How to Start a Speech Therapy Private Practice (Step-by-Step)
You are here for a reason.
You want to start a speech therapy private practice (even just a few clients "on the side") so that you can truly make a difference for people in your community.
Something isn't sitting right with you these days and you're interested in making a change.
Maybe you're overworked, overtired and/or just plain over your job - but still love your profession and want to help more people but on your own terms.
Maybe you've been on leave and are looking to return to the field in a different capacity.
Or maybe you're about to retire from a long career but still want to work with clients.
You want to start a speech therapy private practice (even just a few clients "on the side") so that you can truly make a difference for people in your community.
Something isn't sitting right with you these days and you're interested in making a change.
Maybe you're overworked, overtired and/or just plain over your job - but still love your profession and want to help more people but on your own terms.
Maybe you've been on leave and are looking to return to the field in a different capacity.
Or maybe you're about to retire from a long career but still want to work with clients.
In the back of your mind, you have always been curious about private practice and felt that it's something you'd like to pursue at some point.
But when?
And how?
Keep reading because by the end of this article, you'll understand how you can go from dreaming about private practice to living your private practice dream.
Okay - so you want a private practice (or think you might want a private practice). Why? What about private practice is alluring to you?
But when?
And how?
Keep reading because by the end of this article, you'll understand how you can go from dreaming about private practice to living your private practice dream.
Okay - so you want a private practice (or think you might want a private practice). Why? What about private practice is alluring to you?
SLPs often pursue private practice for several reasons:
- They need more flexibility in their schedule to meet personal or family needs
- They want to specialize in a particular population
- They want more control over their income
- Want more autonomy and the ability to "be your own boss"
- They want to give high-quality therapy and help more people
Do any of those motivate you too?
If so, keep reading because I'm going share the 5-step process to start a private practice!
Step #1: Picture Your (Perfect) Private Practice
Lots of people start speech therapy private practices in order to make a bigger difference and escape the crazy demands placed on them in schools and hospitals. So one of the first questions becomes: What do you want your private practice to "look like?"
Do you want to see kids or adults? What diagnoses will you treat? What services will you offer?
When will you see your clients and where will you see them?
All of these decisions need to be made before you start to build so that you can design you private practice around your life.
Do you want to see kids or adults? What diagnoses will you treat? What services will you offer?
When will you see your clients and where will you see them?
All of these decisions need to be made before you start to build so that you can design you private practice around your life.
Step #2: Protect Your Private Practice
Do you like to have all of your ducks in a row?
You're not alone.
The second step to starting a successful private practice is to make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row and minimizing your legal, personal and financial risks.
Private practice isn't as risky as you think IF you take precautions and get organized.
You're not alone.
The second step to starting a successful private practice is to make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row and minimizing your legal, personal and financial risks.
Private practice isn't as risky as you think IF you take precautions and get organized.
Step #3: Promote Your Private Practice
Private practitioners often worry about marketing because they don't want to come off as pushy.
Marketing isn't really about flashy brochures or colorful logos, it's about helping clients and referral sources know if you're a good match.
I recommend that people start with a website (so that Google can index your site and start showing it to prospective clients) and start telling old colleagues or friends from graduate school that you're starting a private practice.
Everyone wants "word of mouth marketing" but in order to get word of mouth marketing - people have to know you exist!
Marketing isn't really about flashy brochures or colorful logos, it's about helping clients and referral sources know if you're a good match.
I recommend that people start with a website (so that Google can index your site and start showing it to prospective clients) and start telling old colleagues or friends from graduate school that you're starting a private practice.
Everyone wants "word of mouth marketing" but in order to get word of mouth marketing - people have to know you exist!
Step #4: Get Paid in Private Practice
Private practice is an opportunity to (finally) get fairly paid for your expertise.
Whether you choose to go the private pay or insurance route, in private practice, there is NO ceiling on your income.
I recommend that people start with private pay because it's easier to keep track of. If your market won't support that, start with ONE insurance company and work up from there.
Just make sure that when you're deciding on a fee and thinking about what to charge you keep in mind that people aren't paying for the HOUR that they are with you - they are paying for the YEARS of experience you have in your career.
