Welcome back to another Episode of Empower LEP Podcast!

I am beyond excited  because I got to sit down with the incredible Misty Bonta from Get Psyched! If you’ve been listening for a while, you might remember Misty from about a year ago when she was just starting her private practice. Well, let me tell you—she’s been absolutely crushing it!

In this episode, Misty takes us through her journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. She opens up about her past, including some really tough experiences in high school that ignited her passion for mental health. She knew even back then that she wanted to be the supportive, understanding adult that she wished she had during those years.

Fast forward to today, and Misty is running a thriving private practice, diving into Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), collaborating with parents, and expanding her reach through workshops and trainings. And get this—she’s even working toward becoming a Non-Public Agency (NPA) so she can support school districts in a bigger way! She’s a little nervous about the leap, but honestly, I have zero doubt that she’s going to make it happen.

Oh, and here’s something so cool—Misty is writing a children’s book about mental health, told through the eyes of her beloved dog! 🐶📖  I cannot wait to read it!

Misty’s story is one of resilience, passion, and the power of believing in yourself. I left this conversation feeling so inspired, and I know you will too!

If you want to connect with Misty, you can find her at GetPsychedInc.com or reach out to her at [email protected]. And if you're a school psychologist (or just love being part of a great community), be sure to join her Facebook group, "Life and Times of a School Psychologist."

Before you go—don’t forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win an hour of mentorship with me! ⭐ I can’t wait to see who wins!

Until next time 💛

Connect with Empower LEP:

Website: https://www.empowerlep.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep 

In this Episode of Empower LEP,   I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Carla Titus, the founder and CEO of Wealth & Worth Within.

Carla is a fractional CFO who specializes in supporting group practices, and let me tell you—she knows her stuff when it comes to the financial side of running a business. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by pricing, budgeting, or even knowing what kind of financial support you need (bookkeeper? accountant? CFO?), this conversation is for you!

We covered so much in this episode, including:
✨ The key financial roles that can support your practice as you grow
✨ How to set up pricing and compensation in a way that makes sense
✨ Why having financial guidance (even for a one-time setup) can be a game-changer

One of my biggest takeaways? Getting financial support isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about feeling empowered in your business. Carla broke it all down in such a clear and practical way, and I know her advice will be incredibly helpful for anyone navigating the financial side of private practice.

If you’ve been stressing about money, pricing, or how to set your business up for long-term success, Carla and her team at Wealth & Worth Within can help. They make finances feel way less intimidating and so much more manageable.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Be sure to connect with Carla and her team, check out their website, and of course, subscribe to the Empower LEP podcast so you never miss an episode.

Until next time—happy listening!

Connect with Empower LEP:

Website: https://www.empowerlep.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep 

Hi Empowered LEPs! It’s me, Jana, for this solo episode, and I’m diving into a topic that’s both super important and sometimes misunderstood: our scope of practice as licensed educational psychologists.

Before we get into it, I’ve got to share how much my mentorship group means to me. It’s such a privilege to connect with aspiring and practicing LEPs, and it honestly keeps me motivated to continue sharing what I’ve learned. You all inspire me every day.

Now, let’s talk about the scope of practice. It’s one of those things we all need to get crystal clear on—especially if you’re out on your own in private practice, making all those big decisions. I’ll walk you through what’s outlined in the California Business and Professions Code so you can feel confident you’re staying within your lane and making ethical choices.

Here’s what I’ll cover in this episode:

• The unique strengths we bring as LEPs, like our school-based experience and ability to support academic success.
• The specific areas we’re trained to handle, including educational evaluation, diagnosing learning-related disorders, counseling, consultation, and intervention coordination.
• Why it’s so important to stay focused on our psychoeducational expertise and avoid crossing into areas like medical diagnoses.

This episode is all about helping you feel empowered to embrace your role and use your expertise to make a difference.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas! If you’re enjoying the podcast, leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts—it also gets you entered into a mentorship session giveaway with me. And don’t hesitate to reach out anytime at [email protected] if you have questions or suggestions for future topics.

Thanks for tuning in—let’s keep supporting and empowering each other!

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

In this solo episode, Jana opens by sharing her heartfelt concern for those affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California. With family in the impacted areas, she offers her empathy and support to everyone navigating this tragedy.

Shifting the focus, Jana dives into the importance of finding passion and inspiration in one’s work. She reflects on her own transformative journey, describing how she moved from a life fueled by dissatisfaction to one driven by purpose and joy—even though it required embracing greater risks and vulnerabilities.

