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Jena H. Castro-Casbon, MS CCC-SLP is a private practice consultant, author, teacher, entrepreneur, mentor and mom. She's the founder of The Independent Clinician and spends a lot of time in the SLP Private Practice Beginners Facebook Group.
(I'm coming to the realization that I'm wearing too many hats...)
Most of my SLP friends also feel like they are wearing too many hats and choose to take the hope and opportunity that comes with a new year to regroup and refocus. When I asked members in The SLP Private Practice Beginners FB Group to share their intention words for 2018, the results were refreshing. Given that this is a group of private practitioners, it wasn't surprising to see Action Words like:
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When I took a look at the full list of words however, I noticed that the most common intention words could be easily divided into a few different categories...
This List Isn't Just About Private Practitioners... It's About Where Speech-Language Pathologists Are
What started out as a fun post in a Facebook group taught me a lot about where speech-language pathologists are right now...
Speech-language pathologists are eager to make a difference (action words) but are overwhelmed and overworked (balance words) and are longing for calm in their life storms (peaceful words) and to feel more powerful when it comes to getting it all done (confidence words). As of this writing, over 8,300+ speech-language pathologists have found their way to The SLP Private Practice Beginners Facebook Group because they are seeking more clinical freedom, balance and control over their financial lives than their "regular" settings can provide. Speech-language pathology is not just a profession but a calling. We are called to help people but often lose sight of helping ourselves. As we head into the new year, I urge you to: take action, find balance, build confidence and make peace no matter which setting you work in. You got this. Happy New Year!
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Written by Jena H. Castro-Casbon, MS CCC-SLP, author, speaker, consultant and founder of The Independent Clinician.
Jena is the admin for The SLP Private Practice Beginners Facebook Group . |
Post Updated for 2018!
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If you're on Facebook, you should consider joining the most popular speech therapy Facebook groups.
Facebook groups have become an excellent way to collaborate with fellow clinicians to share information, ask for advice, commiserate, share funny stories, etc.
While some groups are quite large with a huge cross section of SLPs from different areas of practice (ex. Speech Pathologists at Large)... Other groups are much smaller and represent unique niches, like those interested in starting a speech therapy private practice (ex. SLP Private Practice Beginners.) Here are 20+ groups to consider joining. Let me know in the comments if I've left any out! |
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DO THIS Before You Ask to Join Any Of These Groups:
Pro Tips: Before you ask to join these groups, make sure that:
- Your Facebook profile lists you as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
- You answer the questions posted after you click "join group" (if applicable)
General Groups
Speech Pathologists at Large
Members: 33,000+
Description: This page is for SLPs, SLPAs, and SLP students. Parents are not allowed in the group. *The main purpose of this group is for chatting about Speech Pathology- related topics. If you are a parent or student, please be respectful of our profession (and our licenses!) and know that we are not here to give advice related to specific assessment or treatment procedures.
Description: This page is for SLPs, SLPAs, and SLP students. Parents are not allowed in the group. *The main purpose of this group is for chatting about Speech Pathology- related topics. If you are a parent or student, please be respectful of our profession (and our licenses!) and know that we are not here to give advice related to specific assessment or treatment procedures.
Speech Therapy Ideas
Members: 21,000+
Description: A group for SLPs to share speech therapy ideas with each other.
Description: A group for SLPs to share speech therapy ideas with each other.
Pediatric Speech Therapy Groups
School Based Speech and Language Therapy
Members: 37,000+
Description: FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROFESSIONALS ONLY. A place to discuss EBP provision of services in the schools only. *Parents need to seek a qualified SLP vs. asking for advice in this group.** Threads not pertaining to school-based services will be deleted without notice. Repeated violations will result in offenders being removed from the group.
Description: FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROFESSIONALS ONLY. A place to discuss EBP provision of services in the schools only. *Parents need to seek a qualified SLP vs. asking for advice in this group.** Threads not pertaining to school-based services will be deleted without notice. Repeated violations will result in offenders being removed from the group.