Price yourself based on the value you bring to your clients and the market (vs. an arbitrary "going rate")
Whether you choose to go the private pay or insurance route, in private practice, there is NO ceiling on your income.
I recommend that people start with private pay because it's easier to keep track of. If your market won't support that, start with ONE insurance company and work up from there.
Just make sure that when you're deciding on a fee and thinking about what to charge you keep in mind that people aren't paying for the HOUR that they are with you - they are paying for the YEARS of experience you have in your career.
Price yourself based on the value you bring to your clients and the market (vs. an arbitrary "going rate")
Step #5: Prosper in Private Practice
Once you've started your practice and you get comfortable with attracting clients and getting reimbursed for services, it's time to decide how big you want to grow.
From taking more clients to hiring staff, renting clinic space and diversifying your income, the sky is the limit!
From taking more clients to hiring staff, renting clinic space and diversifying your income, the sky is the limit!
Now that you know the steps involved, let's talk about whether or not private practice is right for you!
So... Is Private Practice Right For You?
Private practice is right for you if:
Private practice is NOT right for you if:
- You're ready to practice the way YOU want to, the way that is right for your clients.
- You want to be more financially secure without killing yourself to get there.
- You're ready to do more in your career as a speech-language pathologist.
- You're tired of being owned by your employer and are ready to cut out the middle man.
Private practice is NOT right for you if:
- You are okay with being limited in terms of how much you can earn.
- You like other people to be in charge of deciding when you work and how you work.
- You aren't willing to do the work.
Hi - I'm Jena
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My name is Jena H. Casbon, MS CCC-SLP and I am a speech-language pathologist, private practice owner and business consultant in Boston, MA.
I've been treating my own private clients since 2006 (ten years!) and teaching fellow SLPs, OTs and PTs how to start their own private practices since 2008. I am thrilled that you're here - because we are a lot alike, you and me. We are both helping professionals who are trying to increase the quality of life of our clients. Having my own speech therapy private practice has allowed me to have more control over how I practice, achieve greater balance in my life and fulfill a lifelong dream. |
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One Last Thought...
Opportunities don't disappear. They go to someone else.
If you've had an opportunity to treat a private client and you let it go due to decreased confidence or not knowing the steps involved in starting a private practice, you just missed out on an incredible opportunity to serve a client on YOUR terms.
Want to learn more about how YOU can start a speech therapy private practice so that you can say "YES!" next time?
If you've had an opportunity to treat a private client and you let it go due to decreased confidence or not knowing the steps involved in starting a private practice, you just missed out on an incredible opportunity to serve a client on YOUR terms.
Want to learn more about how YOU can start a speech therapy private practice so that you can say "YES!" next time?
I've taken my knowledge and experience in helping thousands of clinicians (just like you!) get started in private practice and rolled into a brand new FREE TRAINING, which you can sign up for here.
Who is the training best for?
The Free Training is designed for total beginners as well as those who have treated a handful of clients but want to make sure they didn't miss any steps.
If you already have an established practice, you may learn a few new things, but you're not the intended audience.
If you already have an established practice, you may learn a few new things, but you're not the intended audience.
What is the format and time commitment?
The training lasts about 60 minutes and comes with a free workbook!
Are CEUs available?
Not at this time, sorry.
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What are you waiting for?
Go ahead and sign up for the free training by clicking here to enroll, completely free. |
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It can be really scary to try new things, especially making a big move like starting to treat private clients.
Not only will you get the content and information you need to start your private practice the right way, but you'll get support and guidance along the way.
Taking the free training is just the first step in your journey.
See you on the training?
Click here to sign up!
Not only will you get the content and information you need to start your private practice the right way, but you'll get support and guidance along the way.
Taking the free training is just the first step in your journey.
See you on the training?
Click here to sign up!
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Jena H. Castro-Casbon, MS, CCC-SLP, is a private-practice consultant who has helped thousands of speech-language pathologists start and grow their own private practices through her company, The Independent Clinician. She has written articles for The ASHA Leader and Presented at ASHA Connect (2017).
You'll find her online in the SLP Private Practice Beginners Facebook Group and in her premium programs, The Start Your Private Practice System and the Grow Your Private Practice Coaching Program. Jena lives in Boston, MA and is a wife and mama to two young boys. |