Clinicians Creating Impact

Many clinicians are curious about working with rehabilitation assistants, but taking that first step can feel overwhelming. In this bonus episode, I sit down with speech language pathologist Samantha Sundby to talk about what a year of working with rehabilitation assistants has actually looked like in her practice, including the challenges, surprises, and growth along the way.      Samantha shares...

Have you ever had a client tell you that therapy is not working, only to pull out an assessment and discover just how much progress they have actually made? Those moments remind us why objective findings matter. They help us see what feelings alone can sometimes miss. In this episode, I explore why many clinicians trust numbers when working with clients but feel uncomfortable when those same numbe...

Many therapists approach working with rehabilitation assistants as simply teaching tasks and routines. But in this episode, I show you why true rehab assistant integration is really about building relationships that expand your impact, strengthen your leadership, and create sustainable clinical growth.   At Abilities, we have learned that moving from orientation to ownership requires much more tha...

Documentation can often feel like the least rewarding part of clinical work, like a checkbox or something you do at the end of the day to meet requirements rather than something that actually supports your practice.   In this episode, I share a shift that changed how I think about documentation and why it can play a much bigger role in your work than you might expect. I walk through three layers o...

Therapists are often curious about working with rehabilitation assistants, but many are also skeptical. After years of building clinical expertise, it is natural to wonder whether involving someone else in the care of complex clients could lower the quality of therapy. In this episode, I explore why that concern is so common and why the reality of effective rehab assistant integration often looks...

In this bonus episode, I am joined by Katie van Baarsen, a speech language pathologist at Abilities, to talk about her experience completing our rehabilitation assistant certification program and what it taught her about team based care.   Katie shares what surprised her about the depth and rigor of the program, the moments that challenged her clinical thinking, and how supervising rehabilitation...

Many clinicians think leadership is about doing more- more clients, more tasks. But in this episode, I show you how leadership is really about creating systems that work for  everyone without overwhelming yourself.   You'll learn how to lead sustainably by providing strong direction and clear roles, making leadership impactful and manageable without the burnout.   Get full show notes, transcript,...

It's common for clinicians to hesitate when considering delegation.   After all, you want to make sure your clients receive the best care possible, and handing off tasks can feel risky.   But when done correctly, delegation is a game-changer. Learn how to do it with my practical framework that's informed by real client experiences.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: http...

How can clear roles transform your team and make client care more effective? In this second episode of our series on integration, we're diving into the backbone of team-based care: clear roles. I'll break down why having defined roles isn't just about structure, and we'll explore the three key questions that can help you identify where clearer roles can make your work lighter, more impactful, and...

What if the key to better client outcomes isn't doing more, but integrating better? This episode launches a new ongoing series on integration and how we work alongside rehab assistants at Abilities. In this first conversation, I'm sharing how our rehabilitation assistant model began and the core belief behind it: that great care is a team sport. Get full show notes, transcript, and more informatio...

What does it take to build a sustainable caseload that supports your clients' growth without draining your own energy? As the busy season ramps up, many clinicians find themselves caught between serving more families and wondering how long they can maintain the pace.   Designing a sustainable clinical practice isn't about pushing harder or finding better self-care hacks. Through working with clini...

In this episode, I'm diving into a topic that can truly elevate your therapy sessions: engagement.   Engagement isn't just a "nice-to-have." It's foundational for ensuring therapy sticks, clients learn, and outcomes improve.    After spending the summer focusing on this very theme at Abilities, I'm sharing the three engagement hacks that can transform your sessions in five minutes or less. Tune in...

In this episode, I'm inviting you to take a look behind the scenes at Abilities and discover what you might not immediately notice.   It's not just about the logistics or the day-to-day operations – it's about the values that shape everything we do. If you've ever wondered what makes our approach to care unique, this episode will give you a taste of the spirit that defines us.   Tune in this week...

The integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare sparks both excitement and apprehension among clinicians. Three soon-to-be occupational therapists from UBC discovered through their capstone research that while patients approach AI with inherent skepticism, they're surprisingly willing to explore its potential.   Their findings reveal a fascinating paradox: patients feel more comfortable...

If you want to deliver high-quality care as a clinician, a comprehensive rehabilitation assistant model is critical. The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, with therapists facing burnout, clients needing greater access to care, and funding models constantly changing.     At Abilities, our rehabilitation assistant model isn't just about delegation. It's about creating a sustainable, team-bas...

Have you ever felt that disconnect between what you learn in school and how things actually work in the real world?   This gap between theory and practice is something many healthcare professionals experience, especially during those crucial transition periods from student to clinician.     In today's episode, I chat with two soon-to-be occupational therapists who have thoughtfully navigated this...

Have you ever found yourself avoiding an important task at work, only to feel guilty about it later?   Rather than seeing it as a character flaw or something to feel ashamed about, I've come to understand procrastination as valuable feedback from our minds.   In this episode, I'm sharing my evolved understanding of procrastination and giving you practical strategies to respond when you notice your...

Remember learning "stop, drop, and roll" as a kid?   Turns out, this simple strategy isn't just for fire safety - it's also a powerful framework for managing difficult client situations.   Because let's be honest: even though most of our clients are amazing, those challenging interactions can feel like we're literally on fire sometimes, right?   In this week's episode of Clinicians Creating Impact...

Are you searching for your dream job but not sure where to start?   In this episode, I share my insider perspective on what makes a candidate truly shine. I reveal the key questions to ask yourself before even starting your job search, the dos and don'ts of the interview process, and how to evaluate an offer beyond just the hourly rate.     Whether you're a new grad or a seasoned clinician looking...

There's something special about this time of year—hopefully, you're feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle what's ahead. As clinicians who love setting and achieving goals, it's the perfect moment to focus on how you can make 2025 your best year yet.   Join me this week as we explore how to make 2025 a year to remember. I'll be sharing key questions to help you clarify what would make this year a...

Have you ever been injured by a client during a therapy session? It's a situation that no clinician wants to face, but it's important to be prepared for the possibility. While physical injuries are more obvious and often receive immediate attention, the emotional impact can be just as significant and long-lasting. Feelings of unsafety, anger, guilt, and shame are common in these situations.   I of...

What does it take to be a truly successful clinician? As therapists, we're driven to make a real difference in the lives of our clients, but the path to success isn't always clear. But what if I told you that the secrets to success might be simpler than you think?   Join me in this episode as I reveal my top three secrets for success as a clinician. From leveraging your unique strengths to buildin...

Documentation is many clinicians' least favorite part of the job. Even for myself, I don't do much direct clinical work, but documentation still takes up much of my time. But imagine the impact you could create at work if your documentation process was optimized for efficiency. How could speeding up your documentation benefit both you and your clients?   Discover how to optimize not only your docu...

In my clinical practice, I learned a powerful lesson from my clients about how to make consistent progress toward even the biggest goals. It's a simple but profound shift in mindset that has transformed how I approach my own work and life. It's all about doing less while achieving more, and I share everything you need to know in today's episode.   Discover the real secret to making your big goals...

Have you ever felt stuck in your job as a clinician? Maybe you've felt like you can't leave your current position, or you've struggled to make progress with a particular client. Perhaps you've even felt stuck working with a difficult coworker. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, then this episode is exactly what you need.   Tune in this week to gain new tools to help you next time you fee...