School SLP Jubilee
Members: 4,600+
Description: To focus more on the solution than the problem when it comes to schools, to remember that there is life outside of work when that is the only way you can stay positive, AND to remember we have the best job in the whole wide world! :-)
Description: To focus more on the solution than the problem when it comes to schools, to remember that there is life outside of work when that is the only way you can stay positive, AND to remember we have the best job in the whole wide world! :-)
Pediatric Medical SLPs
Members: 2,000+
Description: Pediatric Medical SLPs is a group for professionals to discuss information relevant to working with pediatric patients in a medical setting (hospital, rehab center, etc.). Please, no spamming. Graduate students are welcome to join as well. Parents seeking medical advice should defer to their child's service providers.
Description: Pediatric Medical SLPs is a group for professionals to discuss information relevant to working with pediatric patients in a medical setting (hospital, rehab center, etc.). Please, no spamming. Graduate students are welcome to join as well. Parents seeking medical advice should defer to their child's service providers.
Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologists
Members: 3,700+
Description: This is a closed group ONLY for Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistants and graduate students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology to discuss early intervention in relation to evaluations, therapy and other great ideas to help grow our clinical skills. Please join!
Description: This is a closed group ONLY for Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistants and graduate students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology to discuss early intervention in relation to evaluations, therapy and other great ideas to help grow our clinical skills. Please join!
Early Intervention SLPs - Birth to 3
Members: 9,500+
Description: This group is for people to swap ideas, ask for help, and to share their experiences in serving the very special birth to three population.
Description: This group is for people to swap ideas, ask for help, and to share their experiences in serving the very special birth to three population.
Members: 1,500+
Description: This group welcomes both parents/caregivers and professionals working with infants and toddlers. We share information, questions, articles & resources about infant & toddler development. Hosted by: Ayelet Marinovich, M.A., CCC-SLP and Lia Kurtin, M.S., CCC-SLP
Description: This group welcomes both parents/caregivers and professionals working with infants and toddlers. We share information, questions, articles & resources about infant & toddler development. Hosted by: Ayelet Marinovich, M.A., CCC-SLP and Lia Kurtin, M.S., CCC-SLP
Adult Speech Therapy Groups
Medical SLP Forum
Members: 25,000+
Description: A dedicated forum for Medical Speech Language Pathologists around the world to contribute, collaborate and communicate about all things #MedicalSLP related. The dynamic field of Speech Language Pathology is expanding rapidly. Medical SLP has become a very specialized area of practice in this field and having a forum dedicated to it seemed like a must. This group is open to professionals and students interested in or currently practicing in the field of Medical SLP. Spread the word and feel free to ask questions, share your opinions and valuable comments. We learn something new everyday.
Description: A dedicated forum for Medical Speech Language Pathologists around the world to contribute, collaborate and communicate about all things #MedicalSLP related. The dynamic field of Speech Language Pathology is expanding rapidly. Medical SLP has become a very specialized area of practice in this field and having a forum dedicated to it seemed like a must. This group is open to professionals and students interested in or currently practicing in the field of Medical SLP. Spread the word and feel free to ask questions, share your opinions and valuable comments. We learn something new everyday.
Adult Rehab Speech Therapy
Members: 13,000+
Description: For SLPs working with adults in rehab settings! A place to ask questions, get ideas, and just have support from fellow SLPs! Please do not include any identifying information in your posts!
Description: For SLPs working with adults in rehab settings! A place to ask questions, get ideas, and just have support from fellow SLPs! Please do not include any identifying information in your posts!
MedSLP Newbies (New!)
Members: 4,200+
Description: MedSLP Newbies is a group for any SLP that is a new grad or younger clinician, an SLP thinking of switching, or an SLP that is brand new to the medical side. This group is also for any VETERAN SLP who loves to teach and share EBP with fellow clinicians! This is a 100% SAFE ZONE. There are ZERO stupid questions, and there is ZERO tolerance for jerks. The only way we will grow as a profession, and improve outcomes for our patients is by seeking the info that you don't know.
Description: MedSLP Newbies is a group for any SLP that is a new grad or younger clinician, an SLP thinking of switching, or an SLP that is brand new to the medical side. This group is also for any VETERAN SLP who loves to teach and share EBP with fellow clinicians! This is a 100% SAFE ZONE. There are ZERO stupid questions, and there is ZERO tolerance for jerks. The only way we will grow as a profession, and improve outcomes for our patients is by seeking the info that you don't know.
