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The Pediatric Speech Sister Show Podcast empowers speech-language pathologists and educators to build the foundation for culturally responsive practice. Join host, Melanie, a certified speech-language pathologist, certified mindset and abundance coach, and certified soul purpose coach, as she explores critical conversations around human rights, social justice, ethics, critical race theory, intercultural communication, and the nuances of linguistic diversity.
This show is your one-stop shop for expanding your cultural responsiveness. Expect a mix of solo deep dives and replays of live interviews with amazing guests. Want to see the full interviews? Head over to The Pediatric Speech Sister Network on Youtube!
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this show is for you. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all children.
And especially as a business owner, and people are looking for that. I remember when I was in probably middle school and even high school, I wasn't out yet, but and and this was like in the nineties. Yeah. Nineties. I was always looking for those, like, ally symbols or anything like that.
Jena (Guest):The teachers, like, outside the teachers' offices or, like that kind of thing. I was always looking for symbols of people who, like, would be a safe person. And so I think that we have a I don't know if responsibility is the right word, but I think it's great if you are able to be out to do so because you never know what younger person is really looking for just even one other person to to confide in or to talk to or just or to look up to. Right?
Melanie (Host):Welcome back to the pediatric Speech Sisters Show podcast. This is the place where we build the foundation for culturally responsive practice, empowering speech language pathologists and educators to serve multicultural populations with confidence. I'm your host, Melanie Evans. I am a certified speech language pathologist and certified sole purpose coach and abundance mindset coach. In each episode, we'll explore critical conversations around human rights, social justice, ethics, and so much more.
Melanie (Host):We'll unpack the nuances of linguistic diversity, delve into critical race theory, and equip you with the tools to navigate intercultural communication with ease. This show is a nice mix of solo episodes where I dive deep into specific topics and replays of our live interviews where we get real with amazing guests. If you want to see the full interviews, head over to the pediatric speech sister show network on YouTube. I'll put the link in the show note. Whether you're a seasoned speech English pathologist, a passionate educator, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, this show is for you.
Melanie (Host):Let's empower ourselves and each each other to create a more inclusive and equitable world for our children and the people who we work with. Stay tuned. Welcome back to the pediatric speech Saturdays live. I am so excited to have here Jenna Castro Kasbaum. She is the owner and founder of The Independent Clinician, and I'm definitely fangirling Jenna because I am a part of Independent Clinician.
Melanie (Host):And you have just been just a blessing, honestly, and I'm sure that many speech pathologists can say the same. And just having you around, even with your free products and just, honestly, your whole essence. Letting people know that they can start their own private practices, that they don't have to be stuck in their school base or their, outpatient positions or hospital positions. So I'm so excited to learn from you and hear about your story. It is pride month, so I know that you are also out and openly gay.
Melanie (Host):And I know that right now we're in times where, thank God, people are more inclusive when it comes to the LGBTQ community, but at the same time, there are those who have really had the triumphs. And so I wanted to know your story and how you triumphed and became an entrepreneur who you are today.
Jena (Guest):Yeah. I'm an open book, so happy to share, and thank you so much for having me on the show.
Melanie (Host):Absolutely. So, Jenna, I'm gonna go ahead and ask you to introduce yourself, And if you can let us know your why did you get started?
Jena (Guest):Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. So my name is Jenna Castro Casbon. I'm a speech pathologist.
Jena (Guest):I live right outside of Boston, Massachusetts 20 years. And when I first started actually, that's not true. 18 years. I'm also no good at math. When I first started in the field, I got my dream job working at a rehabilitation hospital.
Jena (Guest):I'm an I I know you like peds. I like adults. But I wanted to to work in an outpatient facility, and I was really lucky to have that as my CF. And then I stayed there for a couple years, but it was actually it was right after my CF, about 9 months post CF that I got my first opportunity to work with a private client. And it was something that I had never thought about.
Jena (Guest):I'd thought about private practice maybe way later, 20 years, 30 years, whatever, when I was older and ready. But this opportunity came by, and I remember 2 of my colleagues were talking to me about it, and they said, why don't you do it? And I remember looking at them and being like, I'm 26. Like, I'm I think I'm too young to do this. And they're like, if you have an opportunity and if they asked you to work with them, then clearly, like, they believe in you, and so you should do it.
