Private Practice Success Stories

What if you had a chance to be your own boss without quitting your job? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Dani Newcombe is here to talk about. When you work for someone else, they dictate your hours, your caseload, which clients you see, and your pay. I used to think of private practice as a type of work setting, but now I see that it is a vehicle that can get you the freedom and pay you deserve. Think of it as a “choose your own adventure” opportunity! It can greatly increase both your income and impact if you want it to. Dani and I are discussing this and more specifically, how and why she works in both the school setting and private practice.Dani Newcombe is a school and private practice SLP in Indiana. She graduated from Loma Linda University in 2018. She is currently in year 4 as an SLP. She owns her own practice, The Messy SLP, LLC and you can find her posting videos for comedic relief on Instagram @themessyslpShe is currently working on her clinical doctorate with an estimated graduation dat

I always love to start the new year off with some predictions for private practice, so in this episode, I am sharing what I'm predicting, how you can be at the forefront of all of this knowledge, and how to adjust accordingly.I do an episode like this at the beginning of every new year for a couple of reasons. First, I love watching trends happen and predicting things. Second, I want the Independent Clinician audience (that’s you!) to have a heads up so that you know where to place your energy.I am not always right, but I have been doing this long enough to be able to make some pretty good predictions over the years!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why I think more SLPs will start private practices on the sideThe most popular reasons why SLPs will start private practicesThe pattern I am seeing when it comes to the growth of private practicesIf I think that student loan debt will be canceled in 2022What I think will happen with telepractice in the futureWhy you need to advocate for coverage in 2022My tips for hi

A part-time private practice is a great option for anyone that is interested in starting a private practice but that isn’t sure if they want to take the leap into it full time.To be honest, I didn't even know that part-time private practice was an option when I first started my private practice, but now it is how I teach the students in the Start Your Private Practice program to get started.In this episode, I am talking about how to start working with private clients part-time or on the side of your job, so you can see how it can work before you do any leaping or jumping into private practice.This is the easiest way that you can start a private practice, and it is how I started mine. I am sharing how I got started, what I learned along the way, and how you can do it too!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How I got started in private practice part-timeWhat I charged when I startedHow many clients I was seeing each week on the side of my jobHow part-time private practice changed my confidence and financesThe many d

Danni Augustine is a speech-language pathologist and alum of the Start Your Private Practice program who was able to pay off $52,000 worth of debt and double her school SLP salary through her private practice.Isn’t that impressive?! She is very much into finances, so she educates other SLPs on how to get ahead financially.This episode features an Instagram Live that Danni and I did where we discuss several ways that SLPs can get ahead financially without fear.Throughout the episode, we talk about so many things, but we focus on the importance of investing in yourself so you can improve your finances as an SLP. Whether you already have a private practice or you are interested in starting one, these tips all about finances will help you prepare for a better financial future.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The rate of inflation and how that relates to our salariesStarting a private practice as a way to create other streams of income Investing in yourself as a way to make more moneyInvestment mindset versus t

Only a handful of speech-language pathologists were offering telepractice before the pandemic, but our entire profession switched to telepractice overnight once it started!Some speech-language pathologists absolutely love it and some prefer in-person. Those who love telepractice are trying to find ways to continue to do it because they love the flexibility it offers. I always tell those clinicians to start their own private practice and offer teletherapy!Starting a private practice that offers teletherapy is a lot easier and cheaper than you’d think, so in this episode, I am breaking down how you could do it and telling you about some clinicians that have implemented teletherapy into their private practices!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why you should consider cutting out the middlemanHow business licensing differs for telepracticeWhether or not you should take insuranceExamples of how clinicians offer private practice differentlyThe benefit of convenience to both clinicians and clientsIf you are ready to us

Are you a Type A or Type B SLP?There is a belief that speech-language pathologists who identify as Type A SLPs are more suited for private practice, and before I started my Private Practice, I thought the same thing!As a Type B SLP myself, the thought of this made me very nervous because I was worried that I wouldn’t be successful.In this episode, I am sharing my thoughts and feelings on this idea now as well as some data that I think you will find very interesting!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What I feared before I started my private practiceThe things I did to stay organized and on top of deadlinesWhy I started my education companyHow to leverage your unique strengthsThe strengths of Type A SLPs versus Type B SLPsI was shocked in the best way when I realized that a lot of SLPs are Type B! I love it when false beliefs, assumptions, and stereotypes are challenged, including my own. Private practice isn't for any one type of person. It's for anyone who has the drive and the inclination to help people!In

If you're an SLP who is stressed out right now and working in a school, a hospital, early intervention, a university clinic, or someone else's private practice, this is a must-listen episode.It features a conversation that I had with Lauren Hermann that originally aired on Instagram Live. We discussed common stressors that SLPs are facing right now and how they can advocate for themselves.Lauren is a speech-language pathologist, author of the book titled But My Speech Is Fine, and copywriter for various SLP and healthcare businesses. She's passionate about advocating for the SLP profession and improving interprofessional practice. Lauren and I both believe that if you're stressed out by how things are going at work, you have to do something about it. This conversation will give you the tips and confidence to do exactly that.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The benefits of starting your own private practiceWhat you need to get started in private practiceSelf-limiting beliefs that many SLPs have Definin