Speech Therapy Private Practice Groups
SLP Private Practice Beginners
Members: 8,200+
Description: Interested in starting your own speech therapy private practice? Need some help and support getting started? Join our community and find the support and answers you need.
Description: Interested in starting your own speech therapy private practice? Need some help and support getting started? Join our community and find the support and answers you need.
The Therapists' Corner
Members: 700+
Description: Where Therapists Go to Collaborate
Description: Where Therapists Go to Collaborate
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Speech Therapy Specialty Groups
Clinical Research for SLPs (new!)
Members: 4,700
Description: This is a place for speech–language pathologists and clinical scientists to discuss research in the field of speech-language pathology. The purpose of this group is A.) to provide a place to host weekly discussions of research applicable to clinical practice. The group Admins and Moderators will organize volunteers to host weekly topic discussions and B.) to provide a place to additionally discuss anything related to research and speech–language pathology. Group members may share resources, make observations, or generally chat about anything SLP and research-related.
Description: This is a place for speech–language pathologists and clinical scientists to discuss research in the field of speech-language pathology. The purpose of this group is A.) to provide a place to host weekly discussions of research applicable to clinical practice. The group Admins and Moderators will organize volunteers to host weekly topic discussions and B.) to provide a place to additionally discuss anything related to research and speech–language pathology. Group members may share resources, make observations, or generally chat about anything SLP and research-related.
Bilingual Speech Language Pathologists
Members: 3,800+
Description: This group was created for Bilingual Speech Language Pathologists to share their expertise in working with bilingual children and adults. Monolingual SLPs seeking advise on how to work with bilingual clients are welcome and encouraged to join. Members are encouraged to invite colleagues as well as to post questions, responses, resources, and any other information PERTINENT to bilingual speech language pathology for all to share.
Description: This group was created for Bilingual Speech Language Pathologists to share their expertise in working with bilingual children and adults. Monolingual SLPs seeking advise on how to work with bilingual clients are welcome and encouraged to join. Members are encouraged to invite colleagues as well as to post questions, responses, resources, and any other information PERTINENT to bilingual speech language pathology for all to share.
The League of Extraordinary Speech Gentleman
Members: 900+
Description: In which we observe the rare male Speech Pathologist in his natural habitat
Description: In which we observe the rare male Speech Pathologist in his natural habitat
AAC - Alternative Awesome Communicators
Members: 5,000+
Description: The purpose of this group is to encourage community among AAC users and the great people that help them. Please post any questions, resources, or videos. We are here to help each other as we help our kids become the ALTERNATIVE AWESOME COMMUNICATORS that they are!!!
Description: The purpose of this group is to encourage community among AAC users and the great people that help them. Please post any questions, resources, or videos. We are here to help each other as we help our kids become the ALTERNATIVE AWESOME COMMUNICATORS that they are!!!
SLP Telepractice Collaboration
Members: 2,600+
Description: This group is for Speech Language Pathologists interested in or currently working via telepractice. Telepractice is a great option, but when you are working from home there's a bit of isolation. This is a great way to collaborate on treatment ideas, carryover ideas, etc.
Description: This group is for Speech Language Pathologists interested in or currently working via telepractice. Telepractice is a great option, but when you are working from home there's a bit of isolation. This is a great way to collaborate on treatment ideas, carryover ideas, etc.
Gender Spectrum Voice & Communication
Members: 1,000+
Description: This group is a closed group for Speech-Language Pathologists and other professionals who work with transgender people seeking vocal transition-related services and/or training.
Description: This group is a closed group for Speech-Language Pathologists and other professionals who work with transgender people seeking vocal transition-related services and/or training.
Clinical Voice Therapy (new!)
Members: 1,100+
Description: This is a closed group for Practising Speech Pathologists and associated health professionals (e.g. ENTs and Physiotherapists) around the world with a special interest in voice and voice therapy.
