Beyond the Big Agencies

What happens when your private practice is growing—but your physical space isn’t?

In this episode of Beyond the Big Agencies, Elise Mitchell sits down with Dani Gaff to talk about how school contracting became a natural next step in the growth of her private practice.

Dani shares her journey from clinician to business owner, including why she began exploring school contracts, what it looked like to bring other providers into her business, and how contracting created opportunities to expand without simply adding more clinic space.

Elise and Dani also dig into the mindset side of business growth—the fear that can come with taking on something new, learning to advocate for your rates and contract terms, and continually realigning as your business evolves.

They also discuss the importance of strong provider relationships and why creating a business where therapists genuinely want to work has become such an important part of Dani’s vision.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How Dani moved from private practice into school contracting
• Using school contracts to grow beyond the limitations of clinic space
• Navigating the school contracting landscape in Indiana
• Why Dani wanted to begin hiring other providers
• Building strong relationships with therapists and contractors
• Developing confidence around pricing, negotiation, and advocacy
• The mindset shift from treating provider to business owner
• Managing fear and uncertainty as your business grows
• Dani’s vision for the next stage of her practice

Resources

The Therapist Support Network Checklist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/checklist

The Messy SLP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themessyslp/

In this episode of Beyond the Big Agencies, Elise sits down with her oldest son, Hayden, for a candid conversation about what it was actually like growing up while she built her career and eventually her business.

They talk about the things Hayden remembers from those early years, what working from home meant for their family, how he viewed Elise’s career growth, and whether the mom guilt so many women carry actually matched his experience as her child.

Hayden also shares how watching his mom work, grow, take risks, and continually raise the standard influenced his own views on discipline, success, and progression.

For any mom who has ever wondered, Am I working too much? Are my kids going to resent this? Am I missing something I can’t get back? — this conversation offers a perspective we don’t hear nearly enough: the child’s.

In this episode, Mindy and Rachelle share their journey from school-based clinicians to successful private practice owners, focusing on contracting with schools and developing innovative speech therapy programs like Snappy Speech. They discuss the benefits of partnership, managing burnout, and supporting community needs through sustainable models.

Resources:

Achieve Speech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/achievespeechslp

Snappy Speech on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SnappySpeechByAchieve

School Contracting Tools: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

Summary

In this episode, Grace Kratosky shares her journey from traditional employment to building her own contracting business in the therapy field, highlighting the benefits of flexibility, military spouse considerations, and the importance of community and collaboration.

Key Topics

• Transition from traditional employment to contracting
• Benefits of contracting for military spouses
• Building and managing a therapy team
• The importance of community and collaboration
• Virtual therapy and overcoming pushback

References

Hello Therapy: https://www.instagram.com/hellotherapyllc/

The Therapist Support Network Contracting Tools: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

Disclosures

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

In this engaging interview, Jessica shares her journey of building Little Sparks, her intentional approach to contracting in the school space, and the importance of valuing providers. Discover insights on business strategy, mindset shifts, and how to create a flexible, provider-centered contracting business.

Key Topics

• Business strategy for therapy contracting
• Mindset shifts from employee to business owner
• Valuing providers and setting rates
• Navigating school contracts and payments
• Expanding into new states and markets

Disclosures

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

Resources

Little Sparks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlesparksspeechtherapy/

The Therapist Support Network Contracting Tools/Materials: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

In this episode, Elise Mitchell welcomes Ellie Richter, a virtual speech therapist and contractor, to discuss the realities of virtual contracting with schools, building relationships, and navigating industry challenges. They explore strategies for success, the importance of niche specialization, and future trends in teletherapy.

Key Topics:

• Virtual contracting with schools
• Building and nurturing relationships for long-term contracts
• The importance of niche specialization in teletherapy
• Industry challenges and future trends in virtual speech therapy

Resources:

Ellie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theessentialteletherapist/

Elise's Resources: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

FREE School Contracting Checklist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/checklist

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before

On this episode of Beyond the Big Agencies, Elise Mitchell and Daj Mitchell discuss the journey of coaching, public speaking for SLPs, leveraging AI, and building a successful online business. They share insights on niching, overcoming challenges, and creating revenue streams through speaking engagements and professional development.

Daj Speaker Accelerator https://co-treatcorner.myflodesk.com/speakerwaitlist

Daj Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourslpdaj/

School Contracting Resources: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Denning, founder of Renew Allied, a therapist-owned contracting company that has grown from a private practice into a multi-state business working with schools.

Melissa shares what it actually looked like to transition out of traditional clinical work and into building a business that supports both therapists and schools—without compromising on pay, ethics, or quality of care.

We talk through the real decisions behind growth:

when to raise your rates, when to hire, how to approach negotiations, and what it takes to step into RFPs with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered what scaling a therapy business actually looks like behind the scenes—this conversation pulls it back.

Melissa’s journey from private practice to building Renew Allied

How pricing decisions impact long-term sustainability

What therapists get wrong about negotiations (and how to fix it)

The turning point that led her to start hiring and scaling

How to approach RFPs without overcomplicating the process

The role of consistency and sales in building a stable business

Why investing in systems and support changes everything

Melissa's Instagram: @RenewAllied

The Therapist Support Network Resources: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

Summary:

Elise Mitchell discusses how therapy business owners can build a stable, resilient business by diversifying revenue streams. She introduces the three pillars of stability—consistent cash flow, fast cash, and premium offers—and explains how to implement them effectively in school contracting and private practice.

References:

5 Revenue Stream Mini-Course: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/offers/srjxU2Rk/checkout

1:1 Revenue Stream Intensive: https://calendly.com/schoolcontractor/revenuestreams

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

Legal Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

Episode Summary

Many school-based providers reach a crossroads at some point in their career:

👉 Do I work through a staffing agency?

👉 Or do I contract directly with schools?

In this episode, Elise breaks down the real differences between agency contracting and direct contracting, including pay, autonomy, responsibility, and long-term growth potential. You’ll walk away with clarity on which model fits your goals, season of life, and risk tolerance — and how to think about your next move.

1. Agencies can be a great starting point
2. Direct contracting creates long-term leverage
3. You can move from agency → direct when you’re ready
4. Understanding both models helps you make strategic choices

The FREE School Contractor Checklist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/checklist

The School Contractor Training and Packet: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/training-and-packet

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.