Private Practice Prep School

Your one-stop guide to starting a successful private SLP practice!

As of 6/10/19, this course is no longer open for enrollment. You can access the information in my new course, Private Practice Foundations, available through Northern Speech Services here.


Do you want to start a private SLP practice but aren't sure where to begin?

Have you looked into starting a practice but gave up after drowning in the information overload?

Do you wish you had a step-by-step guide and someone to answer all of your questions?

This is the course for you! I created this course to guide you through the process of starting a private speech therapy practice, from how to set up your business structure, to choosing a fair rate, to marketing and HIPAA compliance. I guide you each step of the way through starting your private SLP practice with

  • Over 4.5 hours of video broken up into bite-sized modules ($520 value)
  • Each module contains user-friendly handouts and links to useful resources and websites (saving you time, and $200 value)
  • Email access to me for questions (like having a personal consultant- $900 value)
  • Membership in a closed Facebook group where you can network, ask questions, and participate in Facebook Live giveaways and consults ($400 value)
  • Regular emails with discounts, resources, and links to make your private practice life easier ($300 value)
  • All for a ONE-TIME price!

Since this is an online course, you can access it immediately and follow along at your own pace. There is no time limit- and best of all, you get ASHA CMH's for completing it!

It is perfect for SLP's looking to start a part-time or full-time practice, with pediatrics or adults, in the medical or non-medical setting!

Course Curriculum


  Welcome to Private Practice Prep School!
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  First Steps
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  Budgeting and Startup Costs
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  HIPAA
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  Paperwork and Documentation
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  Marketing Your Practice
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  Recommended Resources + Discounts
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  Keeping It All Together
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"Owning and operating a private practice is a lot of work. There isn't a short-cut to success, but this course helps get you there faster and with fewer detours. You save a lot of time and energy! Jill is extremely well informed and frequently updates content to meet users needs. The course is even visually appealing, and the Facebook group is a great way to connect with other professionals. Even a few years into the game, I learned a lot of helpful info"

- JoAnne Berns, MS, CCC-SLP

Owner, Berns Therapy Solutions

"I have been so impressed with how this course is both comprehensive and yet still easy to follow. Jill's course answers all my questions and has answered questions I wouldn't have even known to ask! I highly recommend Private Practice Prep School to any SLP with an interest in private practice - group or solo."

- Emily W, MS, CCC-SLP

"I have been in private practice for 14 years and realized I needed more up to date information regarding insurances, HIPAA, EMRs, and telehealth. I wish this information was available to me when I first started! I had to find all the answers myself and it was not only time consuming, but often extremely frustrating. Jill Shook did a wonderful job compiling all of the details for anyone interested in starting his/her own practice. You will be hard pressed to find anything as comprehensive as the information presented through Private Practice Academy. After going through the courses, I immediately implemented changes to update my private practice.

I highly recommend Private Practice Academy for SLPs who are interested in private practice. It was a fantastic refresher course, even as a well-seasoned SLP in private practice. Thank you, Jill, for taking the time and energy to compile comprehensive, up to date information for our field!"

Susan Nannenga, M.S., CCC-SLP

Owner, Progressive Therapy Services, Inc.

Your Instructor


Jill Shook, MS, CCC-SLP
Jill Shook, MS, CCC-SLP

Hi! I'm Jill Shook, an ASHA-certified SLP and owner of Jill Shook Therapy LLC. I also create resources for school- based and private practice SLPs on TeachersPayTeachers.

I opened my practice while also working a full-time school job and part time in Early Intervention, so I know how busy things can get! In the beginning, I spent hours and hours researching everything from the best website host and HIPAA-compliant email provider, to the best printer and paper cutter for my home office!


What makes me qualified to teach this course?

I'm glad you asked! Over the past few years, I have helped some of my SLP friends start their own practices, and I noticed trends in their questions- and that everyone was overwhelmed! There's so much information out there, and trying to keep it all straight can be impossible! I've done the research into every area of starting and maintaining a private practice, and I successfully run my practice while staying home with my young daughter and creating resources for TeachersPayTeachers. I personally handle all aspects of my business, from website design to paperwork to taxes, so I know from experience what works and what doesn't!

I created this course to help other SLPs take the leap into private practice without wasting valuable time reinventing the wheel!


What can you expect from this course?
My goal for this course is to give you the tools and confidence that you need to take the leap into private practice! Whether you want to start seeing a few private clients on the side, or create a full-time practice, I am here to cut through the information overload and help you quickly and legally realize your dreams!


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
Who is this course intended for?
This course is intended for speech-language pathologists or SLP-assistants who are planning to open a private therapy practice in the next year, OR have already opened a practice but want to be sure they have covered all their bases. If you are an SLP who is established in private practice, or who is not sure if you want to start a practice in the next year or two, this course is probably not for you. If you are unsure if you are ready to start a private practice, check out my FREE course, Intro To Private Practice. That includes a quiz to help you check if you are truly ready to start a private practice.
Does this course count toward ASHA CEU's?
This course counts toward Certificate Maintenance Hours (CMH's) but NOT CEU's. Therefore, it will not show up on your CE Registry (if you have chosen to pay for that) but it DOES count toward your 30 tri-annual hours. Info about what counts for ASHA CMH's here: http://www.asha.org/Certification/FactDef/. Excerpt: "Activities will generally be accepted if you determine that they contribute to your professional development and will lead to acquiring and enhancing skills and knowledge required for independent practice. Some examples include: ... business and management content that will help you manage your private practice more effectively" You can obtain a certificate of completion after completing every part of the course by emailing me and having me verify your completion.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

This course is closed for enrollment.