Private Practice Success Stories

Want to make more money and work fewer hours? My guests in today’s episode are doing just that!

Brandie Johnson and Alyssa Fittipaldi are alums of the Start Your Private Practice program, who join me during this episode to share their experiences and insights on how they transition from traditional job settings to owning their own practices. 

Brandie is a speech-language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in the Portland, Oregon area. She started her private practice called Growing Roots, only having two and a half years of experience as an SLP. Even though she's early in her career, she is thriving in private practice. 

Alyssa is a speech-language pathologist in the Tampa Bay area, and she started her private practice called Talk to Talk Pediatric Therapy after discovering the independent clinician Instagram and also this podcast. Alyssa realized that she could start her private practice sooner than she thought, so she started seeing private clients on the side and quickly grew her clientele.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The benefits Brandie and Alyssa gain from owning their practices
• What they wish they had known sooner about starting a private practice
• A look into how taking insurance works
• Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome
• How you can conduct therapy that aligns with your values

If you've been wanting to start seeing private clients and want to get started ASAP, this episode is perfect for you! I know you’ll relate to what Brandie and Alyssa have to share. 

If you are ready to get going and want some help, enrollment for the Start Your Private Practice Program is now OPEN. Visit www.Startyourprivatepractice.com to learn more and enroll.

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: 

Enroll now for the Start Your Private Practice Program: www.Startyourprivatepractice.com 

Check out Brandie’s website: https://www.growingrootstherapy.com/

Check out Alyssa’s website: https://www.tttpediatrictherapy.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/

Mentioned in this episode:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Have you been thinking about seeing your own clients to earn extra money this year? If the answer is yes, this episode of Private Practice Success Stories is for you!

Starting my private practice was one of the most transformative decisions of my life. In addition to a $24k raise, it brought about immense satisfaction to me and my clients and also saved me from the grips of burnout, something that you might be able to relate to. 

In this episode, I’m sharing how I started my private practice, and how you already have the skills and knowledge to do the same so you can take control of your career and financial freedom.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The story of how I earned an extra $24k in addition to my hospital salary
• Why relying solely on budgeting isn’t enough
• How learning to earn more money is your best strategy for financial empowerment

Seeing private clients allowed me to build a financial safety net for my family, and it was the best decision I ever made. I hope this episode inspired you to take the next step in your own journey to further your financial freedom!

Want help to plan a private practice that can help YOU earn $24,000 "on the side?" Please visit: PlanYourPrivatePractice.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: 

Get help planning your private practice: http://www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.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/

Mentioned in this episode:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice in your small town? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! 

I sat down with Gabby Hewitt, a speech language pathologist with a private practice specializing in orofacial myology in a small town in North Dakota. She opened her practice while knowing there was a lack of speech therapy services in her hometown and wanted to fill that gap. 

I got to know Gabby during her time in the Start and Grow Your Private Practice programs and it has been amazing to watch the impact she has had bringing a much-needed service to her rural area.

In this episode, Gabby talks about how she started her practice right out of her CF, how clients find her, why she hired an assistant, and how specializing in feeding and myo has helped clients be drawn to her.

Gabby is an ASHA Certified SLP specializing in orofacial myology, oral myofunctional disorders, and pediatric feeding and swallowing. She is currently in the certification process for becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS), Certified Myofunctional Therapist (CMT®), and Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®). 

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of North Dakota before obtaining her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Gannon University in Ruskin, FL where she was a member of the first-ever graduate SLP program cohort. 

It was in Florida that she discovered and learned about orofacial myology. Following her clinical fellowship, Gabby opened her private practice, UpNorth Therapies, in her hometown of Carrington, North Dakota where she recently just completed a renovation and expansion project of a new clinic space 8 months after opening. 

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How and why Gabby decided to start a private practice so early in her career
• Why work-life balance isn’t just a fantasy with a private practice
• The good you can do for your community when you take control of your life and career
• The key to getting your first clients as a private practice owner in a small town
• The true power of specializing as a private practice owner
• How you can structure your week when you are in charge of your hours
• A look into the impact of hiring help in your private practice
• How the Start and Grow programs helped Gabby grow her business and get more stability
• The power you have to grow at your own pace in your business

I hope you enjoyed this episode with Gabby! She is a perfect example of someone who opened her private practice early on in her career and specialized in a rural area.