Jena (Guest):And they had both had private practices when they were more like my age at the time. I think they were maybe in their forties. And I also called my dad. My dad's a businessman, and he always wanted me to go into business. And so when I told him, dad, I I don't wanna be a business person.
Jena (Guest):I'm a helping people person, and I wanna be a speech therapist. He's, well, maybe one day you'll have a business. And so I was like, oh god, dad. Okay. Maybe.
Jena (Guest):But again, like, later in my career. So when I called my dad and I said, dad, I have this chance to see a private client. What do you think? And he was like, oh my gosh. Go for it.
Jena (Guest):What a great opportunity. Like, you should say yes. And so I did, and it was an amazing experience. And I got started seeing private clients on the side of my job at the hospital, which was really important because that dream job was quickly turning out not to be the dream job that I thought it was going to be. And seeing private clients gave me an outlet.
Jena (Guest):It allowed me to be my own boss if only for a few hours a week and see private clients that I absolutely loved. And what I ended up doing was basically like learning as much as I could, and then people started asking me how I was doing it. And so I shared with the people who I knew, like, in person, but then I started to realize, wow, I bet you there's other SLPs, like, on the Internet who might wanna know this stuff too. And so I started a company called the Independent Clinician back in 2008. So I've been doing this for a really long time.
Jena (Guest):And I just started walking people step by step through the process in the same way that I had wished that someone had walked me step by step through the process because we don't really learn about this stuff in grad school. And SLPs love to fall like, are more rule followers. Right? And people love to follow plans and cross their, t's and dot their i's and everything else. And so that's basically what I do.
Jena (Guest):I I help SLPs and and now OTs start and grow private practices step by step.
Melanie (Host):That is a fabulous story, one thing some things that came up for me is I might have been one of the few programs. I went to Howard and so they do have a private practice program there. Of course, you kind of go through it. Thank God. I at least had that business plan down as part of the project that we had, but at the end of the day, it's a class while you're going through your clinical externships and all of those things.
Melanie (Host):So when I graduated, just what you said, it always seemed like it was down the road. Okay. Eventually I'll start. That's let me just get more experience under my belt. So I want to ask you, from your experience and after coaching, how many people have you coached?
Jena (Guest):So in in the start your private practice program, which is our beginner level program, we've had almost 27100, people come through that program. So in that specific program, I'll say 27100. But, like, total, hard to tell, like, 1,000 or even more 1,000 than that. Lots.
Melanie (Host):So from those 1,000, can you think of the top reasons why people are scared or hesitant to start their own private practices?
Jena (Guest):Yes. Absolutely. It, the number one reason comes down to self doubt. So it's not even about, everyone loves to get their ducks in a row. No one wants to make a mistake.
Jena (Guest):People use a lot of practical reasons why they can't do it. Right? Oh, I have kids. I can't do it. Or I don't wanna let go of my steady pay and benefits or my pension.
Jena (Guest):And those are really good reasons. Like, I'm not trying to minimize those reasons at all, but what I'm trying to help people see is that you can do a part time private practice on the side of your job. So you don't have to go with study without study pay and benefits, right? You can keep your regular job and then basically add a, like everyone's into multiple streams of income these days. And so seeing private clients is like adding another stream of income.
Jena (Guest):So I'd say that a lot of times people say things like, I don't wanna make any mistakes. I don't wanna end up in SLP jail. I get that one a lot. And I'm like, okay. No problem.
Jena (Guest):Like, I can teach you, like, all of the things you can put in place so you're set up, like, legally and everything. But no matter what, I think that a a lot of those, like, practical reasons why people say that they can't do it are I'm gonna use the word excuses, but I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean that in a way, like, it it's a way to say, I can't do that. But what really what they're often saying is, I don't know that I'm ready or that I would be a good business person or I don't have a business background. I don't have experience because SLPs are wonderful people and no one wants to make a mistake.
