Question
Where can I find info. about beginning a private practice?
Answer
It is critical that you obtain information about private practice prior to making the decision to enter that service delivery setting. Private practice has the lure of independence and the potential for significant income, but it also has a great many obvious and hidden pitfalls. You should consider some basic questions and your answers in at least two areas--personal and business as you make your decision about becoming a private practitioner.
Ask yourself:
Do I enjoy working alone, or do I enjoy collaborative working environments?
Do I have the knowledge and skills to work independently, or do I need some professional support and supervision?
Do I have the skills to manage the stress of owning a private practice?
Do I have an understanding of the people and the community in which I would operate a private practice?
Some business questions should include:
Do I know the need for private practice services in the community in which I would operate?
What is the financial climate of the community in which I would operate a private practice? Are there small business support groups and advisors in the community to whom I could turn for advice?
What are the financial requirements for starting and maintaining a private practice? What types of payments and reimbursement schedules could the practice support?
What are my long-range financial needs, including retirement and benefits?
These are only a few of the questions a prospective private practitioner should ask him/herself. Luckily, there are many resources available to professionals who are considering the venture. Here are a few resources that provide additional information and references on private practice:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, www.asha.org
Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology, www.aappspa.org
BioSketch: Dr. Paula S. Currie has been a speech-language pathologist for more than 25 years. She is currently the Head of the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Southeastern Louisiana University. She co-owned and managed in large, metropolitan private practice for 12 years. Her areas of expertise include language and literacy, augmentative communication, and evaluation of communication disorders. She can be reached at pcurrie@selu.edu.
Paula S. Currie, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Head/Program Director Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders Southeastern Louisiana University P.O. Box 10879 500 Western Ave. Hammond, La 70402 Voice 985-549-2214; FAX 985-549-5030 https://www.selu.edu/csd
Margaret Fish, MS, CCC-SLP
Margaret is a speech-language pathologist working in private practice in Highland Park, Illinois, with over 30 years experience as a pediatric SLP. Her primary professional interests are in the areas of children’s speech sound disorders, language disorders, and social language development. Margaret is the author of the book, Here’s How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech, now in its Second Edition. She is a frequently invited speaker at local, state, and national workshops. Her workshops and writing focus on providing practical, evidence-based ideas to support clinicians working with children with CAS. Margaret serves on the Professional Advisory Board for the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) and is a topic area advisor for the SpeechPathology.com Advisory Board.
Related Courses
1https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/textbook-here-s-to-treat-10674Textbook: Here’s How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech: 3rd EditionBased on the textbook Here’s How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): Third Edition, this course discusses the most current research regarding the nature of CAS, best practices in evaluation, and effective treatment approaches, along with considerations related to motor learning and co-occurring challenges. It provides a holistic overview of the complex needs of children with CAS at various stages of development.textual, visual
Based on the textbook Here’s How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): Third Edition, this course discusses the most current research regarding the nature of CAS, best practices in evaluation, and effective treatment approaches, along with considerations related to motor learning and co-occurring challenges. It provides a holistic overview of the complex needs of children with CAS at various stages of development.
2https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/treatment-approach-considerations-for-school-9472Treatment Approach Considerations for School-Aged Children with Speech Sound DisordersThis course will address the theoretical underpinnings and research base related to differential diagnosis and treatment of articulation and phonological deficits in children with speech sound disorders. Special considerations for how to tailor evaluation and intervention to meet the needs of school-age children will be discussed.auditory, textual, visual
This course will address the theoretical underpinnings and research base related to differential diagnosis and treatment of articulation and phonological deficits in children with speech sound disorders. Special considerations for how to tailor evaluation and intervention to meet the needs of school-age children will be discussed.
3https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/ripple-effect-stuttering-community-based-9217The Ripple Effect of Stuttering: A Community-Based ApproachThis is Part 2 of a four-part series. The stuttering experience has a ripple effect that extends far beyond the child who stutters. Parents, teachers, peers, and others must possess both knowledge and skills to best support children who stutter. This course will highlight new clinical tools and resources to provide a community-based treatment approach for stuttering. (Part 1 - Course 9278, Part 3 - Course 9301, Part 4 - Course 9304)auditory, textual, visual
This is Part 2 of a four-part series. The stuttering experience has a ripple effect that extends far beyond the child who stutters. Parents, teachers, peers, and others must possess both knowledge and skills to best support children who stutter. This course will highlight new clinical tools and resources to provide a community-based treatment approach for stuttering. (Part 1 - Course 9278, Part 3 - Course 9301, Part 4 - Course 9304)
4https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/behavioral-frameworks-for-dementia-management-9473Behavioral Frameworks for Dementia ManagementThis course will focus on cognitive-communication intervention strategies for various dementia presentations and will provide a review of evidence-based treatment. Behavioral frameworks along with their rationales will be introduced and applied across several dementia types and mild, moderate and severe levels of impairment.auditory, textual, visual
This course will focus on cognitive-communication intervention strategies for various dementia presentations and will provide a review of evidence-based treatment. Behavioral frameworks along with their rationales will be introduced and applied across several dementia types and mild, moderate and severe levels of impairment.
5https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/20q-infection-control-strategies-for-972920Q: Infection Control Strategies for SLPsSpeech-language pathologists are expected by policy authorities to apply appropriate measures to protect patients, co-workers and themselves in clinical situations that may expose individuals to infectious microbes. This article provides practical guidelines for implementing infection control principles within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including discussion of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting and cleaning products.textual, visual
Speech-language pathologists are expected by policy authorities to apply appropriate measures to protect patients, co-workers and themselves in clinical situations that may expose individuals to infectious microbes. This article provides practical guidelines for implementing infection control principles within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including discussion of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting and cleaning products.
