In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin is joined by Melanie Peacock Shell to explore the deep shift from being a “therapist” to becoming a Certified Pediatric Feeding Therapist (CPFT). Melanie pulls back the curtain on the "hidden gem" of the Pediatric Feeding Hub, sharing how advanced mentorship and a community of experts can turn clinical overwhelm into streamlined, interdisciplinary success.

They dive into the "gut-brain-plate" connection, discussing how gut health, sensory processing, and even sleep are the quiet drivers behind feeding challenges. If you’ve ever felt humbled by a complex case, this episode will show you how to lean into your community and use a holistic lens to finally see the results your families deserve.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• ✔️ The CPFT Edge: How advanced certification shifts your clinical perspective and improves patient outcomes.
• ✔️ The Gut-Brain Connection: Why understanding a child’s gut health is non-negotiable for solving "sensory" feeding issues.
• ✔️ Power in Numbers: The role of the Pediatric Feeding Hub in providing the mentorship and collaboration needed to survive private practice.
• ✔️ The Holistic Evaluation: Integrating nutrition, sleep, and family dynamics into your therapy plan rather than just focusing on the "bite."
• ✔️ Navigating Referrals: How to build an interdisciplinary "dream team" to support a child’s developmental needs simultaneously.
• ✔️ Overcoming the "Humble" Phase: Dealing with the realization that there is always more to learn—and why that makes you a better therapist.

KEY TAKEAWAYS & SOUND BITES

"This thing humbled me big time. Pursuing advanced certification isn't about knowing it all; it's about having the tools to figure out the 'why' behind the 'what'."

"It all starts with nutrition. If the gut isn't happy and the child isn't sleeping, we are just spinning our wheels at the table."

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 251: You’re Worth The Time and Investment with Melanie Peacock Shell, MEd, CCC-SLP
• Why Feeding Therapy Needs a Whole-Body Lens

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

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Ready to step into certification? Learn more here

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