Description: This is a closed group for Practising Speech Pathologists and associated health professionals (e.g. ENTs and Physiotherapists) around the world with a special interest in voice and voice therapy.
SLP Coupons (new!)
Members: 400+
Description: Coupons to help speech therapists do their jobs easier (ex. CEUs, treatment materials, etc.) or live easier (ex. Ann Taylor, Michaels, etc.)
Description: Coupons to help speech therapists do their jobs easier (ex. CEUs, treatment materials, etc.) or live easier (ex. Ann Taylor, Michaels, etc.)
Speech Therapy Materials Buy Sell Trade SLP BST Group
Members: 6,000+
Description: This is a US based group to buy and sell materials and post ISOs. You can check out the page Speech Therapy Material Auctions as well to see 100s of items and auctions. I created this for you'll to sell your stuff too :)
Description: This is a US based group to buy and sell materials and post ISOs. You can check out the page Speech Therapy Material Auctions as well to see 100s of items and auctions. I created this for you'll to sell your stuff too :)
Purposeful Rebranding of Speech Language Pathology
Members: 4,500+
Description: This is more than a group. This is a movement! The field of Speech-Language Pathology is largely misunderstood. This leads, ironically, to miscommunication between professionals and the public about the services we provide. This miscommunication is ultimately a detriment to the public - as many may miss opportunities to have an SLP make maximal impact on their lives because they don't understand what we can diagnose and treat. While most of us have heard SLPs in all sectors complain about misperceptions about our field, few are raising their hands to explain how they themselves are becoming a catalyst to change this.
Description: This is more than a group. This is a movement! The field of Speech-Language Pathology is largely misunderstood. This leads, ironically, to miscommunication between professionals and the public about the services we provide. This miscommunication is ultimately a detriment to the public - as many may miss opportunities to have an SLP make maximal impact on their lives because they don't understand what we can diagnose and treat. While most of us have heard SLPs in all sectors complain about misperceptions about our field, few are raising their hands to explain how they themselves are becoming a catalyst to change this.
The Political SLP
Members: 2,000+
Description: The Political SLP is a nonpartisan group of SLPs and related professionals discussing current and potential policies and the impact on our field.
Description: The Political SLP is a nonpartisan group of SLPs and related professionals discussing current and potential policies and the impact on our field.
The Informed SLP
Members: 4,300+
Description: A place for SLPs to chat about research in the field of speech-language pathology
Description: A place for SLPs to chat about research in the field of speech-language pathology
Alternative Careers to SLP
Members: 2,800+
Description: A place for those considering leaving to field to find support and guidance
Description: A place for those considering leaving to field to find support and guidance
Type B SLPs (new!)
Members: 2,000+
Description: We love our jobs, and we're great at them--in our own special laid-back, creative, chaotic way!
Membership is capped right now, exceptions may be made for charming entreaties made by potential members' friends.
Description: We love our jobs, and we're great at them--in our own special laid-back, creative, chaotic way!
Membership is capped right now, exceptions may be made for charming entreaties made by potential members' friends.
Future SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists)
Members: 6,000+
Description: A group for speech-language pathology graduate students and clinical fellows to share resources, give / get support, etc.
Description: A group for speech-language pathology graduate students and clinical fellows to share resources, give / get support, etc.
Did I miss any great Facebook groups for SLPs?
[Leave a comment] to let me know about any groups I may have missed!
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Jena H. Castro-Casbon, MS CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist, private practice consultant and member ASHA and the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology.
She started her own speech therapy private practice in 2006. She is the founder of The Independent Clinician and author of The Guide to Private Patients, The Guide to Creating a Web Presence for Your Private Practice and Grow Your Private Practice. Since 2008, she has helped thousands of clinicians get the flexibility, income and freedom they desire from starting their own private speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy practices. Jena is the admin for "The SLP Private Practice Beginners Facebook Group" |
This is a guest post from speech-language from Lori Melnitsky, MA CCC-SLP (http://www.allislandspeech.com)
Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Lori Melnitsky. I have been a speech pathologist for 25 years, which is hard to believe. I have been in private practice since 2003 and love what I do. My private practice is All Island Speech and Stuttering Therapy (www.allislandspeech.com). Interestingly I stuttered severely up until about the age of 25. It took me the remaining 25 years to become a confident speaker . Stuttering is my speciality and I treat children and adults of all ages. My practice has expanded. I am on Long Island, NY and am expanding into New York City. I also treat a large early intervention population and am prompt certified. Additionally, I am Orton Gillingham and Barton trained.
