Private Practice Success Stories

My name is Jena Castro-Casbon, MS CCC-SLP (of The Independent Clinician and The Private Practice Solution). I am part of a group of private practitioners who have taken client care into our own hands. We are skilled clinicians who pride ourselves on providing high-quality care to our clients and their families. We are fighting against productivity requirements, administrative red tape and unnecessary restrictions. We started our own private practices to take control of our professional and personal lives. Of our schedules. Of our incomes. Of our future. We work hard for our clients but on our terms. We believe in helping others – but also helping ourselves. We’re not interested in competing with each other. We hope that we all make it. We are successful private practitioners and these are our stories. Thank you for taking the time to listen to this interview.

Private Practice Success Stories is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 300 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Private Practice Success Stories, a business show with 300 episodes published.

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  Episode #386

  She Started at 26 With One Referral - Now She Has a Downtown Office and a 3-Year School Contract with Becca Vilsaint

  Aug 17, 202628 min

  What if you could start your private practice with just one client and let it grow naturally from there? No massive leap of faith, no expensive brick-and-mortar lease just one step at a time. Today’s guest is doing exactly that, and I can’t wait for you to hear her story! I’m so excited to introduce you to Becca Vilsaint, a speech-language pathologist and the owner and founder of Clear Therapy Connections, based in Greenville, South Carolina. Becca has been a student of my Start Your Private Practice program, and I’ve had the privilege of watching her go from no practice to building a thriving business that she loves. What started as curiosity about private practice turned into a flexible, fulfilling career, one that allowed her to launch her business while living abroad and hit the ground running when she returned to the U.S. Becca’s journey proves that you don’t need a grand plan to get started, you just need to take that first step. In this episode, Becca discusses how she leaned into her curiosity, niched down into literacy, and grew her practice through word of mouth, school contracts, and a willingness to try new things. Becca Vilsaint is the founder and CEO of Clear Therapy Connections, a therapist-owned practice providing virtual and in-person speech therapy for school-age children and families across multiple states. She grew her practice from solo clinician to a small agency, balancing private clients, group programs, and school-based services. With a passion for client-centered care and building flexible, supportive teams, Becca shares her journey and the lessons she’s learning while growing her private practice. In Today's Episode, We Discuss: Leaning into curiosity and asking yourself why private practice appeals to you Building a practice while living abroad or during other life transitions How she used a school contract for stability while growing her private clients on the side Why niching into literacy has become her superpower and how she differentiates herself from tutors Becca’s story is proof that you don’t have to have it all figured out to get started. She began with one referral, built slowly, and now has a caseload, a school contract, and big plans for the future. Her journey is a reminder that private practice can look exactly the way you want it to, not the way anyone else says it should. If you're ready to stop waiting and start building a practice that's truly aligned with your goals, Private Practice School is here to help. We start with a Personalized Private Practice Plan and then give you the tools, such as the Life First calendar and our Numbers Made Simple Calculators, and me in your corner every week, whether you're opening the doors or growing what you've already built. Please visit www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more, and follow me on Instagram @independentclinician for more tips, inspiration, and resources to support your private practice journey. Resources Mentioned: Follow Becca on her: Personal Instagram (SLP tips & updates): instagram.com/beccavtheslp/ Business Instagram: instagram.com/cleartherapyconnections/ Facebook (updates & community): facebook.com/cleartherapyconnections LinkedIn (professional & school partnerships): linkedin.com/company/cleartherapyconnections Check out her website: cleartherapyconnections.com Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199 Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/ Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

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  Episode #385

  She Didn't Hate Her Job BUT She Left to Start a Private Practice Anyway with Heather Danielkiewicz