Everything is figureoutable. Do you believe that? I do!My guest, Dr. Dawn Moore, does too, so she is joining me to share her private practice success story. We talk about how she got started, how she grew, and the challenges that she has faced along the way.Dr. Dawn Moore ClinScD., CCC-SLP, COM® is the founder of Expressions Speech, Language, & Myofunctional Center in Burlington, North Carolina. She is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).Additionally, she is a Certified Orofacial Myologist® through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). Dr. Moore has over 23 years of experience in Speech-Language Pathology, earning her clinical doctorate in 2018. For 15 years, she practiced in the schools of North Carolina as both a clinician and Lead SLP with recognition as a Teacher of Excellence and expanded into pediatric private practice in 2010, serving children o

Should you take private pay or insurance for your private practice? There are pros and cons to each of these options!In this episode of the Private Practice Success Stories podcast, I'm discussing the options and helping you decide which route to go.I want you to know that there is no one way to do it, and you get to choose which one feels best for you and for your community. You can always start with private pay and then branch out into becoming an insurance provider later if you need to increase your volume of clients!I've helped over 10,000 SLPs start, grow, and scale successful private practices using both private pay and insurance, so I am answering your questions about billing, how to decide which payer sources to accept, and more.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What I recommend to most SLPsDeciding what your rate is with private payWhich option allows you to start your private practice quickerThe pros and cons of payer sourcesWhat a superbill is and how it works for practitioners and familiesGetting pai

Do you want to create a business or businesses that help pay the bills, but also make sure that you have a work-life balance?You’re going to love this episode with my guest, Martha Horrocks, because she is doing exactly that!Martha has a private practice, a TpT business, AND a Boom Learning business, but she intentionally keeps her businesses smaller and more manageable to make sure that she's maintaining a work-life balance.Martha is the owner and speech-language pathologist at Martha Speech, LLC - a pediatric private practice that serves children across Maine via teletherapy. Martha will be celebrating the one-year anniversary of her practice in November! She also shares resources and ideas related to her passion (fluency disorders) on her professional Instagram, Martha Speech, and creates materials for SLPs on Teachers Pay Teachers and Boom Learning.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Choosing your own adventure as a private practitionerLearning where you are most effective as a clinicianCreating the business t

Do you struggle with putting yourself out there? Does this affect your ability to market your private practice or hold you back completely from starting one? Do you have so much going on in your life that you can’t even begin to believe that having a successful private practice is in the cards for you?Unfortunately, all of these feelings are pretty common. To help you with that, I am joined by Amanda Modrowski in this episode because she has overcome all of those feelings. She is going to share her story and share some pretty incredible marketing strategies and tips too.Amanda Modrowski is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has worked in almost every setting in her career. After working in multiple settings, she realized that none of them let her practice speech pathology in a way that fulfilled her and didn't add mountains of paperwork or stress to her life. So, Amanda went looking for another option and found it when she discovered Jena's SYPP program. After slowly beginning in 2018 to get her “ducks in

Have you ever thought about building a telepractice? Have you thought about being the CEO of a telepractice?My guest in this episode, Glory Lichon, did just that, so she is joining me to share her story!​​Glory Lichon is an Air Force veteran that started Glow Bright Therapy in April 2019 with the encouragement and support of her husband Brian Lichon (also an Air Force veteran). Due to the burnout in the schools, Glory made the difficult decision to leave after five years of being a school SLP. During that time, Brian encouraged her to start their own practice with a mission to fulfill the need of providing accessible services through the online delivery model. Glow Bright Therapy is a veteran-owned telepractice with a mission to provide accessible and effective services to children and families in need of support. They truly believe in not only providing evidence-based therapy, but also building meaningful connections and relationships with the families they serve because that is also an integral piece t

Why are some private practices popular, in demand, and constantly getting new referrals and others are working hard, spinning their wheels, and barely getting any inquiries?It all comes down to word of mouth!In this episode, we're talking about word of mouth marketing and one of the major things that you need to focus on in order to get it. Word of mouth marketing is what I like to call the “holy grail” of marketing, and it is something that really can benefit those of you who are hitting roadblocks.Keep in mind, this is a more advanced marketing strategy for those that are looking to grow, but it is an important one.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What word of mouth marketing isWhat happens if you don’t position yourself optimallyHow your positioning impacts your practiceWhy you should change your marketing to reflect your positioningHow the Grow Your Private Practice coaching program can help youWhen it comes to your private practice, what do you want to be known for? What do you want people to think of