Jena (Guest):No one wants to do something wrong, and and I appreciate that. But the alternative is that there's a lot of people trying to DIY their way through private and guess their way through private practice. And I see a lot of people posting things in Facebook groups, including my free Facebook group, and I'm just like, that's not the way to do it. Or if you just let me show you exactly how to do this, we can save so much time and money versus struggling to figure stuff out and accidentally skipping steps.
Melanie (Host):Yes. Thank you for that. I like how you said SLPJAM. I'm like, what is it? What exactly does that mean?
Melanie (Host):But you're right. That's scary. We have the when we're in the schools or if we're if we have our regular job, we have the security of that company. So even with malpractice insurance and everything, so to speak, if we get sued, it's not us getting sued. It's the company getting sued.
Melanie (Host):And we don't want our face on an ASHA as public enemy number 1. So I do like how you said that.
Jena (Guest):It comes it comes down to not doing anything unethical or harmful and making sure that you have things like professional liability insurance, that you're following the code of ethics, that you don't hurt someone. Right? All of these things that, like, people know not to do, but they oftentimes blow things up in their heads about, oh my gosh. What if I make a mistake and lose my license? And so you're only gonna lose your license if you do something wrong, like, that you knew was wrong and and intentionally bad.
Jena (Guest):And really, most SLPs would never do anything like that. So the chances of having something really bad happen like that are so slim, but a lot of people, like, stop themselves from starting because of fears like that.
Melanie (Host):So that brings me to my next question. We talk a lot about fears and, part of the reason why I brought you on is because just being a part of underserved marginalized communities, it is hard to take those extra steps. I think that across the board, it is takes a lot of grit to step out and start your own businesses. But especially when society tells you that you're not worthy on a day to day basis for whatever it is just for being out of the status quo. My first question to you about that is, has that ever been a thought on your mind when you started your private practice and when you just started being an entrepreneur?
Jena (Guest):Yeah. I think in the early days, it was something that made me possibly a little bit nervous. Do you, like, come out to private clients? Do you put anything about that on your website? Like, some of those kind of things.
Jena (Guest):But I'll also share that I know lots of people who are from marginalized communities who are not treated particularly well in, in regular jobs, like in school systems and hospital systems, a lot of people face discrimination, microaggressions, all kinds of other stuff in by working for systems that are meant to serve them and their clients, but they're not feeling particularly well treated in a lot of, cases. And sometimes people feel like their their clients or people on their case load aren't being treated well either. And so I also see private practice as a way to start your own system. Right? If the system that you're working for isn't working for you for whatever reason, then start your own system.
Jena (Guest):Right? Because we've all tried to train to change systems. Like, we've all tried really hard to make things better in schools, make things better at hospitals. And sometimes it's just really hard and exhausting to do that. And so if you then decide, you know what?
Jena (Guest):I can't do this anymore. I'm gonna go start my own thing, And that's what I'm seeing more and more people doing after trying a little bit, but then being like, you know what? This is not working. I'm gonna start my own system through my own private practice. And and that's what I did and what I'm helping a lot of people do, and that feels really good to a lot of people.
Melanie (Host):And, Jida, as you're talking, I'm just thinking how I'm very happy that you are here and to put these feelings and thoughts into words. Because one thing that comes to my mind and when I was in the schools and working, I started this field to help close the academic achievement gap in the school to prison pipeline. But I would always tell people that the education system is such a well oiled machine that it's very hard to do that from the inside. So, yes, like what you said, having that creativity to create your own systems, there's just so much freedom in that and so much joy.
Jena (Guest):Yeah. And and that's also another thing I think that sometimes surprises people is clinicians often their caseloads are not exactly, like, who they are. Right? Like, maybe and they may wanna work with more people who are more similar to them. And so that's another thing is through your private practice.
Jena (Guest):Let's just say you're a bilingual SLP. Right? And your caseload doesn't have many bilingual, kids on it, but there's a tremendous need for bilingual services, Start your own private practice and serve that population, right? If those are the people that you know are going without services or are stuck on wait list because there's only a handful of bilingual providers, then why not be that bilingual provider that that your community needs. Right?
