What if your previous career—completely unrelated to therapy—held the exact keys you needed to unlock a successful private practice? For Denise Smith, running an auto body shop taught her the administrative, financial, and client-relations skills that gave her the confidence to launch Speak Up Speech Therapy in Southern California.

Denise is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience whose journey to private practice was anything but linear. Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, she discovered the field almost by accident when university programs reopened after war. What began as a curious joke with friends became a lifelong calling after she moved to the United States.

Denise is also the co-host of the Heal Yourself Podcast, where she and her co-host lead powerful conversations on self-healing, emotional mastery, and elevating your relationship with yourself from the inside out.

After years as a school-based SLP, Denise never saw herself as a business owner. But a pivotal stint managing her then-husband’s auto shop—handling scheduling, insurance claims, invoices, and client complaints—became her unexpected training ground. She looked in the mirror and realized, “Why am I not doing this for me?”

Her turning point came on a walk past a neighbor’s house—a neighbor who happened to be a special education coordinator. Denise asked how to get on the list for Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs). That simple question started a domino effect: her first contract led to school referrals, which gave her the foundation to build a practice intentionally designed around her life, not the other way around.

With a focus on school contracts, IEEs, and private clients, Denise has created what she calls a “lifestyle practice.” It’s a model built on freedom and flexibility, allowing her to heal her nervous system, prioritize her daughter’s competitive dance schedule, and travel—all while serving a population she loves.

1. How running an auto shop gave her the unexpected confidence to start her own practice
2. Why she ditched perfection and chose progress with purpose
3. What it’s like to build a mobile, flexible “lifestyle” practice while navigating divorce and deep personal healing
4. How she makes income from school contracts, private pay clients, and independent evaluations — without burning out

Denise’s story is a powerful reminder that your path to private practice doesn’t have to look traditional. By trusting her unique journey and leveraging all of her experiences, she designed a business that supports her life, family, and well-being first.

Ready to explore what a lifestyle practice could look like for you? Whether you’re just starting to consider private practice or looking to grow an existing one, the right guidance can help you build the freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment you deserve — just like Denise has. The Grow Your Private Practice Program gives you the coaching and guidance to scale your private practice. Learn more at www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to Start or Grow a private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit

What if the path you thought you were on could lead you somewhere completely unexpected—and completely fulfilling? That’s exactly what happened for San Juanita Reed, founder of Thriving Roots Speech Therapy in Houston, Texas.

What started as a teaching career to children eventually blossomed into a thriving private practice, where San Juanita now serves children and adults with a wide range of speech therapy needs.

San Juanita’s journey into speech-language pathology began in the classroom. She spent years teaching preschool and working with infants and toddlers, but she often found herself wondering how she could do more to help her students. A chance encounter with a speech-language pathologist opened her eyes to a new path—one that combined her love of working with children with the desire to make a deeper impact on their lives. After navigating personal tragedy and taking a detour to care for herself, she pursued a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and began her career in outpatient therapy and home health.

Over time, San Juanita realized that while she loved helping children and families, traditional employment was limiting her growth and contributing to burnout. She began exploring private practice, and with guidance from the Start Your Private Practice Program, she discovered she could create a business that aligned with her skills, values, and life goals.

When San Juanita officially launched Thriving Roots Speech Therapy, she approached it with the same careful planning she applies in therapy. She set clear monthly goals, broke them down into actionable steps, and dedicated time to focus on building her practice without distractions. Her first patient inquiries came in on launch day—a perfect reminder that preparation and persistence pay off.

1. The moment she knew burnout wasn’t just fatigue — it was a sign to pursue private practice
2. How she broke her big goals into tiny steps to make them achievable
3. What happened the day her first patient inquiry came in after launching
4. How she finally reclaimed joy, purpose, and ownership by being in full control of her practice and her life

San Juanita’s story shows that starting a private practice doesn’t require prior business experience or big-city connections—it requires courage, planning, and a willingness to take small, consistent steps. By leading with her heart and putting education and value first, she built a thriving practice that aligns with her purpose and allows her to maintain balance and boundaries.

