To All the Jobs I’ve Loved Before…
We are never, ever, ever getting back together 🤪
DISCLAIMER: For legal purposes, some details in this post about my former jobs have been altered slightly. This post reflects my personal experiences and lessons learned. It is not intended to defame any former employer or coworker. While I am thankful for the opportunities my past employers have given me, I felt it was only fair to share the truth behind what sparked my career changes over the years. Not to talk 🗑️, but to help other SLPs know they aren’t alone and to fight for equity and fairness in our field.
I still remember my first job as a speech-language pathologist like it was yesterday… I mean it was technically only 10 years ago, but in some ways that feels like a lifetime ago! While I loved my coworkers, the school and the students, my first position quickly became unreasonably draining. I had over 100 kids on my caseload and was completing 150+ evaluations per year (and all in a preschool setting 😬). It was overwhelming. I loved my students, but I was drowning. I went to my boss asking for support, and the answer I got was a firm “no.”
I kept asking. I kept trying to advocate for myself and my students. But when it became clear that help wasn’t coming, I made a big decision that came with a lot of backlash: I resigned just one month into my fourth year with the school district. I felt bad for leaving my coworkers and students behind, but I knew that I wasn’t the best SLP I could be when I was forced into an unethical and unmanageable workload.
I moved to a private practice, where I worked for a great mentor who taught me so much about running a practice. But I jumped quickly into the role without really understanding the nuance of private practice: I wouldn’t get paid for my indirect time, and there was a LOT of indirect time (writing reports, billing, documentation, planning and so much more). It was my fault for not digging deeper before I started, and while I loved my time and experience at the practice, I know I would never accept a position with unpaid time again.
After we moved to a new state, I joined a company that worked to provide free and reduced Speech Therapy to our local communities in need. I loved my caseload, my coworkers, my company’s benefits… It really felt like a dream job at first. Then, COVID hit, and I became a mom. I wanted to scale back on in-person work to be closer to my son and as life became more expensive, I needed a higher paying position to keep up with the rising cost of living. While searching for the next opportunity, my coworkers and I discovered pay inequities at the company. When management couldn’t (or wouldn’t) support us, it finally pushed me to resign.
I then joined a contract agency that promised fair pay, support, and a family-like culture. No really, the owner said almost every meeting that we were “all family.” And I believed it! Fast forward a few years later, I realized the promises weren’t real. I was being misled about my pay, and the inequities continued. If you can’t tell by now, I don’t tolerate being lied to, and in my last few weeks at this company I kept discovering a new lie at every turn.
So on a bit of a whim, I started exploring independent contracting. That’s when it clicked: if I started my own private practice, I could have the best of both worlds. I could provide in-person speech therapy to my ideal early childhood clients and offer teletherapy independently (without an agency taking 40–50% of my hourly wage). I was thrilled. This new path led me to launch my social media, which opened doors I never imagined and brought me to where I am today. (Like this blog!)
It’s taken some time to heal and process the jobs that fell short of what they promised to be. I know now that each place had their reasons for their decisions and I respect and wish them all the best. But each job taught me that the field of Speech Therapy needs a serious overturn in their treatment of SLPs. It’s a universal experience for Speech Therapists to feel underpaid, overworked and all around burnt out. At least… I was! Now a year into my practice, even though I’m working more hours than I originally planned, it’s in the best way. I’m making more money than ever before, I found a rejuvenated love for my career and I am valued and respected through my work daily. Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot about running a private practice and contracting independently. It’s been my mission in the last year to help other SLPs find their full potential and feel valued in their career, so I want to share with you all my top tips so that YOU can make the change, too.
5 Tips for Starting a Private Practice
Start small – If you’re able to: start slow and don’t take on a full-time caseload of private clients right away. I started with just a few clients at a time so I could get the hang of things and establish a strong connection with each family. Focus on quality over quantity.
Use LegalZoom for forming your LLC – It makes setting up your LLC or business structure much easier than you think. I was so overwhelmed with this first step, but LegalZoom made it SO easy! It took me not even one night to get my business up and running, and I’m so thankful for LegalZoom. I’m actually an affiliate partner with them, so if you’re looking to start your LLC, use this link to get started! It is an affiliate link, so I may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.
Invest in Canva – I use Canva for EVERYTHING! Marketing, social media posts, and client materials look professional with minimal effort.
Join private practice support groups – The wisdom of those who’ve walked this path is invaluable. It can also feel a little isolating owning a single person private practice, so join a Facebook group for Private Practice SLPs and find your village!
Remember your why – When things get stressful, remembering why you started will keep you going. It can be easy to get bogged down with wanting overnight success for your business, but good things take time. Keep your company’s mission in the front of your mind when you make big decisions and I promise: you’ve got this.
5 Tips for Securing Independent Contracts with School Districts
Don’t reinvent the wheel, use The Therapist Support Network – Elise Mitchell is THE go-to expert on independent contracting. I have been following her business for years and she gave me the confidence to jump out on my own as a contractor. Her course and contracts are invaluable for landing your first solo contract. I’m an affiliate with Elise, so if you’re wanting to take the extra work out of writing a contract and knowing how to contact districts, use her course! Code “BRITTANY” will save you 5% at checkout!
Don’t let big companies scare you into lowering your rate – Know your worth and stand by it. I was so nervous when I started contracting. I thought there was no way little old me could do what these big contract agencies could. But turns out: districts like working with THERAPISTS, not suits. I found that pitching my services myself helped districts know exactly what they were getting, AND I knew exactly what contract I was getting into as well.
Join contracting support groups – Find friends who act as your pseudo coworkers; community matters. Elise’s contracting group on Facebook is so helpful! You can find it here.
Request FOIAs – Did you know that contracts with school districts are available to the public? YEP. You can use the Freedom of Information Act to request former contracts with school districts all over to know what rate previous therapists were receiving, what other agencies are requesting and so much more. Knowledge is power!
Stay organized with SLPnow – As an ADHDer, I need all the help I can get to track sessions, invoices, and schedules efficiently. That’s where SLPNow has saved me! I love them so much I’ve partnered with them to get you 15% off a subscription! Use my code “BRITTANYSLP” at checkout here.
Starting my own private practice wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It gave me control, flexibility, and the ability to serve the kids I love while also creating a sustainable career for myself.
Perhaps my biggest piece of advice for starting your own practice or contracting independently is to find a mentor who can help you every step of the way. I have worked with SLPs and SLPAs to secure their first contracts, set up their LLCs, manage their marketing and build their community. I’d love to help you get your dreams started, too! I offer professional consultations for SLPs and SLPAs. Contact me here to get started today.
If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own practice or contracting independently, know that it’s possible—you just have to take that first step.
This post contains multiple affiliate links. Any qualifying purchases may earn me a small commission. Thank you so much for your support!