  Aug 10, 202633 min

  What if you could trade the burnout of the school system for a flexible schedule, a slower pace, and time to actually enjoy your work? Today's guest did exactly that and her story is proof that it's never too late to design a career that truly fits you. I'm so excited to introduce you to Heather Danielkiewicz, a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Momma D. SLP, based in Plainwell, Michigan. Heather is also a member of our Next Level program, and let me tell you, her energy, her heart, and her clinical expertise are absolutely inspiring. After nearly two decades in the schools, Heather knew she needed a change. She was burning out, craving flexibility, and longing for space to breathe. Switching to private practice not as a full-time leap, but as a gradual, intentional shift has given her exactly that. Today, she works part-time in the schools and runs her own practice across the street from her home, with a schedule that actually allows her to think, create, and serve her clients the way she's always wanted to. In this episode, Heather shares how she got her start in speech pathology, how one moment literally shined for her as a sign, and why she finally took the leap into private practice. Heather has been an SLP for 24 years, with the majority of her career spent in school-based roles supporting preschool through elementary students. During that time, she developed a deep interest in the connection between oral language and literacy skills and received additional training to support language, writing, and reading development within her SLP role. Her experience also spans inpatient rehabilitation, private practice, and supervising graduate students for several summers at Western Michigan University. She is passionate about collaborative, relationship-centered care, and she is building an integrated private practice focused on meaningful communication and literacy outcomes for children and families. Outside of patient care, Heather is a proud mom who understands firsthand the importance of work-life balance and she's committed to mentoring the next generation of SLPs along the way. In Today's Episode, We Discuss: How a chance encounter with a graduate student and a book changed the trajectory of her career The power of investing in yourself and your business, even when it feels scary How she’s intentionally shrinking her life to create more white space, flexibility, and joy while still serving kids with DLD, autism, and ADHD in a deeply meaningful way Heather's story is such a beautiful reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out to start. You don't have to leave your full-time job overnight. You just have to take one small step and keep listening to what feels right for you and your nervous system. If you're ready to stop waiting and start building a practice that's truly aligned with your goals, Private Practice School is here to help. We start with a Personalized Private Practice Plan and then give you the tools, such as the Life First calendar and our Numbers Made Simple Calculators, and me in your corner every week, whether you're opening the doors or growing what you've already built. Please visit www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more, and follow me on Instagram @independentclinician for more tips, inspiration, and resources to support your private practice journey. Resources Mentioned: Follow Heather on Instagram: instagram.com/mommadslp/ Check out her website: mommadslp.clientsecure.me Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199 Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/ Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

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  Episode #384

  She Needed Mondays and Fridays Off — So She Built a Practice That Gave Her Both with Megan Jimeno

  Aug 3, 202640 min

  What if the worst career news you've ever received turned out to be the push you needed to build the career you actually deserve? Today's guest took an unexpected layoff right before the holidays and turned it into the flexible, fulfilling private practice she never knew she wanted. I can't wait for you to hear her story! I'm thrilled to introduce you to Megan Jimeno, a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist with 23 years of clinical expertise spanning both adult and pediatric populations. She is the owner and founder of Winsome Speech, a mobile private practice based in Spokane, Washington. Megan's journey hasn't been a straight line. She started in inpatient rehab and skilled nursing, where she fell in love with giving a voice to those often lost in the system—but she hated the productivity demands and the "machine" of Medicare. She eventually switched to pediatrics and spent nine years at a small clinic, building deep relationships with families and even creating an in-school program that served kids during the school day. Then, just two weeks before Christmas in 2025, everything changed. She received an email letting her know the clinic was closing its doors by February. With a daughter at home, a father-in-law to care for, and a caseload of kids she didn't want to abandon, Megan had a choice: find another employer who would fit her strict schedule, or bet on herself and start her own practice. In March of 2026, after the unexpected closure of the clinic she had been with for 9 years, she took a leap of faith to launch her own mobile practice, bringing specialized therapy directly to children in homes, private schools, and daycares. In this episode, Megan discusses how she navigated the terrifying leap into business ownership even though she'll be the first to tell you she is no expert in business and is figuring it out as she goes. Outside of patient care, Megan is a mom, a caretaker, and an advocate for believing in yourself, even when the path feels impossible. In Today's Episode, We Discuss: What to do when you’re forced into private practice and have no time to overthink it The power of staying mobile and using a “cloffice” to keep expenses low How she strategically balances private pay and insurance-based clients while protecting her flexibility Megan is truly proof that you don't need to have a decade-long dream or a business background to build a successful practice. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath, look at what you've created, and say: "Wow. This is mine. I did that." If you're ready to stop waiting and start building a practice that's truly aligned with your goals, Private Practice School is here to help. We start with a Personalized Private Practice Plan and then give you the tools, such as the Life First calendar and our Numbers Made Simple Calculators, and me in your corner every week, whether you're opening the doors or growing what you've already built. Please visit www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more, and follow me on Instagram @independentclinician for more tips, inspiration, and resources to support your private practice journey. Resources Mentioned: Follow Megan on: Facebook: facebook.com/share/1DnHTeFwjc/ Instagram: instagram.com/winsomespeech/ Check out her website: winsomespeech.com Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199 Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/ Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

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  Episode #383

  From Ready to Sell to Thriving Again: Building a Practice Through Injury with Karissa Gussmann

