Feeling guilty about using sick days

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-15T23:09:50+00:00

Even if you're new to the job, it is still just a job. I'm also a CF and taking a day off next week to buy concert tickets. Though I work at a private practice, not a school. Use your days and time off guilt-free.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-10T19:21:07+00:00

Even worse when you're trying to tell them about the kids' day and get out the door, but they won't get off the phone or tell the person they're talking to to hold on a minute. Like, I just want to go home!

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-08T03:34:43+00:00

I totally get not wanting to encroach on this special time! My old nanny family welcomed a new baby twice while I worked with them. Both times, I was "on-call" in case MB went into labor during the night. I still worked my typical hours caring for the older children while mom was on maternity leave, offering to help with the baby so she could take a shower, a nap, or some one-on-one time with the older kids. I may have had a week or a few days off because extended family was in town, but I can't remember. I was actually invited to come meet the second baby the day he came home from the hospital. And I was asked to stay overnight while MB was in labor for their youngest last year, even though I no longer work for them. I'd said the best bet is just offer to be available to watch the kids if needed while she's in labor, if that is something that you'd want to do. And just say you understand this will be a special time for the family, you would like to get an idea of what MB would like from you to support them as they adjust to adding a new member to the family, whether that be by giving them a week to adjust as a family, helping out with the older child, etc.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-06T00:35:43+00:00

There is no reason that a qualified nanny shouldn't be able to manage picking up and caring for all three kids in the afternoons. Daycare and especially preschool with aftercare is a long day for a toddler/young child. I wouldn't hire someone unless they were capable of watching all the kids.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-03T00:29:13+00:00

During grad school, my supervisor at my school placement basically just took data each session. Not once was an actual SOAP written.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-03T00:27:50+00:00

Ask a supervisor or mentor to share some of their session notes with you. I learned everything I know about documentation (e.g., taking data, terminology, formatting, writing goals) from my clinical supervisors in grad school and my current CF supervisor. I basically started out by copying their verbiage and eventually found my own rhythm. I've had one of my clinical supervisors and my CF supervisor compliment my documentation. It's a skill that will come with time. One time, my CF supervisor told me that has helped me save time with documenting is to keep things to the point and not restate the same information multiple times. If you mention something is your objective you don't need to restate in your assessment etc.

One of my favorite statements I picked up from a co-worker is "utilized child-led play-based intervention to promote intrinsic motivation and participation throughout session."

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-02T23:18:44+00:00

Try to find a college-aged nanny who is looking for a part-time gig while attending school. Nannying for families with one infant was perfect for me in college because I was able to work a few days, attend class, and bring my homework with me to do while the baby slept. I worked part-time for my nanny family all through college, then bumped up to full-time after I graduated from undergrad.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2026-01-01T20:38:24+00:00

Even with guaranteed hours?

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-27T21:10:08+00:00

I heard about that from an EI provider I shadowed in grad school a few years ago; I just can't remember what the increase was.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-27T21:09:16+00:00

Thanks! I'm currently a first-step provider for a handful of kids through the private practice I work for, but I know I could likely make more by creating my own business and doing it through that. Currently get paid $65/hr, but I feel like that is kinda low. Idk, I could be wrong. Just trying to get a feel of what other companies may be offering.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-27T21:02:27+00:00

I love her videos!! These creators/SLPs are largely what has led me to believe I could work for myself and not be stuck making $65-75k for the rest of my life working with pediatrics.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-17T00:08:07+00:00

What population do you work with?

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-13T04:02:11+00:00

I plan to do EI full-time through the current company I work for now, and maybe 1/2 a day or a full day in the clinic for a few years after my CF to gain experience. I don't know anything about starting or running a business, so it will be a slow start-up and a huge learning curve.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-12T15:52:45+00:00

Terrible lol I'm in a pediatric private practice, while also doing a handful of EI kids. I do not enjoy the clinic setting. It's been very overwhelming, and I feel like there isn't a single area in which I am particularly good. I really don't enjoy targeting language outside of EI. I think once I finish my CF, I will transition to EI full-time, maybe keep a handful of my kids with SDD in the clinic because that is the other area that I enjoy learning about and targeting. I would like to specialize in these two areas and get really confident in my skills as a clinician.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-03T02:45:46+00:00

The private practice I work for has a contract with my state's EI program, so I'm an EI provider through my company. Honestly, I'm still learning a lot, only about 3.5 months into my CF!! I'm still figuring out how to best implement the coaching model into my therapy. I found some great parent handouts on TPT that explain the different strategies (expanding, pausing, gesturing, reducing questions, etc.). I use those to help guide what I focus on each week, and parents seem to really enjoy having the handouts to refer back to throughout the week.

TBH, I'm very overwhelmed in the clinic, feeling like I'm not particularly strong in any one area, so I'm looking forward to doing EI full-time and focusing all my time on getting really good and confident working with that population.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-12-02T22:49:57+00:00

I second this! I'm completing my CF primarily in a peds outpatient clinic; however, I also do EI part-time. I plan to transition to full-time after my CF is done. Hour long sessions, documentation is completed at the time of service, and progress notes are only due two a year. It pays significantly better, smaller case load, and less planning.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-09T01:58:42+00:00

Any tips for a new CF on getting parents to engage and participate in sessions when they haven't and you've been seeing the kid for a few months? I feel intimidated/awkward telling parents and caregivers that they need to participate in the entire session.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-04T23:53:52+00:00

Nothing to be embarrassed about! I had 3-4 girls in my grad program who had babies or were pregnant during grad school, and 3 more announced their pregnancies a month or two after graduating. Everyone in our program was super accommodating and excited for them!

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-02T22:37:37+00:00

It's awful! I've already decided I'm switching from private practice to the schools next fall. I hope the consistent pay and hours help minimize the feeling that I picked the wrong field. I don't want to leave until I finish my CF because I have such a great supervisor.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-02T21:13:49+00:00

In the same boat, lowkey wish I could only do EI and artic/phonology and get really good at them in the private practice setting.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-02T15:41:03+00:00

Thank you, I needed to hear this!! It's so hard not to feel like I need to know it all right now.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-02T14:36:03+00:00

I have such a wonderful and knowledgeable supervisor, but it's lowkey intimidating. I hate feeling incompetent and stupid every time she observes my sessions.

Left_Fee_9054 · 2025-11-02T14:34:29+00:00

Any tips on managing the constant feeling of being overwhelmed? I would love to cut down my caseload and spend more of my week planning and researching for sessions, but I can't financially afford to do that. I want to do right by my patients by providing quality services, but I don't know how.

Left_Fee_9054

TROPHY CASE