Written by Sarah Kuhr, SLP

As cliche as it sounds, it is hard to believe how fast 2023 flew by. Each year speeds up faster and faster (is that an age thing?). Maybe working in schools and doing all those themed materials will make it feel that way (e.g., how has it been a full year since I pulled out my winter pictures?!). 

I can say for certain (regarding work) that this was among the least stressful years I’ve had. Why? I knew exactly what I was looking for regarding hours and the type of work I wanted to do- so I expressed it to the person who could make it happen, and voila! I got it. I highly encourage you to do the same as you enter this new year. 

How? If you’re reading this, the odds are you work for yourself as an independent contractor (or are highly considering it). Perhaps you find your own clients, or you have someone who finds contracts for you- if so, be upfront and say exactly what you want to do and be specific about what you don’t want to do. 

In 2023- I knew I needed more flexible hours without reducing my hours from the previous year. I have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old at home and working while they’re at preschool is ideal- it isn’t always guaranteed when it comes to school closures and sick days (gosh, there are so many). I was also feeling a little exhausted from providing direct therapy services and knew I could use some relief. I have been providing teletherapy services for a high school in California that also has an in-person speech therapist. I knew she was overwhelmed with the number of students on a high school caseload and all the triennials coming up, so I put it out there. “How about I do all the evaluations and have that be my primary role?”. Thank goodness she dislikes assessing and report writing, and I enjoy it! So we are tag teaming this caseload, doing the part of the job we enjoy without being responsible for the duties we need a break from. 

This new year, I encourage you to problem-solve and figure out what has bothered you in your career and what brings you joy. Answer the following questions: 

• What is your favorite part of the job that makes you happy and confident and does not contribute to burnout? 
• What specific aspects of your job make you flat-out dread work? 
• Is it realistic to find a position doing the part you love without the part that makes you miserable? 

If you answered “yes” to the third question, make it happen! If you don’t know where to begin, contact people in Facebook groups related to teletherapy (that is how I “met” the woman who connected me to the school I’m with today) or network with the therapists you already know. There is no shame in sending out mass text messages and emails stating exactly what you seek. If the therapists you know don’t have a solution, there’s a great chance they may stumble across one and get back to you in the future. I’m willing to bet a majority of speech therapists would love to do the same but feel stuck in their current position- this could inspire them to take the initiative as well!

If you answered “no” to the third question, you’re probably wrong. If you aren’t already, become an independent contractor and directly apply to schools and clinics stating what you will and won’t do. Start your own business, taking on your own clients- you will get to accept or decline who you want to work with as you please. I have a friend who left one of the largest teletherapy companies to start her own virtual private practice. She found a client who needed services but attended a private school that didn’t have an in-house SLP. From there, that family spread the word about her to other parents at the school, and she now has the caseload size she wants and is only accepting clients based on what she feels comfortable with. Don’t like language but feel extremely confident with articulation? Build a caseload on that! Do you only want to provide consultation? Say it and advertise it to friends, former colleagues, and on social media! When you accept your own clients, you don’t have to do any parts of the job you dislike. 

As you enter into 2024, know you have the tools to have the SLP career you want. You can absolutely shape it into something you’ve always wanted.

MAKE THIS YOUR YEAR!