Ready to take control of your career and create your own private practice? The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the roadmap, resources, and support to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow, it’s possible to build a practice that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and the ability to make a real difference—just like San Juanita. Visit www.IndependentClinician.com to learn more.

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What if you could build a private practice with your spouse, create flexibility for your family, and serve your community at the same time? That’s exactly what Morgan and Connor Randel have done with their private practice, Speak, Play, Love, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Morgan has been a speech-language pathologist for 8 years in which she had the privilege working with diverse infants, toddlers, and school age children. Her passion for working with kids started when she was just 12, babysitting and dreaming of a career helping children. After exploring teaching and nursing, she discovered speech pathology in college—a perfect blend of her interests. Connor, her husband, brought a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit and a background in finance and accounting. Together, they realized they could combine their skills to create something truly unique.

After moving to Charlotte and navigating the challenges of finding her first job as a new graduate, Morgan started working as an independent contractor. She began to see firsthand the possibilities of private practice. When Morgan became pregnant with their first child, she and Connor decided it was the perfect time to take the leap—launching Speak, Play, Love while growing their family.

Starting small, Morgan began seeing 5–10 clients a week, primarily through existing relationships with local daycares. By the time they had their second child, their practice had grown to 18 clients and 26 weekly sessions. Connor stepped in to manage the business side—billing, onboarding, and growth strategy—allowing Morgan to focus on therapy and client care.

Over the next several months, Morgan and Connor continued to hire therapists, expand services, and grow their caseload. By creating a mobile-based practice, they kept overhead low, maximized their reach across Charlotte, and made therapy accessible to families who might otherwise face barriers to care.

Morgan and Connor’s story highlights the power of partnership. Morgan leads in therapy and client care, while Connor manages the business operations and growth. Their complementary skills, mutual trust, and shared vision allow them to operate a practice that works for their family, serves the community, and supports other therapists in their professional growth.

• Transitioning from traditional employment to private practice while starting a family
• Building a mobile-based practice to serve the community efficiently
• Partnering with a spouse to balance business growth and personal life
• Hiring and onboarding therapists to scale services without sacrificing quality
• Creating systems that allow for flexibility, sustainability, and growth

Morgan and Connor’s journey is a reminder that private practice is more than just a job—it’s about designing a life. By combining their strengths, embracing the challenges, and thinking creatively about their model, they’ve built a thriving practice that supports their family, their clients, and their therapists.

If you’re ready to create a private practice that works for you and your family—whether solo or with a partner—the Start Your Private Practice Program can give you the tools and step-by-step guidance to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to start a practice, grow an existing one, or explore unique practice models, Morgan and Connor’s story shows that with vision, support, and...

What if you could start building a private practice this January—without quitting your job or working 60-hour weeks?

On today’s episode of the Private Practice Success Stories podcast, I want to start with an important truth: you don’t have to grow fast, go all in, or do it alone.

Today, I’m walking you through what a simple, life-aligned private practice can actually look like, and why now is one of the smartest times to take your first step. If you’re a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist and feel overwhelmed by what you think private practice is supposed to look like, this episode is for you.

Plus, I’ll tell you about something brand new starting next week: the Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp—our free 3-day event designed to help you go from curious to confident about whether private practice is right for you in 2026 and beyond.

• What a simple, life-aligned private practice can actually look like
• Why right now is a really smart time to take your first step
• Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp

Starting small with one client, virtual sessions, or weekend hours isn't a compromise—it's a brilliant strategy. It creates financial breathing room, professional confidence, and a clear path forward on your terms.

If you've been waiting for a sign to explore private practice without pressure, this is it.

Ready to take your first step with clarity? Join me for the free Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp. In just three days, you'll go from curious to confident with a real plan. Register now at PlanYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to Start or Grow a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.