I started out as an accountant and after five years of saying I was miserable at my job I went back for a Masters in Speech Pathology and have never looked back. After I completed my pre requisite speech classes with all A's I was told by my professors I would never be able to communicate with parents so I should not bother applying. I left devastated but picked myself up and went to speak to Hofstra University who welcomed me with open arms. Those years were not easy as I was afraid to raise my hand in class for fear of stuttering. Somehow I made it through and never gave up on my dreams.
I started out as an accountant and after five years of saying I was miserable at my job I went back for a Masters in Speech Pathology and have never looked back. After I completed my pre requisite speech classes with all A's I was told by my professors I would never be able to communicate with parents so I should not bother applying. I left devastated but picked myself up and went to speak to Hofstra University who welcomed me with open arms. Those years were not easy as I was afraid to raise my hand in class for fear of stuttering. Somehow I made it through and never gave up on my dreams.
How did you get started in private practice?
I decided to turn my unfinished basement into an office. The big question do I get the clients first or finish the basement? I chose the later one. I initially became Prompt Certified and Lidcombe Trained and started sending brochures to local doctors. It started slow and social media was not in the picture at the time. Every year I added on more clients and always kept my early intervention kids on my caseload. After a few years I spoke at local conventions and parent groups to spread the word on stuttering and apraxia. My first clients were toddlers with oral motor delays. I was able to use my prompt skills and oral motor experience to help them. I remember the first stuttering client was a little girl who stuttered. The feeling of seeing her progress and become fluent was amazing. Through word of mouth my stuttering practice has expanded significantly. My husband and daughters always encouraged me to keep going even when the phone did not ring often in the early years.
What has owning a private practice meant for you and your life?
Owning a private practice has allowed me flexibility and the desire to specialize in helping others. Initially health insurance was not an issue but my husband started contracting out and premiums started to rise. cannot lie that there have been times that I worry about not having a pension or paying such a high health insurance rate but love being able to set my own schedule and expand where and when I want to. Social media has helped me with this more recently as Facebook, linked in and twitter have evolved.
Share a success story, tip or lesson learned:
I think my most successful moment has been seeing a medical student go from low grades on his oral reports due to stuttering to getting into the best dermatology program in the country. The confidence fluency gave him due to the MPI Stuttering Program was amazing. I also have seen countless preschoolers with very nervous parents not stutter anymore. I have learned that I cannot solve every speech disorder presented to me but I can encourage and guide as many as I can. I also learned I need to learn about counseling to help others.
What is your best tip for beginners?
My biggest tip is develop a niche. It is important. Decide if accepting health insurance is right for your geographic location. Reach out to parent groups and local organizations. Most importantly follow your heart and dreams.
 | Lori Melnitsky, MA CCC-SLP, has been an ASHA certified and NYS licensed speech/language pathologist for over 20 years and has helped hundreds of children, teens and adults in her diverse professional lifetime. She has completed advanced training in Lidcombe stuttering, MPI Stuttering, feeding, PROMPT, Orton Gillingham and the Barton Dyslexia Course. Lori served as a consultant to the children's show Arthur of an episode on stuttering. Click here --> http://www.allislandspeech.com/index.php) to learn more about All Island Speech and Stuttering Therapy. |
This is a guest post written by Michelle Garcia of Rise Therapy in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
I don’t know about you, but I love slow-cooked crockpot meals. They are simple and delicious and don’t require chef-level cooking skills!
The key components are preparation and time, with lots of each. In a pinch, you could speed up the whole process by purchasing a ready-made microwavable meal but which would you rather eat? Which would you rather serve to your family and friends? Which would you rather be known for?
I wish this was a microwave success story but like anything else worth doing, this is a story about preparation, effort, and time. This is how I started a private practice debt-free, the crockpot way.