Jena (Guest):And so I think a lot of people really want to serve whatever population they're a part of also. And so, again, the best way to do that is by starting your practice and then, like, marketing to those clients so that's who fills up your caseload. I have a lot of friends who are also like out business owners who, who say that on their website, that they're a safe space, right? Or that they're LGBT part of the community or affirming or whatever. And I know that when some clients go to that person's website, like, if they like that and either they're part of their community or the or they respect that, then they're much more likely to sign up for that provider.
Jena (Guest):Right? If they're not, they're gonna go find someone else, and that's okay too. That's why I'm really all about people leading with their values so that people can self select. And so I think that's really important, like, from a marketing perspective, is to tell people, like, who you are and what you're about, and the people who, like that will be attracted to you, and the people who don't will run the other way. And that's okay because you want them to.
Melanie (Host):I really appreciate that point. A lot of what's coming in my mind, sadly, the statistics and the disparities, especially when it comes to the LGBTQ community and being fearful, Sally, especially when it comes to speech pathologists too, and health care and just seeking those services. So I'm sure that at least seeing gender affirming, anything like that has really changed the hearts of people. You did mention my girl. Oh, my plant.
Melanie (Host):My puppy my big old 100 pound puppy just came to say hi to us, so you knocked up my plant. So you did mention microaggressions earlier. Has that been anything that you've had challenges with during your career?
Jena (Guest):Yes. But I'll say, thankfully, not a lot. But one one time I'll say that it came up that put me in a kind of funny position and I made a decision that I, looking back on it, don't know that it was the right decision. But one of my very first early private clients was a gentleman with aphasia, and I did an interview with his wife on the phone, and I felt like I could really help him. And I went to their house, and as I was getting to know them, I realized that they were Mormon.
Jena (Guest):Right? That was their religion. And it was interesting because at the time, I think that Mormons, have changed a little bit in some of their views, but I just didn't know if they would that I was a gay SOP. I don't know. And ironically, I was getting married, like, 2 months after I started working with them.
Jena (Guest):And so I felt really conflicted, married to a woman specifically, and I felt really conflicted about, like, coming out to them. And so I remember telling them that I was gonna be gone for 2 weeks because I was getting married. And, of course, they they assumed that I had a husband. Right? So they said, oh, what's your husband's name?
Jena (Guest):And I totally panicked, and I made up some name. I don't I don't even remember. John or something. I don't know. So I've had this, like, fake husband for this private client relationship because I was it was very early in my private practice, and I really I liked working with them, and I was nervous to lose a client, but I also felt very conflicted about the whole experience and about lying, about who I was, and everything else.
Jena (Guest):So, after that experience, I made the decision to basically never do that again and just make sure that I was really, like, out from the very beginning. I made some changes to my website. I started just, like, casually dropping stuff about my wife. It's a really it's a lot easier as a queer person if you're in a relationship and you can, like, say stuff about your same sex partner. And so, anyway, I just made that conscious decision to to never be in a situation where someone who was hiring me didn't know about that aspect of my life and could make a decision about whether or not they wanted to work with me.
Melanie (Host):And I want to ask you a question, really just in particular, about how you felt after you left that situation. So, for example, in a sense, having to lie about your identity, what feelings came up for you, and how did that feel the fire to be like, you know what? I'm just gonna be completely out.
Jena (Guest):Yeah. I I felt really ashamed. I felt like I was, like, back in the closet, and I hadn't been in the closet in a really long time. And that kind of was hard. And then, actually, I'll tell you, Melanie, it happened a second time, but in in a different way.
Jena (Guest):After Sarah and I got married so this is actually probably within the same year as the first part of the story. We moved back home to New Orleans, which is where I'm from. And I was I knew we weren't gonna stay long, so I just I didn't restart my private practice. I continued to see my clients here via teletherapy, but I decided just to get a regular job at a skilled nursing facility. And so that's what I did, but I remember also oh my gosh.
Jena (Guest):Like, the whole coming out to my coworkers thing, and which was so silly because I was married and what did I care? But nonetheless, I was nervous about it because I'm from New Orleans. New Orleans has, like, some liberal parts to it, but also some very conservative parts to it. And so I was, like, like, back in the closet again. And, like, whenever you're with new coworkers, you never know what to do about some of those things sometimes.
