideal clients are The power of expanding your private practice and hiring help I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Sarah! I love that she advocated for herself so she could have the fulfillment and flexibility that come with being one's own boss and the ability to positively impact more families' lives.Want our help to start your private practice? Please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com for details!Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Sarah’s website: https://www.awesomekidstherapy.com/Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awesomekidstherapy/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice because you want to prioritize family and extra income? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Kristen Fernandez who is a speech language pathologist and the owner of Spark Pediatric Therapy in Northern Virginia. She started her private practice after being drawn to the independence, flexibility, and financial benefits that owning a private practice offers. I got to know Kristen during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program and it has been amazing to see the success in her private practice in just 1 year! In this episode, she talks about her background in school settings and previous experiences in private practices, which led to her inspiration to start her own practice using a child-centered, play-based therapy approach that is neurodiversity-affirming. Kristen discusses the importance of setting boundaries, self-care, and prioritizing personal well-being to sustain a fulfilling and successful career in private practice. Kristen Fernandez is a pediatric speech therapist with experience treating children of all ages in a variety of settings, including schools, private practice clinics, and hospitals. She started Spark Pediatric Therapy to create a place where therapy is based on relationships, empathy, and acceptance. Kristen takes time to really get to know the children and families she works with, forming strong relationships that allow her to provide personalized therapy that aligns with each family’s values and goals. Her neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy combines fun and play with parent education and evidence-based treatments to help her clients achieve goals that truly transform their lives. As a mother of three, she feels a deeply ingrained sense of responsibility to ensure that every child in her community has access to the absolute best therapy that is available.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The number one thing Kristen learned while working in other private practicesThe types of clients you can see when you have your own private practice- and yes, you get to choose them!The non-negotiable you need to have if you want to avoid burnout as a private practice ownerOne simple and effective way to bring in new clients on autopilot The pros and cons of the different ways you can see your clients The future that is possible when you have your own practiceThe one thing you need to remember if you are waiting for your kids to be older before you start your private practiceI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Kristen! I love how she emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks and not waiting for the "perfect" time to start a private practice.Want to learn more about what we help private practitioners within the Grow Your Private Practice Program, the program that Kristen was a part of? Please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com! Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Kristen’s website: https://www.sparkpediatrictherapy.com/Follow Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkpediatrictherapy/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice while still being there for your family when they need you? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Marcia Church, a speech language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in Dallas, Texas. In this episode, Marcia shares her journey from working in various locations and settings before establishing her private practice. I got to know Marcia during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program. She has expanded her practice by hiring and offering additional income streams such as marketing and branding services to SLPs. In this episode, she talks about her journey into private practice as a mom and how enforcing boundaries in her business allows her to remain flexible and available for her children.Marcia Church, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Texas Licensed, ASHA certified Speech Pathologist of over 14 years and owns Pediatric Speech Stars, a boutique private practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She specializes in the birth-5 population both virtually and in home. In addition, Marcia also offers flexible 1:1 parent and SLP virtual coaching options. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The key element Marcia focused on to attract her ideal clients to her private practiceThe amazing things that can happen when you push past the fear of the unknown and start your private practiceThe unique offer that allows Marcia to diversity her income and help other SLPs grow their private practicesThe one thing you need to do if you want to be available to your family when they need you as a private practice owner Important marketing tips that will help you build trust with the moms of your clientsThe “super sauce” to relationship-building in your private practiceThe mindset shift you need around making mistakes if you want to be successfulOne important thing you need in your home and business that will prevent overwhelm I hope you enjoyed this episode with Marcia! I love how she sticks to her boundaries for her family and how she attracts the right clients all while helping other SLPs with marketing, branding, and individualized support.Want to learn more about what we help private practitioners within the Grow Your Private Practice Program? (The Program that Marcia used to learn how to hire and add income streams?) Please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com! Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Marcia’s website: www.pediatricspeechstars.comFollow Marcia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pediatricspeechstars/Visit Marcia’s SLP branding shop: https://www.pediatricspeechstars.com/shopWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting to see private clients and are curious about offering Special Education Consultations through your practice? If so, you’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with one of my students, Ali Moulton. Ali is a pediatric speech language pathologist with a private practice in Northern Virginia. She started her private practice after reevaluating her priorities to focus on family and fulfilling her aspirations as a clinician. In this episode, she discusses the importance of family and personal fulfillment in her decision to pursue private practice. She also discusses how she added another income stream to her private practice in the form of special education consultations and advocacy work - and how starting to specialize made her sought after for these services. Ali is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. She received her graduate degrees in Speech and Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in Speech and Language Pathology from Northwestern University.Ali has created and implemented interdisciplinary educational programming and has assisted in the creation and implementation of special education curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school special education programs. She has developed and presented professional development on the diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia and language development. She has trained special education teachers on the evaluation process for diagnosing dyslexia and was a member of the Dyslexia Core Team that assisted in the creation of the Dyslexia Handbook for a school district in Northern Virginia.Ali recently completed the Inside Out Sensory Certificate for SLPs, which involved training in the assessment and implementation of sensory strategies in speech sessions. She is currently working toward her Qualification in Orofacial Myology (QOM).In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The one thing you have to do if you want people to send you clientsAn inside look at what it looks like to take your private practice from part-time to full-timeHow private practice can help bring you true fulfillmentThe types of decisions you get to make for yourself when you become your own bossHow you can make your private practice stand out in the crowd and increase your impact by offering special servicesThe key to adding additional income streams into your private practiceI hope you enjoyed this episode with Ali! I love how she started her private practice on the side while working in the schools and then took the leap to go full-time to focus on quality time with her family.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices - just like we helped Ali, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/Resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Ali’s website: ​​https://www.moultonspeech.com/Follow Moulton Speech on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moultonspeech/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Thinking about adding Orton Gillingham to your own private practice? You’ll love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Elizabeth Doherty, who is a speech-language pathologist and reading specialist with a private practice in New York called Manhattan Speech, Language & Literacy. After working in the schools, she decided to start her private practice in order to gain more flexibility and financial freedom. In this episode, she talks about her interest in the relationship between speech, language, and reading, and how that led her to discover the Orton Gillingham approach which she added to her private practice. Elizabeth discusses how this niche focus has helped her find success with clients, increase her rates, and provide training to other SLPs.She also talks about how having her own practice has allowed her immense freedom and flexibility in her life as a mom and a doctoral student. Elizabeth founded Manhattan Speech, Language & Literacy, LLC, in 2013 with the mission to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for career success in the 21st century. With the unique perspective of both a speech-language pathologist and reading teacher, Elizabeth supports both oral and printed language, helping students gain proficiencies that translate across speaking, hearing, processing, reading, writing, and spelling.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The power of choosing a niche that helps you stand out The truth about the compensation we deserve as SLPs and OTsThe key to getting confident and asking for referrals The one thing Elizabeth did that helped her private practice take offHow you can make your private practice work for you in any season of lifeThe simple math for how your private practice can help you work less and make more How offering Orton Gillingham services in her private practice helped Elizabeth find her passion and grow her impactHow Elizabeth is using her knowledge to empower and educate other SLPs with her course I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Elizabeth! She is a perfect example of someone who noticed a need in her community and filled it by offering trainings to other SLPs, which helps to grow her own practice and support the SLP community around her.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources. Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Follow Elizabeth on Instagram and learn more about her course: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_readingslpCheck out the Manhattan Speech, Language & Literacy website:https://www.manhattanspeechlanguage.com/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Thinking of transitioning from home health to private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with one of my Start program students, Alex Wynter. She’s a speech-language pathologist with a private practice in Philadelphia, PA called the Wynter Wellness Group. She decided to start her private practice while working in home health. Alex loved the work she was doing in her community but wanted more freedom to do things on her own terms. In this episode, she talks about the obstacles she faced working in corporate healthcare and how having her own practice has led to more freedom and fulfillment. Alex also discusses the importance of non-clinical skills when it comes to multiple streams of income and how she also offers public speaking engagements, mentorship, and caregiver coaching.Alexandria has been treating the adult and senior population for 10 years, working for some of the top healthcare systems in Philadelphia including Penn Medicine at Home & Hospice Services with the Penn Medicine hospital network and Mercy Home Health with Nazareth Hospital.After her beginnings in home health 6 years ago, she realized the unique challenges and services needed by those living with chronic conditions. Often seen as "frequent flyers" by their healthcare team, with their concerns frequently swept under the rug as being "the usual complaints" she continued to see this population underserved. It's the exact reason she decided to work with adults & seniors with chronic conditions. Due to her special abilities to build authentic relationships with her patients and communicate with their healthcare team (including physicians, specialists, and other therapists), she has been able to help her patients see significant gains, not only with their speech therapy goals but with their overall health as well.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The seeds you can plant now that can bloom into a successful private practice A peek into what it’s like owning an adult-focused private practiceOne simple question you can ask your clients that will help your private practice grow exponentially The best way to get the support and encouragement you need when you start your private practice journeyThe power you have to choose your own adventure as a private practice ownerA realistic look at what it’s like when you decide to leave your job and go all in on your private practice The one thing that could stop you from fulfillment as an SLP or OTThe key thing you have to remember when figuring out billing and insuranceI hope you enjoyed hearing from Alex and how she took the initiative to start her own practice. She is a perfect example of someone who expanded her practice through diversifying her income streams and focusing on non-clinical skills in addition to clinical care. If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support you - just like we supported Alex - please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/ResourcesWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Alex’s website: http://www.thewynterwellnessgroup.com/Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandria.wynter/Follow her private practice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewynterwellnessgroupFollow She X Shines on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shexshines/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Are you thinking about specializing in your private practice? You’ll love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories. I sat down with Farwa Husain who is a speech-language pathologist with a neurodiversity affirming private practice in New Jersey. She decided to start her private practice after feeling burnt out and wanting to have a deeper impact on the children she was working with. In this episode, she talks about specializing in Gestalt Language Processing and the importance of neurodiversity-affirming care. Farwa discusses how specializing has allowed her to have more control over her caseload and avoid burnout. She also talks about how she grew her practice by providing in-services and education for families and the community and how she is now selling physical products.Farwa Husain is an experienced bilingual speech-language pathologist and private practice owner of One-on-One Speech Therapy located in Raritan, NJ. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Farwa presented at the 2022 American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention on ”Using Natural Language Acquisition to Support Autistic and Neurotypical Gestalt Language Development .“ She was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Award for Continuing Education (ACE) from ASHA.Farwa is currently serving as President of Morris County Speech and Hearing Association. Farwa takes a holistic, sensory-driven, play-based approach to support children’s language development and goals. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How starting your private practice can be the key to overcoming burnout and reigniting your passionFarwa’s proven tips to successfully attract clients - even if you’re just starting outThe simple mindset shift that can propel you to success in your practiceThe secret to differentiating your private practice from all the others and attracting your ideal clientsLittle-known ways you can incorporate additional streams of income into your private practice for increased financial stabilityThe power of connecting with other SLPs and how Farwa does it to grow her professional circleThe simple way to exponentially grow your impact and make a lasting difference in your communityI love how Farwa started her own practice so she could operate within her zone of genius, Gestalt Language Therapy. She is a perfect example of someone who is growing their practice through multiple income streams and tailoring their offerings to their interests and skills. If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Farwa’s website: https://www.oneononespeechtherapy.com/Follow Farwa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one.on.one.speechtherapyGestalt Goodness: https://www.gestaltgoodness.com/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Are you a neurodivergent SLP or OT thinking about starting your own private practice? This episode of Private Practice Success Stories is for you! I sat down with Alex Green, a speech-language pathologist with a private practice called Green Family Therapies in La Verne, California. She grew up watching her mom work as a school-based SLP and fell in love with the field, but decided to start her private practice after being in an unsupportive work environment.In this episode, Alex talks about how she almost left the field entirely after her clinical fellowship year where she felt exploited, overworked, and unsupported. She discusses how her daughter was the key to discovering her own ADHD diagnosis, and how having a clinical director has helped her maintain work-life balance as a neurodivergent SLP. In 2022, Alexandria Green, MS, CCC-SLP, a seasoned entrepreneur and private practice owner, experienced a pivotal moment. Drawing from her 11-year journey in communication disorders and inspired by the collaborative spirit that defined her SLP community, she envisioned a platform to amplify the collective wisdom of Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs). Motivated by her personal challenges as an undiagnosed neurodivergent ADHDer and a desire for work-life harmony, Alexandria founded the SLP Link. This dynamic platform serves as a haven where SLPs from diverse settings unite, share direct-access resources, and collectively elevate their practices through a supportive and collaborative community.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What led Alex to start a private practiceHow she got her first clientHow Alex grew her private practice from nothing up to hiring over 10 therapistsHow she transitioned to virtual therapy during the pandemicThe power of having a strong team as a large private practice owner with ADHDHow Alex changed her life and business after her diagnosisWhy private practice is perfect for people with ADHD I hope you enjoyed this episode with Alex! I love how she learned how to work with her neurodivergence, not against it. The field of SLP is evolving and making progress when it comes to neurodivergence, and Alex is part of that change.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/Resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Alex’s website: https://theslplink.com/Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theslplink/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Feeling burned out? Wondering if private practice is the answer for you? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories. I sat down with Vanessa Alcala, who decided to start her private practice after feeling the effects of burnout and having the desire to be her own boss. This is her second time on the show and she talks about her non-traditional journey to the field of SLP. Vanessa discusses how having her own private practice has helped her avoid burnout and how she has the freedom and flexibility to work with a variety of clients, ranging from bilingual children to older adults. She also talks about the importance of branding your business and the additional streams of revenue she’s added to her practice.Vanessa Alcala, M.S. CCC-SLP, CDP is the owner and founder of TheraVolve Wellness Co., a bilingual Speech Therapy private practice serving adolescents and adults. In her professional career, she has provided skilled evaluation and intervention services to children, adult and geriatric populations in outpatient settings and skilled nursing.Vanessa is also the co-creator of Sip & Social, which creates opportunities for connection and collaboration for female entrepreneurs in the healthcare industry by hosting social networking events throughout the Tampa Bay area.It is her mission to provide a holistic approach to speech therapy by utilizing evidence-based and culturally sensitive practices with clients, parents, caregivers, and families. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Vanessa’s atypical journey to private practiceThe freedom you get when you have your own businessThe mindset shift that increased her successWhat a typical week looks like as a private practice ownerThe work Vanessa is doing with Sip and SocialThe power of building a referral network Why we don’t need to be competitive in private practiceWhy you don’t have to wait years to start a private practiceThe power of charging your worthA mindset shift around earning money in our professionVanessa’s plans to hire help in her practice I hope you loved this episode with Vanessa! She is a perfect example of someone who reduced her burnout and found freedom and flexibility through private practice. She has created her ideal career and life for herself by being her own boss, and you can too.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Vanessa’s website: www.theravolvewellness.comFollow Vanessa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theravolvewellnessFollow Vanessa on Facebook: Facebook.com/theravolvewellnessFollow Sip and Social on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.social/

