Private Practice Success Stories

If you don’t already know, I have been teaching SLPs and OTs how to start and grow their own private practice since 2008. These 15 years of experience have taught me exactly what people need to know in order to start the private practice of their dreams. I knew I had to write a book so that I can share some of that with even more people.

So in today’s episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m sharing an excerpt from my new book, The Path to Private Practice. This is the book that I wish I had when I decided to start my own private practice.

I needed this book back when I was full of self-doubt, questions, and what-ifs. I was desperately wanting to learn more about how private practices worked, how others were doing it, and what my first step should be.

This book is a great read for people who are further along and may be experiencing some challenges, such as imposter syndrome or feeling guilty about charging for your services. In addition to practical tips, I also cover some mindset issues that you'll need to explore in order to be successful in private practice

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why I decided to write this book
• Who this book is for
• The introduction to this book
• Why private practice is a great way to gain more control of your life
• How this book will help you achieve your dreams of starting a private practice

I hope that hearing this introduction to The Path to Private Practice piqued your interest and that you're excited to read the rest of the book! It covers things like why SLPs and OTs are joining the private practice movement, the new way to start a private practice, the private practice success path, and the secrets of successful private practitioners.

To learn more and get your copy of my new book, The Path to Private Practice, please visit www.PrivatePracticeBook.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:

Check out The Path to Private Practice book

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Are you feeling like you’re being held back in your current position?

Private practice may be the answer. In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Jordan Scholl to talk about how starting a private practice has allowed him to show up as his most authentic self and it helped his clients show up authentically as well.

Jordan Scholl (he/him) is a speech-language pathologist living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jordan has spent his career as a speech therapist providing services to the adult population in rehabilitation hospitals, private practice, and research settings throughout Ontario. He is also a course lecturer and course designer for SLP programs in Quebec and Ontario and is a sought-after guest lecturer on topics of clinical anatomy/physiology, voice, and motor speech disorders.

Jordan opened his private practice so he could emphasize a holistic, functional, and individualized approach to working with his adult clients. He believes everyone has a right to communicate in a way that is authentic to who they are, and has originated the term “identity-affirming" to refer to a therapeutic perspective that adapts to the needs of each individual client. His primary areas of focus include voice and singing voice, gender-affirming care, and adult stuttering.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why Jordan decided to pursue private practice
• How he embraces authenticity in his practice
• The population he serves
• How he works with his clients
• The power of referrals
• The difference that having a website makes
• The rebrand Jordan has in mind for his private practice
• The creativity that private practice allows you to embrace

I hope you enjoyed this interview with Jordan and that he inspired you to create an environment where you and your clients can thrive as well. He really embraces his creativity and runs a practice that allows him to serve his clients authentically and without limits, and it is thriving because of it.

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 Mentioned:

Visit Jordan’s website: https://torontoadultspeechclinic.com/

Follow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanschollslp/

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Have you been thinking about starting a private practice and wondering how you can grow as a business owner and mom?

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Amber Reese, one of my Grow Your Private Practice students, to talk about how she did just that. She is not only a thriving private practice owner, but she is a mother as well and her practice gives her the freedom to be there for her family when they need her.

Amber Reese, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Texas licensed and an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist with over 8 years of experience. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Louisiana Tech University.

Amber was born and raised in Louisiana but now considers herself a Texan after living in Texas for 8 years, thanks to her husband, Greg. Together they live in Spring, TX with their 5-year-old boy/girl twins. Amber is the owner of Bluebonnet Therapy Services, a private speech therapy practice in Tomball, TX, located in the North Houston area. She specializes in working with the birth-6 years population, speech sound disorders, and orofacial myofunctional disorders.