The key components are preparation and time, with lots of each. In a pinch, you could speed up the whole process by purchasing a ready-made microwavable meal but which would you rather eat? Which would you rather serve to your family and friends? Which would you rather be known for?
I wish this was a microwave success story but like anything else worth doing, this is a story about preparation, effort, and time. This is how I started a private practice debt-free, the crockpot way.
Ingredients:
- Save, save, save
- Cut, cut, cut and follow a budget
- Make and stick to a business plan, as many drafts as you need
- Be creative about your spending; why buy new?
- Find accountability partners
- Get free or low-cost support from places such as the Small Business Development Center
- Seek information, read books, listen to podcasts
Recipe:
Back in graduate school, I had big dreams.
After getting my CCCs I was going to go to start a private practice, travel to Africa, and change the world. After working full-time in a school setting for 6 years and part-time for someone else’s private practice, I wasn’t any closer to my own private practice or Africa.
On top of that, my husband and I had decided to start our family. So, in 2014 while pregnant, I bought the Independent Clinician’s Guide to Private Patients. The fire I felt in graduate school started to comeback (or maybe it was just heartburn from my pregnancy) but I began to make plans to transfer the clients I was working with to my own home-based private practice. One year later, I bravely did just that!
I found myself working a full-time job, running my own part-time practice doing home visits, and caring for our baby. As life would have it, things starting to get more complicated. I began playing around with the idea of leaving my full-time school job for full-time private practice. Ironically, I talked myself out of it. My family needed insurance and benefits and a stable income, and, and…….
Then in 2016, I got the push I needed. My school contract suddenly changed and I found myself working 50+ hours a week with a toddler at home! Things began to fall apart. I had to make a hard decision; do I close my private practice or do I grow it? The deepest satisfaction I felt with my work as an SLP was in my private practice. Seeing the progress and the difference I could make in my client’s lives was the answer I needed! After 8 years of working in schools, it was time to say goodbye.
After getting my CCCs I was going to go to start a private practice, travel to Africa, and change the world. After working full-time in a school setting for 6 years and part-time for someone else’s private practice, I wasn’t any closer to my own private practice or Africa.
On top of that, my husband and I had decided to start our family. So, in 2014 while pregnant, I bought the Independent Clinician’s Guide to Private Patients. The fire I felt in graduate school started to comeback (or maybe it was just heartburn from my pregnancy) but I began to make plans to transfer the clients I was working with to my own home-based private practice. One year later, I bravely did just that!
I found myself working a full-time job, running my own part-time practice doing home visits, and caring for our baby. As life would have it, things starting to get more complicated. I began playing around with the idea of leaving my full-time school job for full-time private practice. Ironically, I talked myself out of it. My family needed insurance and benefits and a stable income, and, and…….
Then in 2016, I got the push I needed. My school contract suddenly changed and I found myself working 50+ hours a week with a toddler at home! Things began to fall apart. I had to make a hard decision; do I close my private practice or do I grow it? The deepest satisfaction I felt with my work as an SLP was in my private practice. Seeing the progress and the difference I could make in my client’s lives was the answer I needed! After 8 years of working in schools, it was time to say goodbye.
Preparation:
6 months before I planned to resign from my position at the school, my husband and I began saving all the money we could.
We began to “practice” living off my husband’s income. We cut our personal spending by 30%. We stopped eating out, shopping at high-end grocery stores, etc. I started researching and designing a business plan. Ultimately, I knew I felt more comfortable and happier in a clinical setting than doing home visits, so I devised a plan to find and lease a clinic space. I scoured the city to find a space that I could afford using the income I already had from my current home-based clients.
After 6 months of saving, we had the $5,000 we determined through a business plan that we needed to start the clinic. We also saved an additional 6-9 months’ worth of expenses to supplement my husband’s income. The clinic savings would cover the first and last month’s rent, all furniture, materials, tests, a computer and printer, liability insurance premium changes, fire inspections, website design, and all other surprise and planned for expenses.
