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 practices
• The 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 owner
• One 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 practice
• The one thing you need to remember if you are waiting for your kids to be older before you start your private practice

I 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/id1374716199

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

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Register for the "See Clients This Summer" Free Training Event --> www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.com