This guest post is from Angela C. Pierce of Waltham, MA You'll find additional private practice success stories by clicking here.
Two days a week, I worked in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment, treating pediatric clients with OTs, side by side. As the practice’s needs increased, I was unable to be available for the amount of hours they needed so we amicably said our goodbyes. The owners of the practice were generous enough to allow one of clients with whom I’ve had the longest lasting relationship with, leave with me if they so decided to leave their practice. At the time, I felt strange soliciting myself privately to clients and didn’t know quite what to do. I was excited by the prospect of having a private client but with those feelings of excitement came a wave of anxiety…how do I do this? What do I charge? Do I charge for travel? Am I really good enough?! Sure enough, on the second to last session with my client, I mentioned to the parent that I would be leaving the practice. Without hesitation at all, the parent asked if I would be willing to travel to their home to continue treating the child. I did my best to keep my most interested yet professional face on. I told her I would let her know the following week my availability and rate and come up with a contract for us. Within a week, I decided to make my rate $90. I wanted it to be $100 as I knew that the parent had been paying even more than this out of pocket at the private practice (and this family was from a wealthy suburb) but I felt this amount was fair (since it was my first and I still wasn’t that confident in myself). I stayed with this family for a year and a half. We parted ways after we decided the home setting was no longer the best place for treatment. After this, I have had a few clients here and there find me from the ASHA registry. |
Angela C. Pierce, MS CCC/SLP is a highly skilled speech and language pathologist in the MetroWest Boston area who has 11 years of experience with pediatrics in both educational and clinical settings. She has over 3 years of experience with adult outpatient rehabilitation. She has a broad range of expertise, and is especially skilled in early language development, language learning disabilities, social communication, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and augmentative communication. http://express-it.yolasite.com/ |
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