  Jul 27, 202650 min

  What if your biggest setback became your greatest catalyst for growth? Today's guest turned a traumatic brain injury into a turning point that transformed her private practice and her life. I'm so excited to share her story with you! I'm introducing you to Karissa Gussmann, a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder of Speech Pathways of St. Johns, a private speech and occupational therapy clinic serving Jacksonville and St. Johns, Florida. Since becoming an SLP in 2011, Karissa has dedicated her career to helping children, teens, adults, and families discover the power of communication. With a background in psychology and speech-language pathology, she blends evidence-based practices with a holistic, family-centered approach that focuses on the whole person, not just a diagnosis. Karissa specializes in supporting individuals with complex communication needs, including autism, apraxia, AAC, developmental delays, speech and language disorders, fluency disorders, and neurological conditions. She believes that communication is so much more than words; it is connection, confidence, independence, and the ability to share who you are with the world. After working across medical, educational, and private practice settings in both New Jersey and Florida, Karissa founded Speech Pathways with the vision of creating a place where families feel supported, children feel celebrated, and therapy is individualized to each person’s unique pathway. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Monmouth University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University. She is a proud member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in Florida and New Jersey. Today, Karissa is still treating, has an incredible clinical director, is converting team members to W-2 employees, and is finally understanding her numbers through KPIs. Her journey is proof that private practice is not for the weak but for those who believe in their purpose, it's absolutely worth it. Outside of being an SLP and business owner, Karissa’s favorite roles are being a wife and mom to her two boys. Her mission, both professionally and personally, is helping others recognize their strengths, find their voice, and “kiss your brain” along the way. In Today's Episode, We Discuss: How a parent's offhand comment started it all Growing a clinic one room at a time, on purpose Building through a TBI, nearly losing it all, and finding a reason to keep going What happened when she realized she couldn't be her own clinical director Why community has been the secret ingredient behind everything she's built Karissa is truly living proof that even when the world stops, you can keep going. She didn't have a vision for a big practice, she just had a heart for the mission. And that was enough to build something extraordinary. Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can build the private practice of your dreams even when life throws you curveballs. Want to build your private practice to the point where YOU can weather any storm and thrive just like Karissa has? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice where our coaches can help you set up systems as you shift from clinician to CEO. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com Or, if you already have an existing private practice and you're ready to take it to the next level we'd love to support you inside the Next Level Private Practitioner. You can learn more at www.nextlevelprivatepractitioner.com . Whether you want to start 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. Resources Mentioned: Follow Karissa on Instagram: instagram.com/speechpathways_stjohns/ Facebook: facebook.com/SpeechPathwaysofStJohns/ Check out her website: SpeechPathwayssj.com Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199 Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/ Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

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  Episode #382

  From Travel Therapy to Two-and-a-Half Days a Week: How Carly Built a Practice Around Her Life with Carly Kloack

  Jul 20, 202627 min

  What if you could build a private practice that fits your life and not the other way around? Today’s guest is using her private practice to see medically complex clients of all ages on her own terms. And her story might just be the push you’ve been waiting for. I’m excited to introduce you to Carly Kloack, a speech-language pathologist and the owner and founder of Climbing Mountains Therapies in Denver, Colorado. Carly has specialized interests and experience in medically complex therapeutic services for feeding, swallowing, neurodevelopment, speech, language, and cognitive-communication. She has worked with a comprehensive age range including infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. After years of moving across the country every few months as a travel therapist during the pandemic, Carly knew she wanted two things: variety and flexibility. She loved working with both adults and pediatrics, from acute care to infant feeding. But she didn’t love the lack of control over her own schedule. So she started her private practice — on the side, with word-of-mouth referrals, and a whole lot of courage. In this episode, Carly discusses how she started her practice without quitting her day job, why she’s doubling down on a niche, and why her biggest piece of advice is simply: just do it. Outside of patient care, Carly loves the variety that comes with her schedule and is grateful to her patient’s mom, a website designer who helped build her practice’s website. In her free time, she enjoys being back in Colorado, close to family and the mountains she grew up loving. In Today's Episode, We Discuss: How travel therapy prepared her to think creatively about her career The power of saying “yes” when referrals come from unexpected places Why she chose to build a part-time practice that works with her hospital job, not instead of it How she’s building a referral network in Denver where SLPs send each other the clients they’re not the best fit for Carly is truly proof that you don’t have to quit your job, go all in overnight, or have a decade of business experience to start. She took it step by step, kept the variety she loved, and built a practice that actually fits her life and not the other way around. Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can achieve the career of your dreams if you simply start taking steps to get there. Want to build your private practice to the point where YOU control your schedule just like Carly has? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice Program, where Carly got the legal and logistical guidance she needed to set up her practice the right way. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com . Or, if you already have an existing private practice and you're ready to take it to the next level we'd love to support you inside the Next Level Private Practitioner. You can learn more at www.nextlevelprivatepractitioner.com . Whether you want to start 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. Resources Mentioned: Follow Carly on Instagram: instagram.com/climbingmountainstherapiesllc/ Facebook: Climbing Mountains Therapies LLC Check out her website: climbingmountainstherapies.com Where We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199 Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/ Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/

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