Have you ever said, “I’ll never do that again?”, and then eat your words(figuratively)? Yep that’s me, and that’s exactly what I did, yet could not be happier.
It all began 15 years ago, in South Carolina. After spending five years in the school district, I realized that was not the setting for me. Don’t get me wrong…I learned a lot, met some fabulous folks, and the best of clients that were on my caseload. So off I went with another speech language pathologist to start a private practice for pediatrics. Talk about a learning experience, boy did we! No background in business, that didn’t stop us. Full speed ahead. We worked tirelessly to figure it all out, while raising babies(8 between us.) When my husband’s job relocated us from the low county to the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, we made the tough decision for me to step away from that pediatric private practice, that was very much like a baby. I am happy to say, that my former business partner, is still rocking it!
Never Evering……..
Fast forward a few years. Spending time with our 5 beautiful children, and deciding to homeschool, still working some, I know I said, “I’ll never have another private practice.” Not because I didn’t enjoy it. Not because it wasn’t successful. Not because it wasn’t a blessing to our family. But because I didn’t think I had it in me to ever start one again. It’s blood (my due to a papercut), sweat, and tears-literally and harder work than you could possibly imagine…but for me, it was worth every single second.
On New Year’s Eve 2022, Communication Station GA was born. With my loving husband’s support and encouragement, I decided to “never ever.” Another pediatric private practice was on the path to becoming established our little mountain town, Chatsworth, GA. After one year, we are still working, growing, improving, researching, and expanding. Not only is our area underserved in the private sector, but pediatrics is the prime population, in my opinion, focusing on early intervention.
Pediatrics is Prime:
In graduate school, at Appalachian State University, I knew I was working with adults, and adults only….except I didn’t. Pediatrics was the population for me. There is a ton of research on why early intervention is important and how working with families is beneficial for the outcomes and progress. After I increased my experience and actually saw how the progress increased. Seeing was believing. Pediatrics stole my heart, and so did working in a private practice for so many reasons.
Private Practice:
Again, after 15+ years in pediatric private practice, and experience in school, adult outpatient and skilled nursing facilities, peds was the place for me. I believe every therapist has a calling and a passion, and when it is pursued, whole heartily, everyone (clients, families, therapist and colleagues) involved experiences something really unique. Yes progress follows, but relationships are built, communication and connections occur, and caregivers are empowered. I have fallen in love with the privilege of equipping and encouraging families and caregivers. Teaching them how to play with a purpose. Hearing those first words. Taking those first bites. Seeing those first steps. I could not imagine spending my days in any other setting than pediatric private practice. At Communication Station Ga, we are excited to expand, ready to meet our families where they are and propel them even further.
After spending almost 20 years working in the field of pediatrics, I could not imagine spending my career do anything else. The tiny faces, have big work to do, and I am privilege to come along side the families and help them achieve their goals.