If you want our help to start - or grow - your private practice (just like we helped Gabby!) please visit: https://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: 

Follow Gabby on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upnorththerapies/

Visit Gabby’s website: https://www.upnorththerapies.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/

Mentioned in this episode:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Have you ever considered having a nature-based therapy private practice? You’re going to love this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! 

I sat down with Kate Glennon, also known as the "Outdoorsy SLP,”  a speech language pathologist with an innovative private practice in New Hampshire. Kate has created a unique private practice that operates primarily outdoors, providing nature-based therapy to her clients. 

She highlights the benefits of outdoor therapy to improve regulation and connection for both the therapist and the client, as well as the unique language tasks that natural settings can provide.

Kate started her private practice after working in a traditional practice for 12 years. She discusses what it’s like to own a practice, have a deployed husband in the military, and have 3 kids! 

I got to know Kate during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program and it has been amazing to get to reflect on her journey and the factors that led her to develop this unconventional practice model.

Kate has been a practicing SLP for 13 years. Her cumulative experience working in schools, clinics, and teaching at a nature school led her to open a private practice. She is passionate about bringing clinical practice outdoors and into nature. Her nature-based private practice is about to turn one year old.

Kate brings her experience as an SLP and a certified nature educator to her work. She enjoys working across the age span with a variety of communication differences.

Kate strives to bring together her SLP community. She has created a collaborative space for sole practitioners in her area to gather and connect. 

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The true power of nature-based therapy
• How you can branch out and create your own unique private practice as a neurodivergent SLP
• The magic of nature-based therapy and how you’ll know if it’s right for you
• What you need to understand about fear when starting a private practice
• The true power of differentiating yourself from other private practices
• The power you have to make your private practice be whatever you want it to be
• The key to making your private practice work for your family
• What you need to understand when it comes to hiring help in your private practice

I hope you enjoyed this episode with Kate! I love her passion for nature and the positive outcomes she has observed in her clients. She acknowledges the challenges but also the fulfillment that comes from creating a practice that aligns with her values and lifestyle.

To learn more about how we can help you start - or grow - your private practice, please visit: https://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: 

Visit Kate’s website: www.outdoorsySLP.com

Follow Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorsyslp/

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:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Do you struggle with getting stuff done in your private practice? If so, this episode of Private Practice Success Stories is going to be great for you to listen to. 

Julie Pera and Theresa Harp are speech language pathologists who sat down with me to share their experience and insights on the intersection of time management and private practice. 

In this episode, Julie shares her journey in the Grow Your Private Practice Program after transitioning from a public school setting to private practice, driven by a desire for a more manageable workload and better work-life balance. 

Theresa, a Productivity Coach, shares how she combines practical systems with cognitive strategies to help SLPs and OTs feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

If you’ve been thinking about improving your time management and want to implement more effective systems in your private practice, you don’t want to miss this episode! 

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why time management is crucial as a private practice owner
• The impact ADHD can have on your life and business
• The importance of tailoring your time management strategies to support your neurodivergent brain
• The key to sharing your unique gifts with the world
• One simple thing you can do when you are in survival mode and overwhelmed
• The power of working with your brain instead of against it
• The importance of putting self-awareness and taking action into practice
• A professional who can help you take all of those plans and put them into action with accountability 

I hope you enjoyed this episode with Juile and Theresa! I love their encouragement to other private practitioners to take proactive steps, seek support, and integrate work and life in a balanced and fulfilling way. 

To learn more about how we can support you and your private practice journey, please visit: https://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: 

Learn more about how we can support you in your private practice journey: https://independentclinician.com/resources/

Join Theresa’s Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slpsupportgroup

Listen to Theresa’s podcast: https://theresaharp.com/podcast

Visit Julie’s website: https://www.manygiftstherapy.com/

Follow Julie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manygiftstherapy

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:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Have you ever thought about starting a non-traditional private practice or offering social events for your clients? Then this episode of Private Practice Success Stories is for you! 

I sat down with Barbara Earley and April Lowe who co-own a very innovative private practice in Georgia called Social EdVentures, which includes small group social outings for teenagers and young adults with varied diagnoses and abilities. 

In this interview, they discuss how they started off very informally - with a small group outing at a bowling alley - which quickly expanded to include regular social outings for young adults and adolescents with diverse needs, ranging from typical college students to non-verbal individuals using AAC devices.