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What if private practice wasn’t about escaping burnout — but about creating stability, flexibility, and breathing room in an increasingly unpredictable world?

This year, many clinicians felt the pressure. Workloads increased while pay stayed the same. Financial uncertainty lingered. And more people began asking a hard but honest question: Is this sustainable for the next one, two, or five years? If you’ve been wondering that too, you’re not imagining it.

The system is shifting. And what I've seen firsthand from hundreds of practice owners in 2025 tells me something important: private practice is becoming a mainstream strategy for creating stability, flexibility, and breathing room in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable.

• Five major shifts I’ve seen in private practice in 2025
• What they actually mean for you
• How you can think about your next step

This episode is a reminder that private practice doesn’t require burning down your life or a dramatic leap. You don’t need everything figured out. You need clarity, a plan, and permission to move forward.

The most successful transitions I’ve witnessed this year started small, slow, and thoughtful—not from desperation, but from intention.

As we head into 2026, I invite you to take a breath and start imagining what a private practice designed for you could look like.

Want to know more on how we can work together at all stages of the private practice journey? Visit PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more.

Whether you want to Start or Grow a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

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What if you could create a private practice that fits your lifestyle, allows you to work from anywhere, and gives you the freedom to serve families in a way that truly works? That’s exactly what Christina Burnham did when she founded CloudSpeech, a fully virtual teletherapy practice serving clients across multiple states. Christina is a bilingual speech-language pathologist who began her career in the public schools in a district in Houston, Texas.

Christina offers a fully virtual pediatric speech therapy across California, New York, and Texas. Christina specializes in pediatric speech sound disorders for kids 4 years and up, including childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), phonological delays, and late articulation sounds R-S-L. Her approach is dynamic, engaging, and culturally responsive—designed to help children build real-world communication skills through personalized care across the screen.

Christina’s pivot to teletherapy became even more timely with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many clinicians were forced online, she had already been thinking critically about how to deliver therapy effectively through technology. This foresight positioned her to thrive in a world suddenly reliant on virtual services. Through careful planning, Christina also tackled the challenge of time zones. Licensed in California, New York, and Texas, she structured her schedule to meet the needs of families in multiple states while maintaining her own balance.

While many teletherapy providers rely on larger companies or complicated insurance systems, Christina built systems that allow her to take insurance when needed, but mostly operate independently, creating a high-quality experience for families.

Christina’s journey demonstrates that private practice is not just about serving clients—it’s about creating a practice that works for you, your life, and your values. By embracing teletherapy, strategically expanding across states, and prioritizing her own boundaries, Christina has built a thriving, sustainable practice that supports families and gives her the autonomy she always wanted.

1. Taking the leap into private practice with just five years of clinical experience
2. Building a teletherapy model that works for her, her clients, and their families
3. Strategically obtaining licenses in multiple states to maximize flexibility
4. Balancing work-life boundaries while serving a wide-ranging caseload

Christina’s story is a reminder that private practice isn’t just about leaving a job—it’s about designing a career that aligns with your goals, values, and lifestyle. By following her instincts, learning through trial and error, and building a mission-centered practice, she created the freedom to be the clinician—and the person—she wanted to be.

If you want to create a private practice that allows you to work from anywhere, serve families effectively, and maintain your personal balance, Christina’s journey is proof that it’s possible. The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the tools and guidance to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to

Have you ever wondered if your love for music and voice could turn into a thriving private practice? Today’s guest shows us it’s possible—and how to do it while keeping flexibility and control over your life.

Joining me is Rachel Goldenberg, a speech-language pathologist, clinical voice specialist, and singing teacher based in Montclair, New Jersey. Rachel’s private practice, My Inspired Voice, combines her passion for singing with her expertise in voice therapy, helping clients with everything from vocal health to respiratory challenges.