To make this tight budget work, I bought all my furniture second-hand. I “borrowed” my son’s old toys and books. I made materials in my free time. I used coupons and reduced costs services like Canva for marketing graphics, Vistaprint for cards and flyers, Facebook to get the word out, a friend to build my website, I wrote articles for local parent magazines, etc. I found a shared clinic space that already had waiting room furniture, a microwave, and toilet paper.
With everything purchased (and $5,013 spent), we celebrated opening day!
We began to “practice” living off my husband’s income. We cut our personal spending by 30%. We stopped eating out, shopping at high-end grocery stores, etc. I started researching and designing a business plan. Ultimately, I knew I felt more comfortable and happier in a clinical setting than doing home visits, so I devised a plan to find and lease a clinic space. I scoured the city to find a space that I could afford using the income I already had from my current home-based clients.
After 6 months of saving, we had the $5,000 we determined through a business plan that we needed to start the clinic. We also saved an additional 6-9 months’ worth of expenses to supplement my husband’s income. The clinic savings would cover the first and last month’s rent, all furniture, materials, tests, a computer and printer, liability insurance premium changes, fire inspections, website design, and all other surprise and planned for expenses.
To make this tight budget work, I bought all my furniture second-hand. I “borrowed” my son’s old toys and books. I made materials in my free time. I used coupons and reduced costs services like Canva for marketing graphics, Vistaprint for cards and flyers, Facebook to get the word out, a friend to build my website, I wrote articles for local parent magazines, etc. I found a shared clinic space that already had waiting room furniture, a microwave, and toilet paper.
With everything purchased (and $5,013 spent), we celebrated opening day!
Cook Time:
3 years ago, I had the crazy idea to start a private practice.
The idea cooked for a long time before it could happen debt-free and it was largely due to the strong backing of my husband, my family and my support network. In this time, I asked a smart, strong-minded friend from graduate school to be my accountability partner. She called and texted me regularly to make sure I was on track and gave me words of encouragement.
I listened to as many podcasts as I could from Scott Harmon at Start a Therapy Private Practice and Paul Potter of Cash Therapy Practice from Scratch. I called my mom regularly. My husband and I prayed together.
I bought all of Jena’s materials at the Independent Clinician. I signed up to receive free business coaching at my local Small Business Development Center (I highly recommend looking into your local SBDC!).
The idea cooked for a long time before it could happen debt-free and it was largely due to the strong backing of my husband, my family and my support network. In this time, I asked a smart, strong-minded friend from graduate school to be my accountability partner. She called and texted me regularly to make sure I was on track and gave me words of encouragement.
I listened to as many podcasts as I could from Scott Harmon at Start a Therapy Private Practice and Paul Potter of Cash Therapy Practice from Scratch. I called my mom regularly. My husband and I prayed together.
I bought all of Jena’s materials at the Independent Clinician. I signed up to receive free business coaching at my local Small Business Development Center (I highly recommend looking into your local SBDC!).
I read books including Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick, Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey, and On Fire by Paul Potter. I researched grants and local and national small business competitions. These free, nearly-free, and budget friendly resources helped me pull through when my crockpot was bubbling and I was unsure how this recipe was going to turn out.
I am now two months into having a brick and mortar private practice and while I certainly still have room to grow and I am eager to get more clients, I am not stressed by the heavy burden of clinic debt. I can instead spend that energy being excited about growing my private practice and my family’s future. I have the time to do the things I love again, including running for charity.
In fact, this September marks my first clinic-supported half-marathon. I am running for clean water for Africa!
Not only has owning a debt-free private practice improved mine and my family’s quality of life, it has brought me closer to my dreams in ways I never thought possible. Oh, this crockpot meal will be so delicious when its ready to serve.
I am now two months into having a brick and mortar private practice and while I certainly still have room to grow and I am eager to get more clients, I am not stressed by the heavy burden of clinic debt. I can instead spend that energy being excited about growing my private practice and my family’s future. I have the time to do the things I love again, including running for charity.
In fact, this September marks my first clinic-supported half-marathon. I am running for clean water for Africa!