In this episode, Barbara and April describe their program's evolution, the value that the participants get from the outings, and the importance of real-world learning and social skill development. They even discuss a connection to the popular Netflix series, Love on the Spectrum!

As two speech therapists, driven by a passion for fostering social connections and self-reliance in our clients, Social EdVentures was created. We started with a small group of older teens in a traditional setting and began exploring unconventional approaches. As we did this, we discovered our real-world learning approach enhanced success, increased involvement, and resulted in better outcomes.

This inspired us to create Social Edventures, aiming to offer this experience to larger groups affordably. We started with a small group of four in late Summer 2022 and quickly expanded to multiple groups of all ages. As our network grew, we listened to our families and gained a clearer understanding of their needs, striving to empower them toward independence and having fun along the way.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The unique way Barbara and April started their private practice
• How they offer social groups and “EdVentures” that set them apart
• Their real-life connection to Love on the Spectrum
• How unique experiences can be incorporated into your private practice
• The one thing so many kids need from their SLPs and OTs that they struggle to find
• A unique approach to teaching social skills 
• The power of filling a need that you see in the community 
• The fulfillment you get when you offer services that make a difference 
• What happens when you leave yourself open to possibility in your private practice

I hope you loved this episode with Barbara and April! I love their encouragement to other SLPs to pursue innovative private practice models. Despite their hurdles, they've remained committed to providing meaningful social experiences and support for their clients.

If you would like help to start your private practice, please visit: www.StartYourPrivatePractice.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 their website: https://www.therapyconnectionsofga.com/home

Follow Social EdVentures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweringabilities/

Follow Social EdVentures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/social_edventures

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:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m diving into a topic that every private practice owner needs to understand: Why having a strategic Private Practice Growth Plan for your practice is super important. 

Just like you need a plan before you start your practice, it’s actually even more important for you to have a plan to grow your practice in a way that’s successful, profitable, and sustainable. 

Building a successful practice doesn’t happen by accident. It requires deliberate goals and steps to achieve them. 

Many private practice owners spend their days reacting to whatever comes up, but if you want to grow, you’ve got to be proactive. You need to set clear, actionable goals and ensure every step you take moves you closer to those goals.

Oh, and at the end of the episode, I’m sharing details about my brand new, exclusive podcast for growth-focused private practitioners! 

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The one thing you need to do if you want to grow your private practice
• The biggest mistake that most private practitioners make
• The four key components of a growth plan 

Remember, success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of deliberate planning, strategic action, and continuous growth.

To learn more about how we can help you make a Growth Plan for your practice, please visit: www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com. You can also subscribe to the growth-focused podcast at www.growyourprivatepractice.com/podcast.

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: 

Subscribe to the growth-focused podcast: https://www.growyourprivatepractice.com/podcast

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:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Dreaming about specializing and opening a non-traditional private practice? You don’t want to miss this episode of Private Practice Success Stories! 

I sat down with Caitlin Zeien, a speech language pathologist with a private practice in Chicago, Illinois that offers highly-specialized social cognitive language-based therapy. 

Caitlin developed a passion for social cognition and social pragmatic language, leading her to specialize in neurodiversity-affirming therapy. Her practice focuses on older children and young adults, a niche that differentiates her from other practitioners.

In this episode, Caitlin discusses her journey and experiences, highlighting the non-traditional ways she has built her private practice.

Despite the challenges, including a cross-country move and adapting to new professional environments, Caitlin's passion for specializing in social cognition and pragmatic language continued to grow and now she has a successful private practice.

Caitlin is the proud owner of Socially Minded Therapy. She is a Chicago-based Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in social cognitive therapy. She provides Neurodiversity Affirming support and services for neurodivergent children, teens, young adults, and their families in Chicago and the surrounding areas. The goal of Socially Minded Therapy is to help others achieve their goals in the social world. Caitlin is so excited to be a part of this community as an ally and forever learner.

With Socially Minded Therapy, Caitlin goes beyond social skills training in the pursuit of empowering individuals by teaching abstract concepts in a concrete way. She provides highly specialized and individualized therapy to support individuals as they develop social competencies and social problem-solving abilities. Together,  in partnership with her clients, they create goals that match the client's own intentions and social areas of interest. 