Ever wish you could hear directly from the “regular” SLPs or OTs who transformed into successful private practitioners after going through the Start Your Private Practice Program? Their words? Their experience? Their outcomes from being in the program? Well, now you can! In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m introducing you to 4 amazing Start Your Private Practice student alums: Kacie Bartlet, Emily Gavin, Caitlin Celendano, and Melissa Perez.All 4 of these Start students came from different backgrounds and had their own unique reasons for starting their own private practices. Some had experienced burnout early on in their careers, and others wanted more freedom and flexibility in their day-to-day lives for their current - or future families. Others had a particular niche that they wanted to serve and knew that there weren’t enough services in their community.All 4 of these students had the same fears, doubts, and hesitations as you do - but they decided to go for it, join The Start Your Private Practice Program, and create a new future for themselves.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How each of these students decided to start a private practiceThe power of having a support system when starting a businessThe freedom that having a private practice gives you How the Start program helped these students figure out how to succeedWhat it’s like to start your practice on the side of your regular jobHow the Facebook community helps support students in the programThe income potential with a private practice How to fund or access assessments when you’re first getting started The impact of collaborating with other practices in your area How to find clients for your private practiceThe benefits of investing in yourself I hope you enjoyed this episode and that as you listened to their stories, you could see how you can do the same. They took a chance on themselves by joining the Start program, and it worked to give them the future they needed whether they were seeking freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, or financial independence. Enrollment for the Start Program is open now! To enroll, just visit: PrivatePracticeCourse.com and you’ll get immediate access to the exact same program that Kacie, Emily, Caitlin, and Melissa all went through to get set up, started, and seeing private clients. Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Enroll in the Start Your Private Practice program: PrivatePracticeCourse.comWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Wondering how you can get more clients in your private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Melissa Perez, a speech-language pathologist with a private practice called Honeybee Speech in El Centro, California. She decided to start her private practice after experiencing burnout from teletherapy and discovering the Start Your Private Practice program in 2022.Melissa has been one of our Start Start students who recently joined The Grow Your Private Practice Program. Melissa grew quickly, quicker than she thought she would. In this episode, she talks about how she went from zero to 30 clients in the first 3 months of starting her practice. Melissa shares how she started out by renting a dentist’s waiting room for $50 a month, and expanded her practice through referrals and taking small, consistent steps.Melissa Perez graduated with a Masters of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from New York University in May of 2020. She has spent the majority of their career working as a teletherapist for a clinic based in Palm Desert, CA. There, she had the opportunity to work with individuals across the lifespan with various communication difficulties. It was during her time there that she found a true love for working with children with speech sound disorders and the early intervention population. Once the idea of opening a private practice popped into her head, she knew they wanted to focus on those two areas. To date, it has been 8 months since she opened her private practice and it was truly the best decision she ever made.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why Melissa decided that private practice was right for herHow her private practice took offWhy you don’t have to start big, you can start small How Melissa went from 0-30 clients in 3 monthsThe shift from traditional employment to fully self-employedThe cool things that Melissa has on the horizon for her private practiceWhy other practices aren’t your competitionWhere Melissa gets her clients The power of running your practice like a businessI hope you enjoyed this episode with Melissa! I love how she found a way to grow her practice through a variety of referrals and by taking small, consistent steps in the right direction.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Follow Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivhoneybeespeech/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting a neurodiversity-affirming private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Samantha Rothman, an occupational therapist with a private practice called Play and Purpose in Phoenix, Arizona. She decided to start her private practice after being laid off during the pandemic and realizing she didn’t want to rely on others for income anymore.Join us as she talks about creating a neurodiversity-affirming practice with a whole-child approach. Samantha discusses how she grew her practice to include 5 therapists, as well as the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout as her practice grows.Samantha is a licensed and board-certified pediatric occupational therapist, DIR Floortime provider, and the owner/founder of Play and Purpose. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University.She enjoys using a "whole child" approach, including all aspects of being human-especially focusing on emotional and mental health. She is passionate about using child-led and non-compliance-based techniques to promote engagement and self-advocacy skills.Samantha has experience working with children who have unique needs and consulting with schools/parents to ensure great outcomes. Additionally, she enjoys helping parents to advocate for services and programs that may be beneficial to the child's progress.Outside of patient care, Samantha is devoting time to mentoring new therapists and building/supporting our team. In her free time, she enjoys reading, kayaking, traveling, and weightlifting.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How being laid off led to her starting a private practice Why Samantha decided to focus on neurodiversity-affirming practicesThe burnout many therapists feel in traditional settingsHow Samantha eased into private practice The freedom and happiness you get when you have your own private practiceWhy boundaries are so important in private practiceWhen she decided it was time to hire help How Samantha helps her employees feel valued and appreciatedHow she finds her clients using Facebook networking groups and referralsSamantha’s plans for the future of her private practiceI hope you loved this episode with Samantha! I love how she focuses on neurodiversity-affirming approaches and created a practice that allows her to provide the quality care her clients deserve.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Samantha’s website: https://playandpurposeaz.com/Follow Samantha on Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/playandpurposeaz/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you ever thought about starting a coaching-based private practice? You’re going to love this episode! I sat down with Emily Gavin who decided to take the leap into private practice with encouragement from her peers and spouse after being laid off from her job.In this episode, she talks about her journey from SNFs and inpatient rehab to owning her own dementia-focused business. Emily shares how caring for her mother-in-law with dementia inspired her special interest. Emily S. Gavin, MS, OTR/L, came to occupational therapy as a second career in 2012 at the age of 41. After a few years of clinical work in geriatrics, she transitioned into a management position at a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Philadelphia, PA. This non-traditional setting allowed her the freedom to develop specialized knowledge in dementia care training, though she always felt the vulnerability of being a middle manager. Being laid off in May of 2023 seemed like the perfect time to start PhillyCare Coaching LLC, the private practice she'd always thought of as the next thing.Emily hopes to complete her Post-Professional OTD at Thomas Jefferson University in late 2025. She has also earned an Advanced Practice Certificate in Coaching, and will soon be a certified practitioner of Skills2Care®, an evidence-based program supporting caregivers of people living with dementia. She uses the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model to inform her treatment plans.Emily lives in the Germantown section of Philadelphia with her wife and four cats. Someday she will have time to knit again.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The moment that brought Emily to become an OT and start a private practiceWhen she realized her passion for dementia patientsHow she kicked imposter syndrome to the curbHow long it took Emily to get her first private practice clientThe types of clients Emily works withHow she networked to grow her private practiceThe power of referrals in growing your private practiceI hope you enjoyed this episode with Emily! I love how she overcame imposter syndrome and remained persistent in opening her private practice. If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help YOU - just like we helped Emily - please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Emily’s website: https://phillycarecoaching.com/Follow Emily on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093197558689Follow Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillycarecoachingConnect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-s-gavin-ms-otr-l-94966454/Listen to her podcast: https://whentheflamesgoup.substack.com/p/episode-13-its-hard-to-lie-to-the?r=15iyyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email#details

Have you ever dreamed of opening a small niche private practice so you can specialize in working with your dream clients? If so, you’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories. I sat down with Jodie Wallis, who decided to take the leap into private practice when her mentor moved locations, leaving an opening in her area.In this episode, she talks about how she discovered her love of feeding therapy and turned it into her own private practice, what it’s like to have ADHD as an SLP and entrepreneur, and the importance of hiring an assistant to manage her workload. Jodie Wallis is a speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor who specializes in pediatric feeding. She focuses on functional outcomes with the ultimate goal of helping to reduce stress in families related to feeding difficulties. She is committed to helping families feel heard and supported.Her approach combines skilled intervention with parent coaching so that a child’s therapy plan can easily be incorporated into daily routines. Her areas of expertise include optimal breast and bottle feeding, successful transition to solids, transition from tube to oral feeds, expanding “picky” eating, managing reflux, and working with medically complex babies.She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Missouri, Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Certified Lactation Counselor.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How Jodie found her passion for feeding therapyWhen she knew that private practice was the path for herHow she balances her private practice caseloadThe power of having multiple sources of incomeWhere Jodie gets her referrals for infant feeding therapy The freedom to build your own schedule that you get as a private practice ownerThe shift from clinician to CEO What it’s like having a private practice as someone with ADHDThe power of finding your person and hiring someone who can help you growJodie’s vision for the future of her private practiceI hope you loved this episode with Jodie! She is a perfect example of someone who set a strong foundation for their business and used their creativity and skills to make it bigger and better. If you would like to know more about how we helped Jodie grow her private practice, please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.comWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Jodie’s website: https://www.flourishingkidstherapy.com/Follow Jodie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlourishingKidsTherapy/Follow Jodie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishingkidstherapy/

