Private Practice Success Stories

What if you could walk away from corporate pressure, create a career on your own terms, and finally feel like you’re making a real difference? That’s exactly what Meghan Powers did when she left the skilled nursing world and built her private practice, Gateway to the Rockies Speech Therapy, in Aurora, Colorado. Meghan is a speech-language pathologist who has spent her career helping adults. But, a...

What if the stress, burnout, and uncertainty you’re feeling right now are actually guiding you toward something better? That’s exactly what happened to Kansas Staffy, who went from feeling overwhelmed in her clinical job to running a thriving private practice, Talk and Taste Pediatric Therapy, in Delta and Montrose, Colorado. Kansas is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in AAC and feedi...

What if starting private practice could give you more freedom, fulfillment, and the ability to design work around your life—not the other way around? That’s what Sirisha Duvvuru, founder of Your Speech Matters in Frisco, Texas, discovered when she stepped away from her 9–5. After 12 years in schools and home health, Sirisha loved her clients but felt weighed down by paperwork and limitations. At f...

What if your private practice could finally give you the money, freedom, and balance you’ve always wanted—without the endless hustle or burnout? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Ellie Richter, created for herself. Ellie is the owner of The Essential Teletherapist, and she’s transformed her career from driving all over town for clients to running a thriving telepractice on her own terms. Ellie ha...

What if you could combine your passion for helping people with the freedom to serve the clients you love most? That’s exactly what Anne Quirk discovered when she launched True Self Speech Therapy in Providence, Rhode Island. Anne is a speech-language pathologist specializing in neurological conditions, voice disorders, and gender-affirming voice therapy. After years in nonprofits and hospitals, sh...

What if the career you thought you’d never leave ended up being the springboard into something even better? That’s exactly what happened to Amanda Smith, who turned years of hospital experience into her own private practice, Lasting Language Therapy Services, in Woodstock, Georgia. Amanda is a speech-language pathologist specializing in adults with neurological conditions. After starting her caree...

What if the hardest moment in your life became the spark that pushed you to finally follow your dream? That’s what happened for Andrea Gingras, who turned loss, burnout, and a desire for freedom into the driving force behind her private practice, Love Without Words: Speech Therapy, in Concord, California. Andrea is a speech-language pathologist who has always loved working with kids. After years i...

What if starting private practice this fall could change your career — without quitting your job? This episode is all about why fall is the perfect time to start seeing private clients. Many clinicians have been thinking about private practice for months or even years, but something keeps holding them back: timing, confidence, or clarity. In today’s podcast, I’m sharing 5 reasons why fall is the a...

What if the very thing you think will burn you out… is actually the thing that saves your career? Burnout is everywhere in our field. And here’s the hard truth: burnout is the single greatest threat to you staying in this profession — the very profession you spent years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars in grad school to join. That’s why today’s episode is such an important one. We’re...

What if starting your own private practice meant more time with your kids, a healthier work-life balance, and the freedom to create a career that truly fits your values? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Erin West, set out to do and her journey is going to inspire you. Today I’m introducing you to Erin West, a speech-language pathologist and the owner of Wildflowers Pediatric Therapy in Bradenton...

What if going to work was as easy as opening up your computer? From your office, home, or even somewhere more exotic? Today’s guest is using teletherapy to work from Mexico, and I can’t wait for you to hear her story! I’m reintroducing you to Samantha Rothman, an occupational therapist and one of the amazing coaches inside the Grow Your Private Practice Program. Samantha is the owner and founder o...

Have you wondered if it’s possible to launch your private practice sooner than planned? Today’s guest will encourage you to trust your gut and go for it! Joining me is Laura D’Surney, SLP and owner of Play on Words Speech Therapy, her private practice just outside of Richmond, VA. Laura, an alum of the Start Your Private Practice Program, was hit with the curveball of losing her job shortly after...