You can start a private practice that plays to your strengths and interests. This means that you can offer something outside of the box!Madeline Boe, my guest in this episode, did just that! She offers Hippotherapy through her private practice, so she is joining me to talk all about how she got started and why she decided to offer something a little different.Madeline Boe is the owner of Unbridled Abilities, a private practice that provides speech-language pathology services for children and young adults in Western Wisconsin and the East Metro (MSP). Unbridled Abilities provides speech services in natural environments including family homes, community parks/libraries, local storefronts, and job sites.  Additionally, services may be provided within a farm setting where horses and other animals can be used to help clients achieve their goals. Madeline has attended continuing education through the following organizations in order to safely and successfully utilize animals and equine movement as a part

Are you thinking about starting a specialty-based private practice? Do you already have one?In this episode, I am talking to an SLP celebrity, ​​Autumn Reed Henning, about how having a specialized business and private practice has really helped her increase her impact and find success fast as a private practice owner.Autumn R. Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, IBCLC is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She is a Certified Orofacial Myologist® through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), and she is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Autumn specializes in orofacial function and development throughout the lifespan.  She works with infants to adults in her private practice, Chrysalis Orofacial in Greenville, SC. She also has trained thousands of professionals from varying fields internationally in her E3 Model of Care and flagship course TOTS: Teth

Do you ever feel like you aren’t being challenged enough or you are ready for a change?It's an interesting feeling when you start to feel restless as an SLP. It’s like you're going through the motions and you know what to do, but you're no longer challenged or excited by it. Jamie West Florida is joining me in this episode because she felt that exact same way before she started her own private practice with the help of the Start Your Private Practice Program. Jamie and I are really digging into this feeling as well as what you can do as an SLP if you relate to it.Jamie has been a speech-language pathologist since 2012.  Upon graduating, she has worked in different settings, including schools, home health, an ABA clinic, and a private clinic. With a family with a strong small business background, she was always drawn to the idea of private practice, but years of fear of failure held her back.  After some pep talks from her peloton and the support of her family, she decided to just go for it! Slo

Did you learn anything about private practice when you were in graduate school?If not, you're not alone, and it's not your fault that you don't know anything about starting or growing a private practice.There are actually only two SLP grad programs that have a practicum, not even a full course in private practice...In this episode, we are talking about why that is and more importantly, what you can do about it.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The reason more and more SLPs are interested in private practiceWhy the gap for learning how to go into private practice feels so bigWhy it’s not too late to learn how to start a private practiceResources that are free to help you get startedIt's time to think about your goals and finally take control of your professional, personal and financial life. Private practice is the only way to do that.Remember, just because you didn't learn about private practice in graduate school doesn't mean that you can't learn about it now.With my help, you'll learn things about billing and

When I first started my career as a speech-language pathologist, I never thought I would own a business.I honestly used to think that business was boring… I only ever wanted to help people, and I didn’t think that becoming a business owner was the way to do that.You might think the same thing! Even if your instinct is to think that business is boring and you see yourself primarily as a helping people person, this episode offers some really valuable lessons.In the episode, I am sharing three lessons from business leaders that helped me become the successful business owner that I am today. I share quotes from Franklin Covey, Marie Forleo, and Zig Ziglar, and how they relate to owning a private practice.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why you should think about your final vision firstThe mindset you need to adopt when you feel stuckHow to have everything you want in lifeWhy you need to stop putting yourself lastRemember, if you put your clients and yourself first, you can all have what you want.I encourage you to

Are you ready to take control over your professional, personal and financial life?My guest in this episode, Ashley Perkins, knew this was something she wanted even before finishing grad school!She knew that she wanted to be in business for herself because she wanted control over her time and the time that she could spend with her family, so she started seeing private clients as soon as she earned her CCC.​Ashley is the founder of Perkins Therapy Group, which was established upon recognizing the need for specialized speech, feeding, and orofacial myofunctional therapy within the Eunice area. Ashley and I both believe that private practice is a vehicle to get what you want, so she is talking to us all about how she took a chance on herself and created the life that she had imagined for herself and her family.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Deciding to lean into your dreamWhy saying yes is so monumental even if it’s to something smallLeaving a full-time job to take the leap into private practice Why you

Most speech-language pathologists wished that they earned more money…The problem is that in most traditional SLP settings like schools, hospitals, and early interventions, salary increases are few and far between.Do you agree with this or have you experienced this?The question remains: how can you earn more money as an SLP?In this episode, I am covering three ways that you can earn money as an SLP without quitting your job!In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why identifying an expense or a goal helps you create a planTwo income streams that aren’t always the best optionThe best income stream for SLPsWhy private practice is a great income streamHow the Start Your Private Practice Program can help you The exact strategy a lot of SLPs use to pay off debtRather than sit around and wait for your employer to notice how hard you're working and reward you financially for it, take matters into your own hands.I hope this episode not only helps you to decide on an income stream that supports your goals but gives you the