In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from opera-obsessed child to clinical voice expert, how she built a private practice that fits her family and lifestyle, and her tips for anyone ready to take the leap into private practice.

Rachel’s love for music started early. She began piano lessons at 7 and memorized operas like Carmen and Tosca by age 12, performing them dramatically in her living room. She went on to study at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she fell in love with the science of the voice, learning from pioneers in vocal pedagogy.

Her career took her through teaching, research on singing and respiratory health, and work with clients with lung disease in Canada. Along the way, she realized that to help clients fully, she needed to expand her skills, which led her to pursue speech-language pathology. Now, her dissertation focused on the use of singing lessons as an adjunctive airway clearance technique for adult cystic fibrosis patients.

Through all these experiences, Rachel’s passion for voice never wavered—but she also learned the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and following the right opportunities when they appear.

• How her passion for singing led her into voice therapy
• What it was like to return to grad school during COVID
• How she built her private practice and referral network
• Why flexibility has been essential for her family

With her practice, Rachel has full control over her schedule, enabling her to see clients during traditional hours, early mornings, or late evenings, while still making time for her children and other priorities. Her story is a perfect example of how passion, expertise, and a willingness to take the leap can create a private practice that’s both fulfilling and flexible.

Whether you’re interested in voice, pediatrics, or another specialty, her journey shows that with the right mindset, mentorship, and action, you can build a practice that fits your life and allows you to thrive both professionally and personally.

Ready to take control of your career and start your own private practice—just like Rachel did? The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the roadmap, resources, and support to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you’re just starting or ready to grow, I can help you create a practice that gives you freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. Visit www.IndependentClinician.com to learn more.

Follow Rachel on Instagram: instagram.com/myinspiredvoiceslp/

Check out her website:

Have you ever wondered how starting your own private practice could bring vital services to families who need them most? Today’s guest proves that with determination, planning, and support, it’s not only possible—it can be life-changing for your community.

Joining me is Alaina Verkinnes, a speech language pathologist and owner of Minnesota Speech Therapy Solutions in Princeton, Minnesota. Over the past two years, Alaina has built a successful practice that meets a critical need in her community, providing accessible speech therapy to families who previously faced long drives or lengthy waitlists.

In this episode, Alaina shares her journey from school-based SLP to private practice owner, the challenges of balancing family and business, and the strategies she used to grow her caseload and make a real impact in her community.

Alaina has been a speech-language pathologist for over 15 years, gaining experience in private practice, home visits, and school-based early intervention. Early in her career, she discovered a passion for AAC, a specialty that few others wanted to take on. This expertise, along with her collaborative approach, laid the foundation for her thriving private practice today.

The idea to start her own practice came from her husband, who noticed her growing burnout while balancing a school SLP job and parenting two young children. Seeking to better serve families and maintain work-life balance, Alaina gradually built her practice while still working part-time in schools. She opened her private practice in 2022, serving a mix of pediatric clients and collaborating with local schools to ensure children receive the support they need.

As the only speech therapy provider in her area, Alaina has made a meaningful impact—families no longer travel long distances for care, and younger children benefit from home visits and natural-environment sessions. Alaina’s story shows that starting a private practice is about more than leaving a job—it’s about designing a life that balances professional fulfillment with family priorities, taking things step-by-step, and seeking support when needed.

• How her years of experience prepared her for private practice much more than she expected
• Why being “voluntold” to learn AAC ended up shaping her clinical passion and niche
• The moment her husband encouraged her to finally go for it
• What it was really like handling billing and insurance solo
• How serving a rural town opened up opportunities she never imagined

Whether you’re wondering if now is the right time to start your private practice, or if you’re nervous about building something from scratch, Alaina’s story is proof that it’s possible to make it work—no matter your location or circumstances. She shows that success comes from taking small steps, leaning on support, and prioritizing relationships and community needs.

Want to build a private practice that gives you freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment—just like Alaina has? The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the tools and guidance to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to Start or Grow a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and...