Are you worried that starting a private practice will be too much work and take you away from your family life? Today’s guest is proof that you can build a career on your own terms and make it work for you! Joining me is Ricki Klein, someone I’ve actually known for a while! Ricki is an SLP, mom, and owner of Kid Speak Easy, her private practice in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Ricki left the workplace d...

Wondering how you can market to medical private practices? In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I spoke with Meaghan Arnold, a speech-language pathologist with an adult and geriatric-focused private practice in Tyler, Texas. She began her career working in skilled nursing facilities and home health and quickly realized the need for continued care. This prompted Meaghan to start her...

Trying private practice may feel scary and uncomfortable, but it’s worth the risk when you consider the alternative: staying stuck in a less-than-ideal (maybe even toxic!) work environment! Joining me today is Kylie Danfelt, SLP and owner of Berry Sweet Speech and Language. Within a year of joining the Start Program, Kylie went from stressful and tear-filled work days, to a full caseload and flexi...

How do you know if you’re in the messy middle of private practice growth? In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m going solo to speak to the people who are in the growth phase of their private practice journey, and not just the beginners. The growth phase starts after you get five private practice clients or more. Why? Because most people can see five private clients on the side o...

Do you want to start your private practice, but feel intimidated by the financial aspect of starting a business? This episode is for you! Today I’m joined by Becky Spence, an SLP who made an incredible pivot from owning a thriving private practice to becoming a certified tax advisor specifically for healthcare professionals and small business owners. Becky started her private practice, Achieve The...

If you want a flexible schedule that works with your family’s needs and doesn’t leave you feeling constantly behind, this episode has the answers! My guest’s private practice gives her the freedom to build her career around her family, and not the other way around! Joining me today is Katie LaVoi, SLP and owner of As We Speak, her private practice located in O’Fallon, Missouri. Katie joined the St...

If you've been thinking about starting your private practice later in life or after you've worked as an SLP, this episode is for you! Today’s guest proves it’s never too late to make your dreams a reality. Joining me is Christine Zinn, SLP and owner of The Speech School in Las Vegas, Nevada. I’ve known Christine throughout her time in the Start and Grow Your Private Practice Programs and have seen...

Do you want to start a private practice but feel overwhelmed by the logistics or your lack of business knowledge? If so, this episode is for you! Joining me in this episode is Francesca Hernandez, a speech-language pathologist and the proud owner of Chihuahuan Desert Speech Therapy in El Paso, Texas. After filling her schedule with four PRN jobs right out of graduate school, Francesca realized tha...

If you’re tired of feeling underappreciated and held back by the school system, this episode is for you! Joining me today is Kim Willard, SLP and founder of Empower YOU Speech and Language Therapy in Spring Hill, Tennessee. After a new school position did not live up to her expectations following a move, Kim realized something had to change. Kim decided to open her private practice after joining t...

Does the idea of starting a private practice from scratch make it seem too out of reach? If this is you, you’ll love this episode! Joining me today is Hayley Hughston, SLP and founder of Honey Speech Therapy Services in Vidalia, Georgia. I got to know Hayley during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program, and it has been so incredible to watch her grow from someone who wasn't even sure...

If you've been feeling stuck, stretched thin, or dreaming of finally starting your private practice, then this episode is your summer nudge! Stop waiting for the perfect time, it’s already here! You don’t need to quit your job, you just need a plan! And that’s exactly what I’m talking about today. In this episode, I’m talking about why summer is the best time to start seeing private clients and wh...

Feeling “too young” to start a private practice? My guest today is proof that success in private practice is doable for anyone thinking about it! Today I’m talking with Aurora Baraiolo, SLP and founder of Aurora B's Communication Device Evaluations & SLP Services. Since joining the Start Your Private Practice program in August 2024, Aurora has built a robust caseload while balancing her doctor...

Do you want to build a private practice around your passions, but aren’t sure what that could look like? This episode will help you see that anything is possible! Today I am joined by Ellen Lettrich, SLP and founder of The Performer’s Lab based in Richmond, Virginia. I got to know Ellen in the Grow Your Private Practice Program and have been blown away by her ability to combine her background in m...