She is passionate about providing family-centered services that are fun, child-led, and play-based. Services are provided in her office, at daycares, preschools, and private schools in the community, and in homes. Amber also offers virtual parent coaching services and community training for parents, caregivers, and teachers.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How Amber got started as an SLP
• Why she decided to start a private practice
• How networking helped grow her business
• Why she decided to offer insurance
• How relationships can impact your business
• How the Grow program helped her with her business
• Amber’s goals for this year

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Amber. She never thought about starting a private practice but decided to take a chance on herself and it’s worked out well for her. As a mom, being in control of your schedule is huge, and private practice allowed her to do that.

If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs - just like Amber - who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com

Resources Mentioned:

Visit Amber’s website: https://www.bluebonnettxservices.com/

Follow Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebonnettherapyservices/

Follow Amber on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bluebonnettxservices

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Are you facing career burnout?

For many SLPs and OTs, this is all too common. In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Corinne Zmoos who experienced early career burnout. She was tired of the expectation that she should be an expert generalist at her job in early intervention and felt trapped.

She is very creative and started teaching music classes on the side and since the parents of the kids she worked with knew she was an SLP, they started asking for help. After joining the Start and Grow Your Private Practice programs, she now has a thriving private practice.

Corinne Zmoos, M.S. CCC-SLP is a musical speech language pathologist in Baltimore, MD. Her private practice, Crescendo Communication provides highly individualized, neurodiverse language and executive functioning therapy for toddlers and young children. She specializes in AAC, musical intervention, and Gestalt language processing.

As a neurodivergent individual herself, Corinne deeply understands how music lights up the brain for nontraditional learners and facilitates progress rooted in joy rather than compliance. This year, Corinne opened Messy Happy Music Lab to provide an inclusive space for the children of Baltimore to learn through music, process art, and sensory play

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How she got started as an SLP
• How she took on the identity of a business owner
• Why word-of-mouth referrals are so powerful
• The services she offers to her clients
• Why she loves Gestalt language processing
• How she sees genuine, authentic growth with her clients
• How the Start and Grow programs helped her

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Corinne. She is a breath of fresh air in the speech world and I love that she offers such creative and unique services to the clients that she serves. She went from being a burnt-out SLP to a successful private practice owner.

Whether you want to offer nontraditional services like Corinne, or if you still want to offer traditional services but outside of a traditional setting, private practice may be the solution to help you get what you need.

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 - just like we've helped Corrine, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com.

Resources Mentioned:

Visit the Messy Happy Music Lab website: https://www.messyhappymusiclab.com/

Take the Music Theory and Gestalt Language Processing course: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/Music-Theory-and-Gestalt-Language-Processing

Follow Corinne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyhappymusiclab/

Follow Crescendo Communication on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crescendo.communication/

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Are you looking for some serious inspiration about how starting a private practice can change your life? This episode is for you.

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Brittney Cotton, one of my Grow Your Private Practice students, to talk about her journey of bringing her dreams to life and running a successful private practice serving the clients she’s passionate about helping.

Brittney has been a practicing SLP for 13 years. She received her Bachelor's & Master's degrees from Alabama A&M University. Brittney has worked in public schools, home health, and outpatient private practice. She has always enjoyed the fun and flexibility of functional, client lead therapy in her client's natural environment.

Speak Wonders was founded to fill a need for in-home speech therapy services for Black and minority children in underserved communities. Their mission is to provide equitable therapeutic services to ALL people. They know firsthand how healthcare disparities affect people of color, and they aim to level the playing field as it relates to access and quality of services.

Brittney is driven by how life-changing therapy can be to children with disabilities, especially in the Black community. As a Black therapist, she takes pride in being the representation our field lacks. Educating, advocating for, and treating her community brings her joy and helps to fulfill our mission. Communication is essential, everyone deserves a voice, and we're here to help ALL people communicate effectively and Speak Wonders.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How Brittney started seeing private clients
• The non-compete clause Brittney dealt with
• The process of applying to take Medicaid
• How Brittney navigated payment issues
• Making your first hire
• The experience of working with school contracts
• How she dealt with imposter syndrome
• The importance of being resourceful as a business owner
• The award she won because of her hard work
• The benefits of getting licensed in multiple states
• The possibilities available to you if you offer telehealth

If you want to be a business owner and have a private practice, you need to get comfortable with problem-solving your way through issues in order to get to the other side. Brittany is a perfect example of someone who is doing just that.