Jena (Guest):And luckily, about 2 or 3 weeks into my working there, I my one of the people was, pregnant and was having a baby, and we're having a baby shower for her. And so my wife is, oh, how about I make those Oreo cupcakes and you can bring them to the baby shower? And I was like, oh my god. Great. And so I bring these cupcakes and everyone's, oh my god.
Jena (Guest):These cupcakes are so good. Did you make them or whatever? Can I get the recipe? I was like, oh, yeah. Like, my wife made them.
Jena (Guest):And people are like, oh my god. They're the best cupcakes ever. And so I always tell people, if you need a a reason to come out, like, everyone loves food. And so if you just in with food or whatever, and then you just, whatever people like almost don't even hear the second part or really don't care because you just gave them a really good cupcake.
Melanie (Host):Wow. That is a really great coming out hack, Jenna. Thank you so much.
Jena (Guest):You're welcome. Anyone can use that one. It's really good. I I recommend it. It worked for me.
Melanie (Host):I also really hope that you bring those cupcakes to ASHA this year. Are you going?
Jena (Guest):No. I'm definitely going because it's in Boston, which I'm y'all, I got super lucky because it was in New Orleans last year, which is where my family is. And and it was my first time having a booth this last year. So I was able to, like, ship all of my stuff down to my parents. That was amazing.
Jena (Guest):And this year, it's in Boston, and so I'll be able to drive drop my kids off at school and then head into the convention. I'm so excited.
Melanie (Host):That is exciting. And then that was another thing I wanted to ask is what made you move to the north from the south?
Jena (Guest):Oh, because it's too hot in the south. I'm a kind of person I do not do well when I'm hot. Like, hopefully, you guys can't hear it because I've got this noise canceling microphone thing, but, like, I've got a air conditioner going, in my office right now. I turn into kind of like the Incredible Hulk a little bit when I'm hot. I'm a really nice mannered person, but when I get hot, I get a little crazy.
Jena (Guest):So, anyway, I had to leave the south for a couple reasons. I guess one was the heat for sure. The other was the politics. Right? Like, I couldn't be I wasn't didn't think I would be comfortable raising my family there, and I had gone to grad school in Massachusetts.
Jena (Guest):I love Massachusetts. My my wife was here, and her family is all here. We made the decision to lay down roots and everything and have our kids here. And I'm telling you, it's it's when I first moved to Massachusetts, so in 3, I moved to Massachusetts for graduate school. I went to Emerson College, and I was so excited to move to Boston and go to the LGBTQ, like, community center.
Jena (Guest):And I showed up and there was no community center. And I was like, oh my gosh. Whatever. It's because they didn't need it here. Like, it was already so normal in a way to for, I don't know, for gay people to just be it was just normal.
Jena (Guest):And so there didn't have to be those community centers like they're often, like, have to be in other places. And it's interesting because it's what you want. Right? You want everything to be, like, totally normal. But at the same time, I think that makes it a little harder to find community if your community is all mixed in.
Melanie (Host):Yeah.
Jena (Guest):And so I'll say that it's it's a blessing. I'm not complaining about it. I know there's lots of other places that are are not like this at all, but it's just been, like, interesting to me that it's not always easy to find, like, gay friends. I don't know. Everyone's just blended in, which again is nice, but it also is nice to be with people who have a shared experience.
Jena (Guest):And thank you
Melanie (Host):for that. I wanna also ask. You said it's you said it's not easy to find gay friends. Would you say it's easy to find gay colleagues in our field or at least a community that you can lean on when it comes to
Jena (Guest):No. Not real. I'd say not really. No. Social media and Instagram and whatnot.
Jena (Guest):Yes. Like, for sure, that has made there's an awesome Facebook group. So, yeah, there's ways to find people that way, but I think that there's still and maybe this will change. Right? I feel younger generations are either coming out earlier or more open to just being queer, whatever.
Jena (Guest):And I think that now it's probably easier, but I know when I was in grad school so I was in grad school 2003 to 2005. Like, I was the only gay person in my class. There was one another girl a year ahead of me and behind me. All of the boys were straight at that time, but there weren't that many boys. There was only, like, 1 or 2 of them.