Dreaming of starting a private practice with a specialization? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Kaitlin Malcahey, a pediatric speech-language pathologist with a private practice called Competent Communicators. She first started thinking about private practice while feeling burned out during COVID, and by 2022 she took the leap and did it. I got to know Kaitlin during her time in The Grow Your Private Practice program, and it has been so amazing to watch her business shift to become AAC focused and watch her create the work-life balance she craved. She shares how she loves working with kids and how she’s becoming known for specializing in AAC. Kaitlin also shares the fulfillment she gets from being able to work with clients in a more personalized, meaningful way.Kaitlin is an SLP with over 8 years of experience who opened her own practice in January of 2023. She specializes in AAC, gestalt language processing and sensory-informed play-based therapy. She particularly enjoys working with clients 6 and under and incorporating their families into therapy sessions. She has taken the Meaningful Speech course for natural language acquisition, countless AAC courses and Jessie Ginsburg sensory trainings. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When Kaitlin decided to start her own private practiceHow she saved money on getting her own clinic spaceWhy she decided to specialize in AAC clientsHow she got her first referrals in her private practiceWhy there really are enough clients to go around for everyoneHow utilizing Google Reviews can help grow your private practiceHow private practice helps you make more of an impact on the clients you work withThe work-life balance you get when you have a private practiceI hope you enjoyed hearing from Kaitlin! I love how she created her own private practice so she could work with more AAC clients. She is a perfect example of someone who wanted more work-life balance, and found that and so much more through private practice.If you would like to know more about our Private Practice School and the Programs that we offer to support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit PrivatePracticeSchool.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Kaitlin's website: https://www.competentcommunicators.org/Follow Kaitlin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/competentcommunicatorsllc/Follow Kaitlin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlinmulcaheyslpWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Welcome to a special episode of Private Practice Success Stories! In this episode, I’m making a huge announcement about the future of private practice education, and it’s the biggest announcement in Independent Clinician history.Introducing…Private Practice School!We are rebuilding the structure of our programs to make them bigger and better than ever. The private practice movement is growing, and Private Practice School is at the center of it.Private practice is truly an opportunity to change your life, your family's life, and the lives of your clients and their families, and we are so excited to help you achieve that with Private Practice School. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The 2 core principles that drive everything we do at Independent ClinicianHow we are rebuilding our programs to make them stronger than everHow this growth will impact our current students and programs What you can expect from this bigger, stronger program The Private Practice Movement is growing, and Private Practice School is at the center of it.If you haven’t started your practice… let’s get going. Head over to StartYourPrivatePractice.com right now, enroll in the Start Your Private Practice Program, and let’s help you get set up and start seeing private clients so you can help more people while making more money.If you’ve already started your practice… let’s keep going. Head over to GrowYourPrivatePractice.com right now and join The Grow Your Private Practice Coaching Program so that we can help you #levelup your private practice and your life. It’s time to scale your income and impact - without scaling your time.To learn more, please visit PrivatePracticeSchool.com/resources right now, enroll in whichever Program is right for your level, and let’s make your private practice dreams a reality… together.See you in private practice school!Resources Mentioned: Learn more about Private Practice School: PrivatePracticeSchool.com/resourcesStart Your Private Practice: StartYourPrivatePractice.comGrow Your Private Practice: GrowYourPrivatePractice.comWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Wondering how private practice can help you get more flexibility in your life? This episode of Private Practice Success Stories is for you! I sat down with Evelyn Pierce-Ruhland, a pediatric speech-language pathologist with a private practice in Kingsville, Ohio called Inspire Speech and Language Therapy. After working in the schools for 10 years she was overwhelmed by the high caseloads, paperwork, and long hours. Feeling the burnout, Evelyn quit her job, joined the Start program, and had her first client within two weeks! In this episode, she talks about how the marketing tactics from the Start program helped her build her caseload to start seeing pediatric clients in local libraries across her rural area. She also discusses how the flexibility of having her own private practice gives her the power to make her own schedule and have more work-life balance. Evelyn Pierce-Ruhland has been an SLP for over 30 years. She worked for 11 years and then had the privilege of taking time off to homeschool her children. She returned to work 4 years ago just before COVID hit. She has worked in a private clinic with OT/PT, an ENT's office, the schools, and now has her own private practice. She specializes in working with the pediatric population. She enjoys working with families as they begin their journey toward full communication with their child. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When Evelyn got her first real taste of private practiceHow the field has changed and why clinicians are more burned out than everHow Evelyn got her first client within the first two weeksHow the Start program helped Evelyn market her businessHow you can perfect your pricing for your practiceWhat a typical day looks like as a private practice ownerTypes of payment options you can offer in your private practiceThe flexibility I hope you loved hearing from Evelyn! She is a perfect example of someone who took a chance on herself by joining the Start program and found the work-life balance she knew she deserved. If you would like to know more about our programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.independentclinician.com/resources.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Evelyn’s website: https://inspirespeechtherapy.com/Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspireSpeechTherapyLearn more about our programs: www.independentclinician.com/resourcesWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Wondering about different types of private practice models? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Meghan Samuels, who started her private practice in order to have more flexibility, work-life balance, and time to spend with her family. In this episode, she talks about how she started offering language enrichment groups for toddlers and preschoolers in her area, and then expanded this idea and began selling the curriculum to other SLPs! Meghan is a Nashville-based speech-language pathologist. Meghan has been an SLP for 10 years and a private practice owner for 2 years. Meghan's private practice was opened out of necessity for her family - to work but be present for her family. Over the past two years, Meghan has built a practice focused on the early childhood population. Language-rich play ™ opportunities are a major part of the Tiny Talkers PLLC business model. Tiny Talkers Groups are held within the Nashville community and provide more families access to an SLP for development concerns, additional support for communication, and supported interactions with peers in a play-based environment. Meghan has launched the Tiny Talkers Group Curriculum to provide SLPs with low-prep plans for incorporating small groups into their practices. Tiny Talkers Parent Handouts and coaching support to SLPs in their small group journey are also available. The Curriculum and resources are available on her website www.tinytalkersgroupcurriculum.com.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The leap of faith that led Meghan to start her own private practiceHow she came up with small group ideas Meghan’s time-saving tips that simplified planning for her groupsHow she serves clients in different areas Meghan’s experience hiring contractors for her private practiceThe power you have to create your own dream job with your private practiceHow Meghan helps other SLPs create this type of private practice modelThe freedom and flexibility you get with a private practiceI hope you loved this episode with Meghan! I love how she noticed a need for language enrichment groups in her area and turned her therapy model into a curriculum to help other SLPs. She is a perfect example of someone who took a leap of faith to make it all happen for herself and others.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resourcesWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Meghan’s website to see her resources and curriculum: www.tinytalkersgroupcurriculum.comVisit the Tiny Talkers website: https://tinytalkersnashville.com/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Thinking of starting a private practice with a partner? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with two students from the Start Your Private Practice program, Jessie Lanford and Josephine Lougee. They are a speech-language pathologist and physical therapist duo with a private practice in Augusta, Georgia. They started their private practice after working together and realizing they had similar goals and wanted more autonomy and work-life balance. In this episode, they talk about building their multidisciplinary practice together, getting referrals through social media and networking, and the importance of creating a caring company culture. Jessie Lanford, PT/DPT, and Josephine Lougee, SLP are the founders of Better Days Therapies of Augusta. Both clinicians have almost 5 years of experience working together in different outpatient pediatric clinics and a local hospital. They decided to start the journey of owning a private practice and just celebrated their 1 year anniversary in their first clinic! Josephine and Jessie have made their dreams a reality and have quickly realized that the sky is the limit when you own a private practice. The foundation for Better Days Therapies not only reflects the morals, values, and ethics of these two clinicians but also offers an encouraging working environment to promote passion and professional growth. Their journey has taught them so much along the way and they are learning new things each and every day. In the beginning, they took the time to establish a team of business professionals to guide them along this journey. As a member of the Start Your Private Practice group, the course gave them the resources and confidence to take the leap into full-time ownership.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When and why Josie and Jessie decided to start a private practice togetherHow they got their first clients When they decided to go full-time with their practiceWhat it’s like to have a partnership in your private practiceThe variety of ages and specialties you can work within your own practiceTheir plans to help educate other SLPs and OTs in the community in the futureHow Jessie and Josie approach marketing their private practice How they help their therapists avoid burnout I hope you loved this episode with Josie and Jessie! I love how they turned their shared vision into a reality to open their own private practice. They are a perfect example of how teamwork can really make the dream work!Want to start a private practice - just like Josie and Jessie - but don't know how?Please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources to learn more about our programs.