If you would like to know more about how we support SLPs and OTs in the Growth phase of the private practice journey just like we’ve supported Brittney, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com

Resources Mentioned:

Visit Brittney’s website: https://speakwondersspeechtherapy.com/

Follow Brittney on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakWondersSpeechTherapy

Follow Brittney on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7ZPPcrrzQkB8Ts5BcfyDw

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Have you always wanted to start a private practice but are worried it’s too late? 

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Claudia Davisson who started her private practice after she retired! What started out as a way to supplement her retirement income has turned into a thriving private practice that earns her exponentially more money than she was making when she worked in the schools. 

Her private practice is a mix of private pay clients, insurance, and multi-school contracts. She hires contractors to provide services. This is a true private practice success story of someone who went from a side hustle to a booming private practice owner. 

Claudia started in the Start Your Private Practice program, and then she became a mentor for her students, where she is truly beloved. Claudia is also an alum of our Grow Your Private Practice program. It has been amazing to watch her progress, and I know you'll enjoy hearing her story and getting to know her in our paid programs.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why Claudia decided to start a private practice and go full time 
• How multiple contracts grew her business 
• The benefits of hiring virtual assistants and contractors 
• The power of changing habits when needed
• Non-pushy marketing tips 
• Why you can’t give up 
• The potential and possibility for your private practice

I just love Claudia. She has such amazing energy and she wasn’t afraid to try something new. She’s a fantastic practitioner and an amazing mentor for the students in the Start Your Private Practice program. If you want to connect with her, make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook and check out her website and TpT store. 

To learn more about how we help SLPs and OTs grow their private practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com or watch our free training at https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar.

Resources Mentioned: 

Visit Claudia’s website: https://www.allthingsspeechtherapy.com/

Follow Claudia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsspeechtherapy/

Follow Claudia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allthingsspeechtherapy

Get the Private Practice Parent Guide: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Private-Practice-Parent-Guide-How-to-File-for-Out-Of-Network-Benefits-5931879

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I sat down with Renee’ Rohan to talk about how she started her private practice part-time and grew it to full-time. She shares how she learned to set herself apart and find success, even though there were other private practices in her area, because of the huge need in her community.

Renee’ was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, and is proud to call Alabama her home. She received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University of Montgomery (AUM), and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. Renee’ holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), which is a nationally recognized credential awarded by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

She has practiced as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) serving adults and children in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient clinics. Renee’ is certified in neuro-muscular electrical stimulation therapy for swallowing (NMES or E-Stim) through VitalStim and E-Swallow.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why Renee’ decided to start a private practice
• The huge need for SLPs and OTs
• How Renee’ got her first clients
• How she marketed her private practice
• The importance of relationships and connections
• How Renee’ shifted her focus based on the market
• The ebb and flow of business
• How she transitioned to full-time
• The work-life balance that Renee’ has with her private practice

If you’re struggling with your job even though you love what you do, Renee’ is a wonderful example of what’s possible. She’s happier now than she has ever been in her career and she gets to enjoy time with friends and family more now because she has the work-life balance that she deserves.

If you would like to learn more about Renee’, follow her on Facebook and check out her website.

To learn how we help SLPs and OTs start their private practices (just like Renee!) please watch this free webinar https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar

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 Renee’s website: https://www.encouragingwordstx.com/

Follow Renee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encouragingwordstx/

Watch the free webinar https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

For the 200th episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I am sharing a very special interview!

Laura Shaw started her private practice in one of the most innovative ways ever. She started while she was a travel SLP, which helped exponentially grow her income on the side while traveling for work.

Laura was a student of my Start Your Private Practice program and my Grow Your Private Practice program, and in this episode, she shares why she chose travel therapy, how she decided to get private clients on the side, how she started her blog, and how she’s grown her private practice.