Jena (Guest):So, yeah, it was it was hard to find people to be friends with.
Melanie (Host):I like how you said at that time because I know that a lot honestly, a lot of people are queer. We just, but it is a bit harder to come out because of just what we're talking about here on the show. So just a few more questions for you today, Jenna, because I know that you are packing up.
Jena (Guest):Yeah. Everyone, I'm moving. So, anyway, I was telling Melanie before we started recording this lovely background that all of y'all have gotten to know and hopefully love is is moving to a new house. So I'm right now in the process of figuring out what my new background is gonna look like, But I was supposed to have packed my office yesterday, and I told my wife I can't I've got one more live with Melanie, and I can't change it yet. So I promise I'll pack up tomorrow.
Jena (Guest):But, anyway, Melanie, I had to save it for you.
Melanie (Host):I'm honestly really honored that I got to be an excuse for you not packing. So thank you, Jenna. What are some ways that we can be a lot more cultural responsive to our LGBTQ colleagues, neighbors, clients, and families.
Jena (Guest):Yeah. Wait. I think one easy way is just to not assume that people are in heterosexual relationships. Right? Just to just more ask people, are you dating anyone or do you have a partner?
Jena (Guest):I don't know. Just to use a little bit more inclusive language. I think that adding pronouns behind names, like, really shows that you're just, like, a a safe person, whether or not you identify as being like transgender or anything or non binary. I think it's just is a really nice way to show people that you're at least, like, thinking about that. And so I think that's really important.
Jena (Guest):I think as business owners and I know that there is some privilege in saying this, but if at all possible to lead with those values and just, like, lead with being out because I would much rather have the people who are in my programs and whatnot know exactly, like, my whole story. Right? And, like, who I am and who is helping them too. And if you don't want my help for whatever reason, because I'm even though I can help you, like, a lot with the whole business thing, if you don't want help from a gay person, okay, then don't then that's okay. But I would much rather have people know that in advance and truly make that decision to say, oh, no.
Jena (Guest):I do wanna do, you know, business with you. I do want you to help me and everything else. But I know that's not safe for everyone, and it's either not safe because of where people live, like different, places in the country. It may not be, like, psychologically safe for people. If people are able to come was are looking for that.
Jena (Guest):I remember when I was in probably middle school and even high school, I wasn't out yet, but and and this was like in the nineties. Yeah. Nineties. I was always looking for those, like, ally symbols or anything like that. The teachers, like, outside of teachers' offices or, like, that kind of thing.
Jena (Guest):I was always looking for symbols of people who, like, would be a safe person. And so I think that we have a I don't know if responsibility is the right word, but I think it's great if you are able to be out to do so because you never know what younger person is really looking for just even one other person to to confide in or to talk to or just or to look up to. Right? So I think that it's for people who are able to do it, I think being out is really important.
Melanie (Host):From your perspective, Jenna, what would allyship look like? Oh, yeah. Into what you just mentioned with, just showing your pride and everything, but are there any other ways that we can be true allies?
Jena (Guest):I think doing all of that I think some people get upset about businesses in particular being performative. Right? There's a lot of feelings about people being performative. But and if it's a company that has a track record against LGBT stuff and then they're posting pro stuff, then, okay, that's not good. I would rather people show that they care, like, and versus not.
Jena (Guest):Right? So, like, I the whole performative thing to me doesn't bother me as much depending on, like, the circumstances of it. I think that as an ally, I don't think it's performative for a straight person to, like, talk about the fact that they're an ally or post stuff or whatever. Like, as long as they believe it. Right?
Jena (Guest):If you're going against that, but then also saying it, then that's problematic. But I I think it's important for people to be allies. So everyone can figure out, like, how to do that. Even if you on the bottom of your website, just saying that you're LGBTQ affirming. Right?
Jena (Guest):Just like now, it's part of this neurodiversity movement, right, to be, like, neurodiversity affirming. Right? So putting those kind of things are going to attract the kinds of people that that you wanna be with and hopefully repel the kind of people who don't.