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How Caitlin discovered neurodiversity-affirming care and found her passion
• What happens when you have a support system during your private practice journey
• How your private practice can level up your life 
• The huge impact the Facebook group in the Start program can have on your success
• The power of collaboration and an abundance mindset
• The key to finding clients for your private practice
• The impact of niching down in your private practice
• Caitlin’s plans for the future and a scholarship program
• How you can serve people on a bigger level with your practice

I hope you loved this episode with Caitlin! She started her journey in the Start Your Private Practice Program, which helped overcome her business-related apprehensions. She is now part of our Grow program and it has been amazing to see the evolution of her practice! 

I love Caitlin’s encouragement to others to pursue their private practice dreams and the importance of having a supportive community, just like she found in the Start and Grow programs.

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.

Resources Mentioned: 

Visit Caitlin’s website: https://www.sociallymindedtherapy.com/

Follow Caitlin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sociallymindedtherapy/

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:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

How do you know if you’re in the messy middle of private practice growth? 

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m going solo to speak to the people who are in the growth phase of their private practice journey, and not just the beginners. 

The growth phase starts after you get five private practice clients or more. Why? Because most people can see five private clients on the side of their job relatively easily. 

However, once you get to five clients and beyond, time becomes tighter and you have to decide whether to stay small or to grow your private practice in terms of more clients, which of course requires more time, but also lets you to be able to do more services. 

The problem is, some people get stuck there! That’s where I come in. My job as a private practice business coach is to help you get through the messy middle as quickly and easily as possible. 

So in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about what the messy middle is, how to know when you're there, and if you're already in the messy middle and are feeling completely overwhelmed, the steps you need to take to get through it as quickly and easily as possible.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• What the messy middle of private practice is 
• The real reason so many private practitioners get stuck in the messy middle
• The difference between working on your business and working in your business
• The key to avoiding burnout as your private practice grows 
• How the Grow program will help you tackle these challenges head-on 

If you're in The Messy Middle of private practice growth and want help navigating through it as quickly and easily as possible... please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com to learn more about how we can help support you.

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: 

Learn more about how to grow your private practice: www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.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/

Mentioned in this episode:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!

Thinking about working part-time in private practice and want to make more money? Then you don’t want to miss this episode! 

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Marissa Joy, a speech language pathologist with a pediatric private practice in Eastern Pennsylvania. Her practice “Ripple Speech Services” focuses on speech, myofunctional, and feeding therapy and she’s also offered Lactation Consulting.

Marissa discusses her decision to open her practice due to her personal experiences with her son's feeding issues and a desire to help other parents avoid the struggles she faced. She joined The Start Your Private Practice Program because she wanted guidance and structure to launch her business.

In addition to her private clients, Marissa secured a small school contract which has provided extra financial stability while maintaining the flexibility to focus on her private practice. This arrangement allowed her to balance her professional and personal life, including spending more time with her children. 

She just celebrated her 2nd private practice anniversary and this week, she made $2,000 in one week. Oh - and she doesn’t work on Fridays during the summer!

Marissa is the owner and speech-language pathologist at Ripple Speech Services, LLC - a practice that serves children and adults to speak, swallow, and breathe better. In her 11 years as an SLP Marissa has served in a number of settings, and even a brief hiatus from being an SLP, but found her passion through personal experience with her youngest son. 

Marissa is a Pennsylvania-licensed and ASHA-certified speech pathologist and always strives to provide collaborative, personalized therapy for every person that walks through her doors.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Marissa’s path to private practice
• The key to getting your first clients, even if you live in a rural area 
• What happens when you are open to new opportunities 
• Marissa’s top tip for getting more clients and growing your private practice
• The passion project that is growing Marissa’s business
• One thing that can give you more stability as you’re building your private practice
• How Marissa is able to work part-time and make full-time income
• The important thing you have to remember when setting your rates

I hope you enjoyed this episode with Marissa!  She is a perfect example of someone who works part-time, has Fridays off, and is making exponentially more than she was before her private practice!

If you want our help to start your private practice step-by-step (just like we helped Marrisa!) please visit: www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more!

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 Marissa’s website: https://www.ripplespeechservices.com/

Follow Marissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripplespeechservices/

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:

I want to invite you to a special free training called 'How to Grow Your Private Practice Income' on Monday October 7th at 8 PM EST. Visit www.growyourprivatepractice.com/training to register!