If you've been thinking about adding private practice as a side hustle, either as a traveler or on the side of your regular job as a way to grow your income, this is a must-listen episode.

Laura is an SLP with a passion for all things speech pathology. Unable to pick just one setting to work in, Laura jumped into the world of travel therapy after her CF and experienced as much as she could—from inpatient and outpatient, to schools, SNFs, and early intervention.

After discovering that no one setting would ever give her the flexibility, freedom, and financial stability she wanted, she decided to dip her toes into the world of private practice. Laura built her practice as a side gig initially, but after turning a school-based travel position into a contracting job through her practice, she hasn’t looked back!

Additionally, Laura is the owner of The Travel SLP, a community focused on connecting and educating current, future, and former travel SLPs.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Travel therapy
• Why Laura started seeing clients on the side
• How she created multiple streams of income
• The way that she created her dream private practice
• School contracts
• How the Grow program helped her level up
• The unexpected way she gets referrals

Before I had Laura on one of the panels for the Start Your Private Practice program, I didn't realize that the job that she was seeing private clients on the side of was her traveling SLP job. This was basically the most creative way to date that I have ever heard of people exploding their income.

Laura is a kind person and an amazing clinician who found a super creative way to earn exponentially more than she would be able to in traditional settings. If you want to learn more from her, make sure to visit her website and follow her on Instagram.

To learn more about how we can help you start or grow your private practice (just like we helped Laura!) please visit www.IndependentClinician.com

Resources Mentioned:

Visit Laura’s website: https://www.balancedspeech.com/

Visit the Travel SLP website: https://www.thetravelslp.com/

Follow Laura on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.travelslp/

Follow Laura’s practice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balanced.speechtherapy/

Join the Travel SLP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetravelslp/

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Are you thinking about starting a private practice in 2023? If so, this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m sharing why it’s so important to plan your private practice before you start, and I’m giving a special behind-the-scenes sneak peek into our beginner's bootcamp that’s coming up at the end of the month.

Most speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists are planners. Starting a private practice is a big deal. And my role at The Independent Clinician is to make it faster and easier for you, which starts with planning it all out.

There are so many ways to be in private practice. You can have a solo practice or have an entire team providing multidisciplinary services to your community. You can be a specialist or generalist. You can offer teletherapy or in-person services. The list goes on.

The point is that you get to choose! But in order to build the private practice of your dreams, you need to start with a plan.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The types of private practice you can have
• Why planning is so important
• Things you need to think of when planning
• What to expect from the Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp
• The important “f-words” when starting a private practice

I believe that starting a private practice is the only way to take full control of your professional, personal, and financial life. So let’s do it! The Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp is both fun and functional and we would love to see you there.

Join our Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp event at www.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:

Private Practice Bootcamp: www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.com

Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp | Winter 2023 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3233791053539740

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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

Do you have any predictions for 2023? If you’re interested in hearing mine, listen to this episode closely.

In last week’s episode, we looked at our year in review to see how we supported private practitioners in 2022. If you didn’t catch that episode, you can go back and listen to it anytime!

In this episode, I’m sharing my plans and predictions for private practices in 2023.

Whether you already have a practice or you’re planning on starting one this year, you’re going to want to listen closely and maybe even take some notes!

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• What you can expect from the Independent Clinician in the new year
• Future content that I have planned
• When you can join the Start Your Private Practice program
• Predictions to help you navigate the coming year
• Why more people are shifting to private practice
• How mindsets have changed since the pandemic
• Why starting your private practice part-time can be limiting
• Deciding how to position yourself
• The popularity of school contracts
• How to make hires in a difficult job market

I hope you’re as excited as I am about the possibilities for private practice. Whether you’re curious about private practice or you’re committed to starting or growing one, I hope you enjoy this episode. I’m wishing you all the best for the new year!

To learn more about how we can support you as you start and grow your private practice in 2023, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com.

Resources Mentioned:

The Independent Clinician: www.IndependentClinician.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/

Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/