Melanie (Host):Thank you so much, Jeanette. So I know that you did have some book recommendations. And before we get into that, first of all, I know that you're being real humble right now, but you just launched an amazing book this year, and I really want the audience to know about it. Can you talk about that?
Jena (Guest):Yeah. Here. Let me I'll grab it off my shelf. I don't know if this is forwards or backwards for people, but the book is called The Path to Private Practice. And this has been basically 15 years in the making.
Jena (Guest):It really is a primer to help people decide if private practice is right for them. There's a lot of people out there who are thinking about private practice, not sure if they can do it, not sure what private practice could look like. That's what's in this book. Right? And then if you decide, okay.
Jena (Guest):I do wanna join I do wanna start a private practice, then come join the start your private practice program. Right? That's Melanie's in there. We've got almost 27100 other SLPs and OTs are in there. But the book is, like, the best way to get started and explore whether or not you think that private practice is right for you.
Jena (Guest):My my job is by the end of this book, you will know if this is your right next step.
Melanie (Host):Thank you so much for your hard work. I had no idea it took 15 years to write that. So that 15
Jena (Guest):years of learning how to do it. It it didn't take 15 years. It took more like a year to write. But it's 15 years worth of, like, knowledge and experience about all of those things that you that we talked about earlier, like, the things that hold people up, the things that make people nervous. And then my other thing that I'm really big on that I just wanna say real quick is that there's so many different ways to be in private practice.
Jena (Guest):Right? When I was first getting started, I thought that you had to have a certain number of years of experience, that you had to have a brick and mortar clinic, that you had to have like, all of these things that I thought you had to have. And then through doing this, I realized, like, you can have a mobile practice. You don't have to have an office. Right?
Jena (Guest):You can either specialize or you could be a generalist. There's a big movement right now with people starting their private practices much younger. Right? I started my private practice at 26. That was unheard of at the time.
Jena (Guest):Now it's heard of, and I think it's awesome. So there I had someone on my podcast. I have a podcast too, the private practice success stories podcast, which I'm hoping that you're gonna come on too at some point. We've had people on who have mobile private practices with a van. I've had people with pet assisted therapy, nature based practices.
Jena (Guest):Like, the idea that private practice has to be the brick and mortar clinic with the waiting room and all of the tons of therapists and everything else is truthfully the old way to do it. And I wanna make this not only easier for people, but I want people to do private practice the way that they wanna do it that that feels good to them and is exciting to them. And so I teach this new way of doing a private practice, and I think it works a lot better for people and it's a lot easier to get started.
Melanie (Host):Judith, thank you so much. And, yes, I already have it booked in August, so I am so excited to be Awesome.
Jena (Guest):We'll be at my new space then. Yes. Yes. And then I'll get to
Melanie (Host):see your new space again. I just have a dust off my shoulders and say, I'm so proud that I get to be your last, podcast interview with this office. You did offer a book recommendation. Can you tell us a bit about it? Yes.
Jena (Guest):Let me grab that. I meant to do this earlier, but then I forgot. Okay. For any SLPs watching this live or on the replay who maybe have some concerns about making money. Right?
Jena (Guest):And a lot of people say, I didn't go into this profession to make money. And that may be true, but the reality is that you do need to make money, right? You need to make money to feed your family, to feed yourself, to pay off loans, to get ahead in life, to be able to retire, all these kind of other things. So for anyone who is, worried about that, I recommend this book, We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers. This book is absolutely fantastic permission to earn more based on your skills.
Jena (Guest):It will also help you, like, literally with a road map of, like, how to earn more through your life. So this is not specific to private practice. It's they talk about all kinds of different professions. But if you have any internal thing where you feel like may like money is bad or, like, you feel guilty, like, taking money from clients or anything like that. This book will change how you think about that and will give you permission to earn and and actually feel good about it.
Jena (Guest):We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rogers. She has a podcast also that's fantastic, but this is a really great place for people to start if you have any worries about money.
Melanie (Host):Wow. And thank you. And I will be including on the replay. I'll be including all of this in the show notes. I'll be including the link to your start and grow your private practice program, as well as your book, as well as we should all be millionaires.