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Check out Josie and Jessie’s website: https://www.betterdaystherapies.com/Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterdaystherapies_augusta/Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085393383346Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Ready to finally make the transition from schools to private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories. I sat down with Kim Jenkins, a pediatric speech-language pathologist with a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. She started her private practice in 2018 after feeling inspired to become her own boss.She shares how she started her private practice journey by seeing clients on the side while working full-time in the schools, and how much she loves the flexibility, freedom, and control over her schedule that she gets from owning her own private practice.Kim Jenkins is a pediatric SLP and the owner of Empowering Speech Services, a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in speech therapy for autistic children who are gestalt language processors.Through Empowering Speech Services, she creates an environment that celebrates and supports neurodiversity, emphasizing the unique abilities and strengths of each individual.Beyond her professional pursuits, Kim Jenkins is also a content creator, author, and public speaker. Her written work is geared toward parents, caregivers, and fellow professionals seeking to better understand neurodiversity and speech therapy.In addition to her career, Kim is a mother to two college students, Sean and Joshua, and a "Dog Mom" to three lively canine companions: John, Luke, and Danny. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, and exercising.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How Kim got started in the private practice world The impact of setting big goals in your private practiceHow Kim began to find her first clients The power of switching from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindsetThe freedom and flexibility you get when you’re your own bossThe different ways you can set up your private practice Why you should embrace multiple forms of income The power we all have to create our own reality Why now is the best time to start a private practiceI hope you enjoyed this episode with Kim! She is a perfect example of someone who didn't think she could be a business owner initially, but realized that anyone can do it as long as you have the right tools and mindset.If you would like to know more about our programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resourcesWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Kim’s website: www.empoweringspeechservices.comFollow Kim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringspeechservices/Visit Kim’s TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Empowering-Speech-ServicesCheck out her services: https://stan.store/kjenkins47Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Wondering how you can market to medical private practices?In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I spoke with Meaghan Arnold, a speech-language pathologist with an adult and geriatric-focused private practice in Tyler, Texas. She began her career working in skilled nursing facilities and home health and quickly realized the need for continued care. This prompted Meaghan to start her own private practice in 2020. We discuss how being passionate about your niche and patient population is key to success. Meaghan shares why she is so passionate about physician and community education and emphasizes the importance of both clinical care and business aspects in running a healthcare practice.Meaghan Arnold is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Speech Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation, a private practice in Tyler, Texas. SSNR exclusively serves the adult and geriatric populations across voice, speech, memory, cognition, language, and swallowing deficits. Meaghan received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona and her Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Meaghan has worked in skilled nursing facilities, home health, and the outpatient setting in Texas for the last eight years. Meaghan is a three-time ASHA ACE award recipient and is passionate about the importance of lifelong continuing education. She prioritizes her participation in community outreach events and patient education. Meaghan has presented at local conferences, support groups, universities, and physician offices across topics including dysphagia management in the head and neck cancer population, deviations from typical in the aging swallow, communication changes in the dementia population, and risk mitigation and decision-making in dysphagia.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Meaghan’s story of how she became a private practice owner The importance of selling your servicesHow having a private practice allows you to prioritize what matters with your patientsWays to find referrals for your practice The key to successful word-of-mouth marketing What you need to know if you struggle with a fear of failure The mindset shift from selling to advocating How to perfect your elevator pitch when asking for referrals from medical practicesThe importance of thinking and acting like a business ownerWhat it’s like to own a private practice as a mom I hope you enjoyed your conversation with Meaghan! She is a perfect example of someone who turned her niche clinical interests into a thriving business where she has full control over which populations she works with. If you would like to know more about how we can help you start your private practice (just like we helped Meaghan!) please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Meaghan’s website: https://ssnrtx.com/Follow Meaghan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssnr_tx/Follow Meaghan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068718896885Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m sharing something a little different. I sat down with Rachel Archambault, who is a speech-language pathologist and trauma educator. She started her Instagram account and consulting practice, The PTSD SLP, after experiencing a traumatic event at work. This experience led Rachel to discover trauma-informed care and how it could help her better serve her students and professionals understand howIn this episode, she talks about what trauma-informed care is, why it matters, and how to apply the principles to your interactions.This isn’t a private practice-specific episode but it’s information that all private practitioners need - even if you don’t think you need to know it. I promise. This episode is well worth your time because it will inform how you practice and how to interact with not just clients, but everyone you know. Rachel Archambault, MA CCC SLP, is an SLP Program Specialist in Broward County Florida. Previously, she was an SLP at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida. On 2/14/18, a traumatic event happened at her workplace. This led her to look up resources for her students who had undergone trauma. She found trauma-informed care and has been presenting to SLPs and related fields ever since. Rachel created @PTSD.SLP to serve as a place where she could post resources, answer questions, and support SLPs using trauma-informed care. Rachel is also a cohost of the Speech Science Podcast. She recently created PTSD SLP, LLC to provide trauma-informed consultations and presentations to educators and healthcare providers.  In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The tragedy that got Rachel into trauma-informed care The first steps if you want to become more trauma-informedWhy it’s important that we understand the trauma people have experiencedHow to find out what trauma someone has experienced in a sensitive way Using inclusive and non-violent language to avoid causing more harm The importance of having an emotional regulation toolboxI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Rachel. People like her are making a huge impact and I hope that she inspires you to embrace trauma-informed care in your practice. To learn more about trauma-informed care and Rachel Archambault's work, please visit https://www.ptsdslp.com/ and follow her on Instagram. Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit the PTSD SLP website: https://www.ptsdslp.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram: Instagram.com/ptsd.SLPGet a copy of What Happened to You: https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-You-Understanding-Resilience/dp/1250223180Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Interested in learning more about turning your niche as an SLP or OT into a thriving private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories.I sat down with Jaime Perez, who is a speech-language pathologist and lactation consultant with a private practice in Tampa, Florida. She started her private practice after facing burnout in the hospital setting and wanting to spend more time with her family. I got to know Jamie during her time in the Start program and it has been so exciting to watch her find her niche in feeding therapy.In this episode she talks about her journey from event planner to SLP, finding her calling in the NICU, and how private practice empowered her to put her family first. Jaime Kaley Perez is an ASHA-certified Speech Language Pathologist, passionate feeding specialist, and mother of two crazy boys. She is also a Certified Neonatal Therapist, Certified Neonatal Massage Therapist, Certified Lactation Counselor, and has been treating medically complex infants and children in hospitals and neonatal intensive care units for over 10 years.She loves tiny humans and is a strong patient advocate and supporter of parents. She tackles feeding difficulties with a holistic focus and believes the best care is family-centered.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Jaime’s journey to becoming a pediatric SLP that worked in the NICUHow you can work a lot less hours and make the same money or moreWhere Jaime does the most marketing for her private practiceThe power of networking and collaborationHow Jaime became a lactation consultant and why it is so helpful during speech servicesWhy Jaime decided on a mobile private practiceThe freedom you get when you have a private practiceThe fulfillment you get from building a private practice yourself How to bring your joy back as an SLP or OTI hope you loved this conversation with Jaime! I love how she found her niche in feeding therapy and built a practice that brought her joy for the profession back to life. She is a perfect example of someone who had fears about jumping into private practice, but took a chance on herself and was rewarded with the flexibility and freedom she craved. If you would like our help to start your private practice - just like we helped Jaime get started - please visit StartYourPrivatePractice.comWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Jaime’s website: www.thrivingjoy.comFollow Jaime on Instagram: Instagram.com/thrivingjoytherapyWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Ever wish you could hear directly from the “regular” SLPs or OTs who transformed into successful private practitioners after going through the Start Your Private Practice Program? Their words? Their experience? Their outcomes from being in the program? Well, now you can! In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m going to introduce you to 3 amazing Start Your Private Practice student alums: Lexey Pruitt, Claire Powers, and Asha LeRay.All 3 of these Start students came from different backgrounds and had their own unique reasons for starting their own private practices. Some had experienced burnout early on in their careers, and others wanted more freedom and flexibility in their day-to-day lives for their current - or future families.All 3 of these students had the same fears, doubts, and hesitations as you do, but they decided to go for it, join The Start Your Private Practice Program, and create a new future for themselves! In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How fast your life can completely change with a private practiceHow a private practice helps you do what you are passionate about and receive the financial stability you deserveTips for maintaining your private practice even during a big moveWhat it’s like to transition from part-time to full-time in your private practiceHow you can use your skills to grow your private practiceThe power of working in under-served populationsHow having a private practice can change the life of your whole familyThe freedom to work with clients the way you know can truly help themGreat ways to get clients for your private practiceThe confidence being a private practice owner gives youThe best way to grow your income in a shorter amount of timeWeren’t those stories so powerful? I hope that as you listened to their stories you saw yourself in various aspects of their lives and can see how they’ve transformed their careers by being in private practice. They took a chance on themselves by joining the Start program, and it worked to give them the future they needed whether they were seeking freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, or financial independence. Enrollment for the Start Your Private Practice Program is OPEN! Come join the *exact same Program* used by our panelists by going to: www.PrivatePracticeCourse.com!Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Join us in the Start Your Private Practice program: www.PrivatePracticeCourse.comWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

