This article is offered as part of Lesson #6 in the Private Client Mini Course. 
To get full access to the FREE course, click here to sign up.
Over the past few days we’ve spent a lot of time discussing how starting your own private practice can change your life and the lives of your clients.
 
We’ve learned that most people (wrongly) think that in order to have a successful private practice – they need to quit their regular job and “leap into private practice” full-time.
 
It’s also a fairly common misconception that people think of private practice as something to do towards the end of your career. So they pass up opportunities to treat private clients; waiting to have more confidence in their abilities or time to figure it all out.
 
In fact, I was guilty of this myself when I started out!
 
Once I figured out that I could treat private clients “on the side” of my regular job – a whole new world of opportunity opened up.
 
I wasn’t ruling out the possibility of having clinic space, employees, a billing specialist, etc. but I realized that wasn’t where I should start.
 
Starting small felt manageable and like I could actually do it.

The income was fantastic but the true benefit was patient satisfaction and progress.
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I was able to work with my ideal population (adults with neurogenic communication and cognitive disorders) in the way that maximized their therapeutic gains.
 
By treating clients in their homes – and utilizing their natural environment, family members and community, I knew that I was providing high-quality treatment that clients were receiving real value for.
 
It felt amazing  :-)


​Once I learned about treating private clients "on the side," my entire vision changed.

 Once I figured out that I could treat private clients on the side, I no longer had a vision of what my private practice could “look like.” I had to create a new vision.
 
I was confused about the possibilities and wondered what other aspects of private practice I should re-think.
 
Google searches and information on the ASHA website weren't as helpful as I needed them to be. Most of the information was on insurance coding, how to hire employees, how to do a market analysis and business plan and all kinds of overwhelming information.
 
I kept looking at my colleagues who had their own successful private practices “on the side” and thinking, “I want that too.”
 
So I decided to literally draw out and plan my private practice on paper in a journal.
 
The clarity that came from putting my dreams and goals on paper was amazing. Just like we develop short and long-term goals for our patients, I was developing them for myself.
 
It felt good to have a plan; a plan that I was excited to carry out.
 
So now it’s your turn.
 
If you’re thinking about private practice and want to think through the options and figure out how to achieve your dreams in an organized and step-by-step process, here’s your chance.
 
Introducing…

The Private Practice Vision Workbook

 This step-by-step workbook will help you clarify your private practice vision and develop a plan to finally start the private practice of your dreams.
 
I recommend printing the document, going to a quiet space with a lit candle and cup of coffee or tea and letting your creative juices flow.
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Once you’ve filled it out, keep your completed Private Practice Vision Workbook in a safe place. You'll refer to it during the process of starting your private practice. 

Next Steps 

Once you’ve completed your “Private Practice Vision Workbook,” you’re ready to start taking the necessary steps to get ready to treat your first private client.
 
Of course, there are several important steps that you absolutely need to do before getting started and a others that you’ll focus on once you’re underway.
Once you have your vision, there are several important steps to figure out:
  1. How will you find ideal clients to treat?
  2. What will your hourly rate be?
  3. Do you need a business license? NPI number?
  4. Should you accept health insurance?
  5. Where should you treat your clients?
 
If you’re interested in finding detailed, step-by-step answers to these questions, I’ve got good news. Defining a private practice vision is just one of the topics I cover in The Guide to Private Patients, which I mentioned a couple days ago. The Guide is perfect for those who want more flexibility, income and autonomy that treating private clients provides.
 
If you want to finally start treating private clients, this is your opportunity to get going.
 
But for now, I’d like to challenge you to do just ONE THING in the next three minutes.
If you’re going to start a private practice (or if you already have one) post a comment below to share your private practice vision and what motivates you to work with private clients.
This article is offered as part of Lesson #6 in the Private Client Mini Course. 
To get full access to the FREE course, click here to sign up.

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"I would describe my dream private practice as ___________."

Jena H. Casbon, MS CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and private practice consultant. 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 and The Guide to Creating a Web Presence for 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.