Not only has owning a debt-free private practice improved mine and my family’s quality of life, it has brought me closer to my dreams in ways I never thought possible. Oh, this crockpot meal will be so delicious when its ready to serve.
 | Michelle E. Garcia, MS CCC-SLP is a wife, mother, ASHA certified SLP, and owner of Rise Speech-Language Pathology Services, LLC, serving children and special needs adults in the Santa Fe area and throughout NM via telepractice. Contact her at [email protected] or www.RiseTherapyNM.com |
This is a guest post by Liz Schwartz, MS CCC-SLP, who is a speech-language pathologist and private practitioner in Queens, NY.
"I just couldn't face having a boss anymore"
After spending 25 years working with children with disabilities and supervising clinical fellows, being passed over for promotions and laid off, I was in my early 60’s and it was time to figure out what to do next.
I just couldn’t face having a boss any more, especially one my own kids’ age or younger.
What better way to solve this problem than open an accent reduction practice! No behavior problems, no boss, no rules and regulations except the ones I made for myself. (I also happen to live in the most ethnically diverse county in the country – Queens, NY).
My love of languages and cultures led me in the right direction and Better Speech Now, LLC was born!
I just couldn’t face having a boss any more, especially one my own kids’ age or younger.
What better way to solve this problem than open an accent reduction practice! No behavior problems, no boss, no rules and regulations except the ones I made for myself. (I also happen to live in the most ethnically diverse county in the country – Queens, NY).
My love of languages and cultures led me in the right direction and Better Speech Now, LLC was born!
My Private Practice Took Off
Once I was sure this was I wanted to do, a series of lucky events fell into my lap.
One day, while browsing in the public library, I was chatting with the librarian and telling her about the business I wanted to start. She suggested that I contact my local economic development organization. I attended their workshops, including some focusing on their annual small business startup competition.
To make a long story short, my business actually won the competition that year along with a nice sum of money to help me get going.
Then it was time to figure out where I was going to see my clients. Another incredible stroke of luck occurred when I walked into an arts and music center two blocks from my house and the extremely nice people running it offered to rent me a room at a very affordable price.
Better Speech Now has taken off from there.
Six years later, I have worked with great people whose problem is not a disability, but rather, an accent preventing them from achieving their goals in the US. Best of all, I make my own schedule and get to visit with my delicious grandkids whenever I want.
One day, while browsing in the public library, I was chatting with the librarian and telling her about the business I wanted to start. She suggested that I contact my local economic development organization. I attended their workshops, including some focusing on their annual small business startup competition.
To make a long story short, my business actually won the competition that year along with a nice sum of money to help me get going.
Then it was time to figure out where I was going to see my clients. Another incredible stroke of luck occurred when I walked into an arts and music center two blocks from my house and the extremely nice people running it offered to rent me a room at a very affordable price.
Better Speech Now has taken off from there.
Six years later, I have worked with great people whose problem is not a disability, but rather, an accent preventing them from achieving their goals in the US. Best of all, I make my own schedule and get to visit with my delicious grandkids whenever I want.
My Advice to Therapists Looking to Start Their Own Practice
- Tell everyone you know or meet what you do. One of my best contacts has been someone I met at the gym who is the Human Resources director of a major international bank. She has lined up a host of her employees to take my program, some of whom have my services paid for by their employer.
- DO network, but don’t run all over town networking. Pick 2-3 networking groups where you will build relationships with folks who will get to know you.
- Plaster your flyers (with the tear-off strips) everywhere there is a community bulletin board. Offer to give workshops at your local library or community center whether they pay you or not.
- Get involved with your local business development organizations, SCORE and Small Business Administration.
- Start an e-newsletter and build up your mailing list.
And good luck!
 | Elizabeth Schwartz obtained her Master's Degree in Communication Sciences from Hunter College, CUNY in 1992. She began her career in Speech-Language Pathology by helping children with a variety of speech and language disorders and delays. She later spent several years training and supervising new speech therapists and helping them achieve independence in their chosen career. She has always been fascinated by languages and is proficient in Spanish. She has traveled on five continents, which has broadened her view of communication across cultures. Learn more about Liz and her private practice on the Better Speech Now website OR "Like" the Better Speech Now Facebook Page OR Connect with Liz on LinkedIn |