Along the way, Jana also shares the pivotal role that administrative support has played in her business. By delegating tasks like managing the intake process, she’s been able to increase her productivity while reducing the stress of constantly monitoring leads and phone calls. She highlights the importance of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain consistency, particularly when transitioning between support staff.

Finally, Jana recommends two insightful books: Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf and The Collapse of Parenting by Dr. Leonard Sax. These recommendations reflect her dedication to personal growth and professional development.

🎧 Listen to Episode 54 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, for a chance to win a 1:1 session with Jana!

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this solo episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana celebrates two major milestones: the five-year anniversary of her practice, Mind by Design, and the one-year anniversary of the podcast. Some notable achievements for the practice include a 51% growth rate, reaching seven-figure revenue, and doubling her team. For Empower LEP, the growth and expansion included launching new courses and mentorship programs.

Along the way, Jana discusses working with other professionals to benefit from their expertise. She also shares her challenges, like finding the right administrative support, building effective systems, and balancing the demands of leadership with personal well-being.

Finally, Jana shares what she’s planning to focus on in 2025 after the lessons she learned in 2024.

This episode is a peek behind the curtain of what it’s like to run a successful practice as an education psychologist.

🎧 Listen to Episode 53 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a colleague!

Coaching with Scott Robson starts on January 9th. Join Overwhelm to Impact: Your LEP Roadmap to Independence
 
https://www.empowerlep.com/coachscott
Use code GOALS25 to save $50


Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana sits down with Meredith Eaton and Becca Marcus from Move Forward Virtual Assistants, a company on a mission to free mental health professionals from the administrative grind.

As Jana comes up on the 5-year anniversary of her practice, she shares the challenges of administrative work. Things like setting up systems, doing intake calls, getting people scheduled, following up with people who she didn't hear back from, getting clients to fill out their paperwork, and sending them their Super Bill can take up significant time and energy.

CEO and Executive Director of Client Experience, Meredith and Becca share how their team supports therapists, psychologists, and group practices to let them focus on their expertise.

Jana’s conversation highlights the importance of delegating tasks, trusting your team, and building a business that supports your life rather than consumes it.

Whether you’re thinking about starting a side business as an LEP, already have a busy private practice, or are curious about the kinds of administrative support available, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you build your practice.

🎧 Listen to Episode 52 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a colleague who needs to hear this!

Connect with Move Forward Virtual Assistants:
Website: moveforwardvirtualassistants.com 
Instagram: instagram.com/moveforwardVAs
Facebook: facebook.com/MoveForwardVAs
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/move-forward-virtual-assistants

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana chats with Dr. Jeremy Greene, a school psychologist and LEP whose journey has taken him from Sacramento to Shanghai and back. Jeremy shares how his natural ability to connect with people and offer guidance led him into school psychology, and he opens up about the pivotal role mentors played as he was starting out.

Jeremy takes us inside his time working overseas at an international school in Shanghai, where he faced the challenge of building special education support into a system that looked very different from what we’re used to here. Without IEPs or strict compliance rules, he leaned into trust, creativity, and relationships to help students succeed. He reflects on how those experiences shaped his approach to education, showing the power of honoring students’ strengths, voices, and identities—no matter the setting.

Jana and Jeremy also get real about the pressures school psychologists face, including burnout and the desire to explore opportunities beyond the traditional school system. Jeremy’s passion for student advocacy and his vision for systemic change shines through as he shares insights from his recent doctorate work and his hopes for the future of education.

If you’re an LEP, a school psychologist, or someone curious about the many ways you can make a meaningful impact in students’ lives, this conversation will leave you inspired and re-energized. Jeremy’s honesty and warmth are a refreshing reminder that there are so many ways to show up, grow, and keep the work fulfilling.

Listen to Episode 51 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this one with a friend who needs to hear it!

Connect with Jeremy Greene:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.jeremydgreene.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackcaesar777/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.d.greene
Ted Talk Episode: https://youtu.be/dWzBWToX4cg?si=2MoHONcY2jllh-2Z
University of the Pacific 2024 Black Grad Celebration: https://youtu.be/XmMZsO5AnVY?si=8nLHy5UXIvoE_5lM

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this milestone 50th episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana welcomes Scott Robson back to the program. Scott is a transformative coach who’s all about helping entrepreneurs learn and grow through big career moves and life changes. Join them for a candid and inspiring conversation about what it really takes to step into leadership, tackle self-doubt, and make confident decisions when the stakes feel high.