Melanie (Host):So thank you so much for that. One question that I always like to ask us at the very end is what changes do you feel should be done in this field?
Jena (Guest):Oh, I could go on for a long time about that. We need more diversity in the field. We also need to stop gatekeeping the profession. There's such need for us, right, with our clients and there's not enough grad programs. The grad programs that exist are, like, too competitive to get into.
Jena (Guest):We're not doing a good enough job at recruiting, black and other minority SLPs, and that's a problem. The pay is not good enough. Like, we need more lobbying for higher pay, whether it's at schools, hospitals, insurance reimbursement, all of those kinds of other things. What else? Just those are the top things I can think of right now, but we just we need a massive overhaul.
Jena (Guest):And I'm confident ish that we'll get there. I think I have tremendous. I'm oh my god. This is so weird to admit this, but I think I'm, like, essentially middle aged at this point. I don't know.
Jena (Guest):I'm 42. And so if I think about that, the 20 years ahead of me are 62. Right? So they're, like, heading to retirement. Mhmm.
Jena (Guest):And 20 years behind me are 22. So they're just, like, graduating from college, going into grad school, and whatnot. I have tremendous hope for the younger generation, and I think that things will improve, but the problem is that people who are in the older generations are still, like, leading a lot of the grad programs, and I think that's where a lot of the challenges start.
Melanie (Host):And Jenna, as you're talking, I'm like, those are 3 separate podcast episodes right there.
Jena (Guest):Oh, yeah.
Melanie (Host):Let's stop. It stops here. Jenna, where can people contact you if they have any questions at all and if they wanna know more about start your private practice?
Jena (Guest):Alright. The best place to find me these days is on Instagram. So I'm at independent clinician. Send me a DM. Give me a follow or whatever, but send me a DM.
Jena (Guest):I love doing voice mail, like, message things to people. Come chat with me on there. If you're a podcast kind of a person, make sure you subscribe to the private practice success for his podcast. And because Melanie is gonna be on in August, and so you'll get to hear her on there. But we I interview we're on, like, the 240 something episode right now.
Jena (Guest):We've been I've been doing a lot of podcasting for a long time. But the thing is that I highlight all of these different ways to have private practices. So if you're if anyone who's listening or watching this is thinking, wow, I'd really like to do that, but I wonder if I could somehow incorporate dance or creative movement or if I could incorporate music or, like, nature based or if I only wanna work with people with dyslexia or whatever. Like, the answer is yes to all of those things. So you can make private practice what you want it to be.
Jena (Guest):You don't have to have this preconceived notion or cookie cutter approach. The only private practice that's that's good for you or that's, okay, I bought botched that up. There's no such thing as a perfect private practice, only one that's perfect for you.
Melanie (Host):Yeah. I love that. I love that. Say that one more time.
Jena (Guest):Thank you. There's no such thing as a perfect private practice, only one that's perfect for you.
Melanie (Host):Only one that's perfect for you. Thank you so much, Jenna. Thank you so much for coming on the show. I know that you are just a breath of fresh air for so many people hearing this. Thank you again, everyone, for coming to the Pediatrics Easter Saturday's live.
Melanie (Host):Hello everyone and happy Pride Month. I want to, first of all, say thank you all for celebrating pride. This is such a fun and incredible month. And to be honest with you, just like any culture, pride should be celebrated a a lot of the inclusive terms and culturally responsive terms that are necessary to make our LGBTQ clients and colleagues feel safe. So I got you covered.
Melanie (Host):I went ahead and created a cultural responsiveness glossary, and this includes inclusive terms that are for all communities. That would be the BIPOC community, that's the disabled community, and, of course, people of the LGBTQ a plus community. So this includes pride flags. This includes the different terms and colloquialisms mentioned in this community, and I would love to offer 10% off of this product using the code pride 10. You can get this product for 10% off using the code pride 10.
Melanie (Host):Please, everyone, let's go ahead and do our best to make sure that our clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds are feeling safe, seen, and supported. So I am so excited to share this product with you all. And go ahead and click the link below, and you'll see it then. Bye, fam.