For many SLPs and OTs, the path to this career isn’t always straightforward.And that’s okay! If you are looking for a way to integrate your unique career path into private practice, you’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories. I sat down with Jaimie Gant, a Start Your Private Practice student, whose previous career in law enforcement led her to discover the field of speech pathology. She was then driven to open her own private practice by the desire to be her own boss. In this episode she talks about her unconventional path to being an SLP, how networking helped her find more clients, and why she recommends a five-year plan for clinicians to determine if private practice is right for them. Jaimie Gant, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is the owner and founder of Avec Therapy Services, a speech therapy private practice in Tampa, FL. Jaimie is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and Certified Dementia Practitioner with experience in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Her diverse background in healthcare, criminal justice, and state regulatory licensure and investigations has allowed her to serve her community in a variety of settings. Jaimie’s mission at Avec is to connect with clients and families to provide personalized care that improves the quality of their lives.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When Jaimie decided to shift careers and become an SLPWhen she knew that private practice was right for herHow Jaimie found her first client The power we have to continuously change and evolveTips for finding clients for your private practiceHow to decide what payer sources to accept The impact of having a willingness to learn something newThe benefits of making a five-year plan for your life and businessJaimie’s plans for the future of her private practiceI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Jaimie! I love how she discovered her passion for SLP and private practice through her career experience in criminal justice. She is a perfect example of someone who found flexibility and independence through owning her own private practice. Private Practice Bootcamp starts next week! Come join us to learn how to plan a private practice that's perfect for you. Register now by requesting to join the Pop Up Facebook Group.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Register for the Private Practice Bootcamp: https://www.facebook.com/groups/857453469713890Visit Jaimie’s website: https://www.avectherapy.com/Follow Jaimie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avectherapy/Follow Jaimie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechwithjaimie/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Ready to go all in on your private practice? In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with one of my students Michael Johnston to discuss how she did it! I got to know Michael in the Start Your Private Practice Program and oh my goodness has she grown quickly!She is one year into her private practice journey and already has a multidisciplinary practice serving 100 clients a week because she’s in a rural area that desperately needs services because it didn’t have any pediatric therapy services. In addition to wanting to serve her community, Michael started her private practice to have more flexibility for her family. Michael is the type that likes to go “All In” and she has with her private practice. Whether you live in a rural or populated area, if you’ve been thinking about starting a private practice to fill your needs, your family's needs, and the needs of people in your community, this is a must-listen episode!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When Michael made the decision to go full-time with her own private practiceHow Michael filled the need for services in her community The payer sources Michael accepts in her private practiceHow to find your very first clients The power of word-of-mouth referrals and reviews Why Michael decided to offer multiple disciplines in her practice instead of just speechWhere Michael’s private practice is located and her plans for expansionI hope you found this episode with Michael inspiring! I love how dedicated she is to her community and how she wants to bring services and jobs to her local area. She is a perfect example of someone who had a goal and went all in to get it. And you can too.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we work with SLPs and OTs - just like Michael to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/learn-with-jena/.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Michael’s website: https://www.fundamentalpediatrictherapy.com/Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fundamental_pediatrictherapyFollow Michael on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FUNdamentalpediatrictherapyWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Welcome to one of my favorite episodes of the year: My Private Practice Predictions for 2024! And specifically, I’m talking about how to thrive in a changing economic landscape.I’m going to make 3 BIG predictions that you’re going to want to know if you’re thinking about starting your private practice this year. I’ll give you a hint of one of them: The Importance of Diversification of Income. I tell my students in the Start and Grow Your Private Practice programs all the time about how business isn't something that you learn once. Just like you're a lifelong learner for clinical education, it's important to invest in being a lifelong learner for your business education. One of the reasons is that this landscape of practice changes every few years, and you need to be prepared and know how to navigate the ups and downs, the feast and famine cycles, and different positive and negative trends when it comes to things like finances, marketing, hiring, and more. So I know what I'm talking about. And no matter where you are in the private practice journey, I know that the information that I'm about to share can really help you.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How we are planning to support even more students in our programs this yearThe shift toward lifestyle private practicesPositioning your private practice in a changing economyWhy diversification of income is crucialThose are my private practice predictions for 2024! I hope you're feeling as energized and excited about the future of private practice as I am. My word for 2024 is 'Evolve' – because it's all about evolving with the times, simplifying complexities, and thriving in our practices. Beginners, Private Practice Bootcamp starts on January 22nd! Click here to register by requesting to join the private Facebook group!Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Join the Private Practice Bootcamp: www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.comWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you ever considered running a private practice while living abroad?I sat down with Dyan Dickerson who is a speech-language pathologist with a virtual, floortime-focused private practice in the US and London. Dyan discovered her passion for floortime therapy after working with a very special child and his family during undergrad. In this episode, Dyan shares her love of floortime therapy and talks about how starting her own private practice allowed her the freedom to move abroad with her family while still seeing clients virtually.Dyan is an SLP, private practice owner, and mom working in America and the UK. Dyan worked at The Floortime Center in Bethesda MD straight out of grad school after falling in love with the Floortime Approach and DIR model in her undergraduate program. She learned from a team of amazing professionals while working there and was able to be a part of some great experiences from giving trainings, lectures both stateside and abroad, and being a part of a top-notch team. But she always wanted to open her own practice one day, having control over her therapy, schedule, and programs. And when her family started to grow- it was the perfect time to make the switch. She is passionate about supporting and advocating for neurodivergent children and their families and sees individual clients, has intensive programs, and helps to train other therapists wanting to use a child-led, developmental therapy approach. As a private practice owner, she sees the importance of keeping up collaborative relationships as well as continuing her education with courses around her niche.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Dyan’s journey into private practiceThe power of finding your clinical passion How Dyan packed up her family and private practice and moved to LondonHow intensives can be used in your therapy sessionsCreating a private practice that fits around your life not the other way aroundThe freedom and flexibility to do what you want, where you want with a private practiceDyans plans for the future of her private practiceWhy you need people to collaborate with, even as a private practice ownerI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Dyan! She is a perfect example of someone who found the flexibility and freedom to travel and make her own schedule by starting her own private practice. Want our help to start or grow your private practice in a strategic and profitable way? Please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/!Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Dyan’s website: https://www.floortimefla.com/Visit Dyan’s TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Floortime-FloridaFollow Dyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floortimefla/?hl=enWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Thinking about starting a private practice to find more flexibility in your life? You’re going to love this episode! In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Martha Boiardt, a Grow Your Private Practice student who started her private practice in 2020 after becoming a mom and wanting the flexibility to spend more time with her family. Martha talks about how she went from working for a private practice to starting her own! Starting her private practice gave her the flexibility and freedom she needed as a parent to care for her own children while continuing to serve the needs of children in her community. She also discusses the importance of parent coaching and her future plans to offer a support group to her clients' families. Martha Boiardt, MS, CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist based in Miami, FL. She became a practicing SLP in 2010, working in private practice, public schools, and specialized private schools. In 2014, she founded Miami Speech Therapy with the goal of running a mobile practice that focused on a family-centered approach for each client. When she is not working with clients in their homes and schools, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 children, and their pets Allie and Sunny. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How Martha went from working at a private practice to starting her ownThe benefits of having your own private practiceHow Martha discovered the type of business owner she wanted to beThe types of clients she serves in her private practiceHow Martha is incorporating parent coaching into her practiceA fantastic way to get referrals for your businessMartha’s plan for the future of her private practiceThe power of collaborating with other professionals I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Martha! I love how she talked about how her priorities changed once she became a parent. She found that serving families through her private practice allowed her to feel fulfilled and have more freedom to spend time with her family. Want our help to start or grow your private practice in a strategic and profitable way - just like we helped Martha? Please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/! Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Martha’s website: http://www.miamispeechtx.com/Follow Martha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamispeechtherapy/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Wondering what the potential is if you just start your private practice as a side gig? In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Gina Sanfelippo who started her private practice on the side shortly after graduating. After gaining experience and seeing the growth potential, Gina left her school position in June 2023 to focus on expanding her private practice. I got to know Gina during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program. It has been amazing to watch her private practice become successful while also finding a better work-life balance and being able to focus on her expertise and passion in assistive technology. In this episode, she talks about starting out by seeing private clients on the side of her full-time school job, growing her business, and hiring. She found that working with her own clients was more energizing and fulfilling, and her client base grew steadily, leading to a successful transition. Gina Sanfelippo is a pediatric speech therapy private practice owner specializing in assistive communication (AAC), along with providing therapy in areas like early intervention and articulation. She focuses on neurodiversity-affirming and child-led therapy strategies that support the whole person in order to see successful therapy outcomes. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Gina’s journey into private practiceThe fulfillment Gina found by picking her own specialty and working with her own clientsHow quickly and steadily Gina grew her private practiceHow Gina embraced hiring to help balance her workload How school contracts can help keep your options open and increase your incomeWhy setting boundaries can prevent burnout as a business ownerThe grace we all need to have with ourselves, particularly with mistakesThe power of leading with helpfulness How private practice can help you embrace living in the momentI hope you loved this episode with Gina! She is a perfect example of someone who transitioned to a full-time private practice and was able to hire to help balance her workload and allow her to continue coaching basketball, which was important to her. She was then able to protect her boundaries, prevent burnout, and find a better work-life balance.Want our help to start or grow your private practice in a strategic and profitable way - just like we helped Gina, please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Gina’s website: https://www.bktherapyllc.com/Follow Gina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bees_knees_speech_therapyWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice so that you can provide more personalized care for your ideal clients and have more work-life balance? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Lexey Pruitt, a Start and Grow Your Private Practice student who started her private practice on the side when living in St. Louis and then moved to Houston and has been building it from there.In this episode, she talks about establishing new connections and marketing herself in a new city, how she receives a lot of referrals through a directory associated with a certification program, and the benefits of being an in-home mobile therapist, which often allows for more personalized care and time for parent coaching. Lexey Pruitt is a certified speech language pathologist, founder of Leading Little Language, LLC, and an NLA-trained clinician. Lexey specializes in early language development and Gestalt Language Processing. After graduating from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Lexey worked in the school system in southern Illinois, where she found her love for early language and working with non-speaking and Autistic children. She initially opened her private practice as a part-time practice by driving to clients' homes and daycares in St. Louis, MO, and the southern Illinois area, after school hours and on summer breaks. Following a move to Houston, TX, Lexey reopened her business as a full-time venture and enjoyed its growth over the last year!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The moment Lexey knew she wanted to pursue private practiceWhat it’s like to start a private practice in a new area The marketing activities Lexey did to grow her practiceThe types of clients that Lexey gets to work with in her private practiceHow Lexey became trained in Gestalt language processingHow having a private practice enabled Lexey to provide coaching to parentsLexey’s goals for growth in the next 6-12 months in her businessHow you can get out of the day-to-day activities by hiring helpHow life-changing the income from your private practice can be I hope you loved this conversation with Lexey! Her story is so inspiring. She is a perfect example of someone who had a goal and made it happen. If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs - just like Lexey - and you want our help to start and grow your private practice,  please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Follow Lexey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadinglittlelanguage/Follow Lexey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadinglittlelanguageNLA-trained clinician registry: https://www.meaningfulspeechregistry.com/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Looking for flexibility and freedom in your life? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! I sat down with Victoria King Erb. She started her private practice during the pandemic in 2020 after she almost left the profession due to high caseloads and difficulty providing children with quality services. I got to know Victoria during her time in the Start and Grow Your Private Practice Programs and it has been amazing to watch her start her practice and find the flexibility needed as a new mom and a business owner to successfully be able to grow.In this episode, she talks about expanding her therapy practice, hiring help, getting a physical location, and how she became credentialed with insurance companies to accommodate more clients. Victoria King Erb is a pediatric speech-language pathologist located in Southern California. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Redlands. She’s been an SLP for over 5 years. She started as an SLP in the public schools. Then she started the Start Your Private Practice program during the pandemic and opened her practice in the summer of 2020. She started seeing private clients in the home and transitioned to clinic-based services over a year ago. She has been married for two years to her husband who is a physical therapist and they just had a baby girl this summer. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why Victoria decided to start a private practiceThe clients Victoria serves in her practice When you know it’s time to hire help The insurance credentialing process and how it helps you serve more clientsWhen Victoria knew it was time to grow into a physical location The possibilities available when you have your own private practiceThe flexibility private practice gives you How Victoria plans to grow her private practice in the near future I hope you loved this conversation with Victoria! She is a perfect example of someone who started small but was slowly able to expand her services all while juggling a move, maternity leave, and motherhood. She now has the flexibility and financial freedom she strived for all while providing high-quality services to children and their families. If you want our help to start or grow your private practice (just like we've helped Victoria!) please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Victoria’s website: https://www.kingspeechtherapyservices.com/Follow Victoria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/king.speech.therapy/?hl=enWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Is your work impacting your mental health? You’re not alone. In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Renée Bruder to talk about how starting a private practice allowed her to finally start prioritizing her own mental health and self-care.I got to know Renée during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program where it’s been amazing to watch her practice grow to be exactly what she needs. In this episode, she talks about her mental health, how she’s embraced the neurodiversity movement and shifted her practice to work more with autistic children and Gestalt Language Processors, and her goals of expanding her income streams, hiring, and moving to a larger office space.If you’ve been thinking about starting or growing a private practice and want to make sure you're prioritizing your health in the process, this is a must-listen episode!Renée Bruder is a pediatric speech language pathologist and owner of Heyday Speech & Language Therapy just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She began her practice a little over a year ago with the goal of creating the work-life balance she so desperately needed. Her practice mission is to be committed to providing effective therapy services using a child-led, play-based approach that values and honors each child's strengths while providing support and guidance toward authentic and meaningful communication. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Renée’s journey into speech and why she decided to start a private practiceThe impact her career had on her mental health The types of clients that Renée works with in her private practiceHow Renée was finally able to prioritize self-care with her private practiceWhy private practice is a great option for neurodiverse individuals Why Renée decided to take a neurodiversity-affirming approach in her private practiceHow she plans to grow her private practice in the futureTips for marketing your private practiceThe momentum that builds when you start growing your practiceI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Renée! She is a perfect example of someone who didn't let herself stay stuck in a position or a role that wasn't serving her, and instead created a life and a career for herself that is supportive and flexible, which is not only helping her but helping her clients too.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit the Heydey Speech website: https://www.heydayspeech.com/Follow Heydey Speech on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heydayspeechslp/Follow Heydey Speech on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heydayspeechWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Wondering if you should start a private practice so that you can have more flexibility for your family? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories!I sat down with Krista Jones to discuss how she did just that. She started her private practice after realizing that the long hours and low pay for her job weren’t enough for her family. I’ve gotten to know Krista during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program and it has been amazing to watch her take off and truly build a practice that she loves while having the income and time flexibility that her family needs.In this episode she talks about where she gets most of her referrals- hint: it’s a great strategy for pediatric clinicians! She also discusses what she’s doing with her clinic space and her plans to hire additional staff so that her clinic can run without her so that she can focus on other aspects of her business and still be there for her family. Krista was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Georgia in August 2022. She started her SLP journey as a CF in an outpatient clinic treating individuals across the lifespan, however, the majority of her caseload was "late talkers" ages 0-3. After 2 years at the clinic, she transitioned to an elementary school in order to spend more time with her children. Krista always knew she wanted to eventually open her own speech clinic, and when she and her family moved to GA, the opportunity presented itself! She started offering free speech and language screenings to preschools and just recently opened her brick-and-mortar! She is looking forward to hiring soon and growing her practice.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Krista’s experience as an SLP and why she decided private practice was right for herHow Krista began to grow her caseload for her private practiceWhere she gets most of her referralsThe clinic Krista opened in order to help even more patientsHow Krista decided how much clinic space she needed for her future visionThe flexibility you get with your private practice to be with your familyThe tragic circumstances that lit a fire under Krista to make her private practice dream a realityKrista’s plans for the future of her private practiceI hope you loved this episode with Krista! She is a perfect example of someone who knew that she was stuck in a job that wasn't supporting her and that in order for things to change, she needed to make a change. And just like Krista, you can do this too.If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs - just like we supported Krista, please visit https://independentclinician.com/learn-with-jena/.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Krista’s website: www.sweettalkersga.comFollow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweettalkersga/Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Have you ever dreamed of starting a private practice that brought in six figures? When many people think of starting their own private practice, they think of it as a side income, but it doesn’t have to be. You can grow it as much or as little as you want. In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with one of my Start Your Private Practice students, Samantha Asher, to talk about how she grew her private practice to six figures while only working 3 days a week. She is able to support her family financially with her private practice and also be there for her kids every day. Samantha Asher, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and the CEO of Green Light Speech and Language Services, LLC. Green Light specializes in providing effective feeding, language, and speech therapy that children genuinely enjoy. Samantha built Green Light on the principles of responsive feeding and parent-child-therapist collaboration. Samantha also develops and shares content about responsive feeding and therapy strategies through her Instagram page @greenlightspeechtherapy. Outside of the speech world, Samantha is a loving, happy wife and mother. She has two young children and a large rescue pup.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The tremendous need for private practicesWhy it’s completely normal to be nervousThe benefits of having a community of people on the same journeyHow Samantha managed her private practice while moving to a new stateHow to know it’s time to take your private practice full-timeWhy it’s okay to ask for reviewsHiring team membersSamantha’s plans for her private practice moving forwardWe all want the time to spend with our families while still providing for them. Starting your private practice is the first step to creating the life you want. It is totally possible to make a full-time income while only working part-time hours, and Samantha is proof of that. She was able to build a six-figure private practice while only working three days a week and taking her daughter to ballet class. The possibilities really are endless. If you are inspired by Samantha’s story, the programs she did were the Start Your Private Practice program and the Grow Your Private Practice program. To learn more about how we support SLPs and OTs just like Samantha, visit www.IndependentClinician.com to learn more about our free and paid programs.Resources Mentioned: Check out Samantha’s website: https://www.greenlightspeechtherapy.comFollow Green Light Speech Therapy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenlightspeechtherapy/Follow Green Light Speech Therapy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenLightSpeechTherapyWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Do you dream of growing a large private practice with multiple clients? This episode of Private Practice Success Stories is for you! I sat down to chat with Dr. Jennifer Moore. She is a renowned speech-language pathologist and the proud co-owner of a thriving multidisciplinary private practice in northern New Jersey. Jen started her private practice on the side of her regular job. She started small, like we all do. Once she realized how many kids needed help in her area, her practice grew and expanded quickly. She now co-owns Brave Wings Therapy with Naomi Sutton. During our conversation, she talked about the baby steps that she took along the way to grow from solo to having 55 employees and two locations. She shares about her hiring process and how she cultivates both happy employees and happy clients.She also shares one of the biggest secrets to getting more referrals, and hint: you can do this too! This episode is truly a delight, and whether you're at the very beginning of your private practice journey, or you have an existing private practice and you're looking for hints on how to grow it, this episode has major gems that are worth listening to. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The road that led to private practice for Jenn and how she got startedThe importance of going where your heart is in your careerDefining what success means to you in your private practiceThe ways that Jenn makes her private practice more accessible to familiesHow hiring different specialists grew her private practiceHow Jenn cultivates an open and happy culture in her private practiceThe hiring process and how to attract people that align with your visionWhere Jenn gets her referrals and clients The power of leading with helpfulness How having a private practice can impact your familyDr. Jennifer Moore truly embodies the spirit of passion, dedication, and collaboration. It's so inspiring to see how her journey intertwines professional excellence with personal values. She's doing exactly what she loves to do in helping so many people in the process!Want help to start your private practice? I'm offering a Free Training called How to Start Seeing Private Clients.There are two days/times to pick from- Sunday, November 5th at 3 pm EST and Monday, November 6th at 8 pm EST. To register, just visit: StartYourPrivatePractice.com/livetrainingWhether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit the Brave Wings Therapy website: https://www.bravewingstherapy.com/Follow Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmoorespeech/?hl=enWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Looking for more flexibility for your family and career fulfillment? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories. I sat down with Jessie Kensey, a Start and Grow Your Private Practice program student. Jessie decided to start her own private practice as a speech language pathologist, in order to have more flexibility and time with her family, especially after her son was born. In this episode, Jessie and I discuss ways for her to grow her practice, including expanding her online presence and hiring additional clinicians, which would allow her to serve more clients and generate more income.Jesse's story shares the incredible transformations that can happen when you follow your passions and seek a more fulfilling path, and I know you’re going to love it! Jessie founded Simply Speech Therapy to make meaningful changes in her clients' lives by supporting the goals that matter most to them. She celebrates her clients' unique interests, preferences, and strengths while helping them communicate successfully at home, school, and out in the community.Prior to becoming a master's level clinician, she also taught high school English and worked as a speech-language pathology assistant. In her free time, Jessie enjoys traveling, running, and reading. As a new mother, she also loves spending time with her family and making lasting memories! In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When Jessie knew that private practice was right for herThe flexibility you get when you have a private practiceTips for finding clients through referralsWays to use your website to grow your private practiceThe tremendous need for private practicesThe boundaries you can set as a private practice ownerThe ability you have to work with the clients you’re passionate about in your private practiceI hope Jessie’s story inspires you to get started on your own private practice journey! Just like Jessie, we would love to support you in starting and growing your private practice. Visit StartYourPrivatePractice.com and GrowYourPrivatePractice.com to learn how to get started. Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit Jessie’s website: https://www.simplyspeechtherapy.org/Follow Jessie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyspeech_Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Interested in offering innovative therapy services in your own private practice? You’re going to love this episode! I sat down with Mary Hadley, a Start and Grow program student, to discuss how she took the leap into private practice after facing a pivotal moment in her career. Now, she’s offering a very innovative therapy model for teens who need help with social communication.Join us as Mary discusses how being in private practice has given her career fulfillment, flexibility for her family, and financial success as she’s earning significantly more than she was as a school SLP. Y’all, Mary was considering leaving the profession, but starting a private practice helped her turn things around. This is a can’t-miss episode! Mary is a highly experienced, certified speech-language pathologist and founder of Signpost Speech and Language Therapy. She specializes in evaluating and treating social communication and executive functioning issues for children, adolescents, and adults. In Today's Episode, We Discuss:When Mary realized she wanted to start a private practiceThe immense need for speech private practices The earning potential as a private practice ownerTips for overcoming imposter syndromeHow Mary’s private practice is set up to allow time for her family How her private practice is growing Mary’s plans for the future of her private practiceTips for managing taxes and accounting for your private practiceWhy you don’t need social media for your business if you don’t want itI hope you loved this conversation with Mary! Her determination to find balance, stay true to herself, and build a thriving private practice is truly inspiring. She's a shining example of someone who decided to take control of her destiny and accomplished something truly amazing! Her innovative approach to working with kids with social communication deficits in after-school programs is so, so cool. Want to learn how to grow your private practice and expand your income by offering innovative therapy services? Come join the Grow Your Private Practice Program! To learn more, please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com.Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned: Visit the Signpost Speech website: https://www.signpostspeech.com/Follow Mary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SignpostspeechVisit the Ensemble Therapy website: https://www.ensembletherapy.com/social-communication-groupsWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/