Do you have a specific end goal for your private practice, but aren’t really sure how to get there? This episode is perfect for you!

I sat down with Heather Anderson, a speech-language pathologist with a private practice in Monroe, Michigan. Heather started out as a medical SLP, later became a pediatric SLP to start her own private practice, and now sees all ages through her practice, Your Voice Speech Therapy. 

I helped Heather get started through the Start Your Private Practice Program. As her business took off, she leveled up to the Grow Your Private Practice Program, which has helped her create a thriving practice doing what she loves.

In this episode, Heather shares what it was like starting her practice on the side of a full-time job, why she pivoted to pediatric services, and how that flexibility eventually allowed her to get back to her zone of genius and experience huge growth. 

Heather graduated from The University of Toledo in 2016 with a Master of Arts. Her first exposure to speech pathology was as a junior in high school in 2008. While looking through possible majors at The University of Toledo, the title of speech-language pathology instantly caught her attention. Her mother recommended shadowing a speech-language pathologist at the hospital where she worked, and after taking her advice, decided after just one hour that it was the career for her.

After graduation, Heather began working in a transitional care setting (a segway from acute care into a skilled nursing facility). While working in transitional care, she also worked in acute care at Toledo Hospital, where she learned valuable information for evaluating and treating strokes (in the neuro ICU), dysphagia, cognitive disorders, tracheostomies, motor vehicle accidents, and traumatic brain injuries. She also became certified to perform swallow studies (MBSImP certified).

Heather then went into an outpatient pediatric setting while conducting swallow studies for acute care patients and outpatients. From there, she worked in skilled nursing settings in which she worked heavily with voicing disorders, dysphagia, dementia care, memory impairments, and more. Heather became a Certified Dementia Practitioner while working in skilled nursing and has expertise working in specialized Alzhiemer's/dementia care facilities. She has since continued working in acute care and skilled nursing settings but has always dreamed of owning a private practice.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Heather’s background and how she got into SLP
• What motivated Heather to start her own practice on the side of her job
• What helped her take the leap to enter a school contract
• A look into the networking opportunities that came with pursuing her own practice
•  The reality of pivoting your vision to serve the community
• How the Start and Grow programs helped Heather get back to her zone of genius
• The power of becoming the one that people refer to

I hope you find Heather’s story inspiring! If you've been thinking about starting a private practice on the side of your job to have the flexibility for your family that Heather strived for, be sure to tune in!

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: 

Connect with Heather on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Your-Voice-Speech-Therapy-YVST-107991818564164/

Follow Heather’s new Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvoicest/

Check out Heather’s website: https://www.yourvoicest.com/

Where We Can Connect: 

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/