Scott introduces the concept of a "courage-based plan"—a way to set goals that allow for flexibility while encouraging bold, meaningful action. He and Jana talk about the importance of getting out of the planning phase and into the “doing” phase, especially for anyone thinking about private practice, switching careers, or making a bigger impact in their current role.

If we’ve learned one thing after 50 episodes, it’s that the leap from school psychologist to business owner can be daunting. Scott offers practical tips for overcoming common roadblocks like perfectionism and fear of failure that can get in the way of your goals. We’ve all been there, but it’s about learning to trust yourself and taking tangible steps, even if they feel a little scary. 

Scott also highlights his program for LEPs, From Overwhelm to Impact, which is designed to help professionals chart a path for progress in their LEP career, whatever that might look like for them. If you’re ready to make a big move—or just want to explore what’s next—this episode is packed with ideas and encouragement. Curious about Scott’s program? You can find all the details at empowerlep.com/coachscott. To save $50 on our January coaching series with Coach Scott, use code GOALS25.

This is a must-listen for school psychologists, LEPs, and anyone ready to shift toward something bigger and more fulfilling. Find Episode 50 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need a little inspiration!

Connect with Scott Robson:
Website: https://scottrobson.net/
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, Jana has an inspiring conversation with Dr. Ray Christner, a psychologist and school psychologist who has spent his career making a real difference in the lives of kids, families, and educators. With decades of experience in both large group practices and smaller, more personalized private work, Ray shares his journey and some of the biggest lessons he’s learned along the way.

Ray talks about the power of mentorship in shaping his career and why it’s such a vital part of professional growth. He also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming assessment tool, the Christner Behavior and Adaptability System (C-BAAS)—a project designed to provide meaningful, practical insights for families and educators. His thoughts on writing clear, parent-friendly reports are full of helpful tips for anyone in the field.

Dr. Christner doesn’t just stop at his professional achievements; he shares his unique perspective on balancing the demands of a multi-faceted career while staying grounded in his purpose of helping others. They explore his thoughts on the evolving role of school psychologists and LEPs, and he offers valuable advice for those transitioning into private practice or broadening their scope of work.

One of the most moving moments comes when Ray reflects on an unexpected encounter with an inmate who pushed him toward school psychology. It’s a story about finding purpose and staying true to your values, even when the path isn’t always clear. Throughout the episode, Ray shares honest advice about building a career that feels impactful and rewarding.

This episode is packed with relatable stories, real-world advice, and plenty of inspiration for school psychologists, LEPs, or anyone passionate about helping kids and families. Ray’s energy and love for what he does will leave you feeling motivated and ready to take on your next chapter.

Listen to Episode 49 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’d love this conversation!

Connect with Dr. Ray Christner
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.drraychristner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ray.christner.33
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drraychristner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ray-w-christner-psy-d-ncsp-abpp-639b4533/

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, I sit down with Sam Young, M.Ed., the incredible founder and Head of School at Young Scholars Academy. Sam has built something truly special—a virtual enrichment school designed to help twice-exceptional, gifted, and neurodivergent students feel understood, supported, and genuinely excited about learning.

Sam brings such an inspiring perspective to this conversation, shaped by his own experiences as a neurodivergent person and his dedication to flipping the script on traditional education. He shares the journey of starting Young Scholars Academy, including how the challenges of the pandemic pushed him to create a space where students’ unique strengths and talents could shine. We talk about how his academy is redefining what education can be by offering innovative courses, camps, and a community that truly celebrates what makes each student special.

Our conversation explores some big questions—how do we create spaces where kids feel safe enough to explore their potential? Why is focusing on strengths so important? And what does it take to step out of the box and build something meaningful, whether that’s in education or your own career? Sam also opens up about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

This is such a great episode for educators, LEPs, parents, and anyone who’s passionate about supporting unique learners. Sam’s story is proof that with creativity, connection, and a lot of heart, we can make a real difference.

Listen to Episode 48 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. If you enjoy the conversation, I’d love it if you’d subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps us reach even more people who care about making an impact!

Connect with Sam Young:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YSAENRICHMENT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/young_scholars_academ

Connect with Empower LEP:
https://empowerlep.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerLEP/
and the Empower LEP Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583676341308649

The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you more inspiring stories for LEPs and supporting professionals.