Originally posted on Canvas Rebel
We were lucky to catch up with Suzy Carbrey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Suzy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
I decided to open my private practice because I have an entrepreneurial spirit and love the flexibility and work/life balance of working for myself. My background is in cognitive-communication therapy as a speech-language pathologist in an adult medical rehabilitation setting. I wanted my private practice to focus on adults who have always struggled with executive functioning skills such as attention, memory, organization, time management, and follow-through.
I began planning to open my speech therapy private practice in the fall of 2019 and was all set to launch on the same day that Illinois shut down due to COVID-19. Because of this timing, I started getting calls from adults who have ADHD who were struggling with working from home. Helping these individuals improve their executive functioning quickly became a passion of mine. Eventually, I decided to rebrand and solely focus on ADHD and executive function coaching, no longer providing formal speech therapy treatment or evaluation.
Setting up my practice came with its challenges. Navigating the sudden shift to remote work due to the pandemic was a significant hurdle, but it also opened new opportunities. One of the key steps was rebranding my services to focus exclusively on ADHD and executive function coaching. I also had to develop a robust online presence and adapt my services for virtual delivery.
Looking back, I wouldn’t do anything differently. Each challenge taught me valuable lessons and helped shape my practice into what it is today. For young professionals considering starting their own practice, here are my top three tips:
First, embrace Continuous Learning: ADHD is complex and multifaceted. Stay updated with the latest research and best practices to provide the most effective support for your clients.
Second, develop Empathy and Understanding: Cultivate a deep sense of empathy. Understanding the unique challenges and strengths of individuals with ADHD is crucial for effective coaching.
Third, build a Flexible Toolkit: Every client is different. Develop a diverse set of tools and strategies to tailor your approach to each individual’s needs and preferences.
Starting your own practice is a rewarding journey. With dedication, continuous learning, and empathy, you can create a positive impact on your clients’ lives while enjoying the benefits of running your own business.
Suzy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My journey began growing up with a sister who was born premature and has significant cognitive challenges as well as having close connections with people who have ADHD. I’ve also come to recognize attention and sensory processing differences within myself. Understanding that tailoring my approach to align with my unique differences and preferences contributes to my success and why I love what I do.
My work allows me to help people free themselves from shame and overwhelm, steering them towards a life of calm focus and step-by-step progress. My passion lies in empowering adults with executive functioning challenges to navigate life with confidence and purpose.
With a background as a speech-language pathologist and extensive experience in cognitive-communication rehab, I continuously learn to ensure that my coaching approach is both empathetic and effective. I work with chronically disorganized parents and professionals to improve their communication and executive functioning skills.
My focus is on supporting adults in achieving better results in various aspects of their lives, including their careers, homes, relationships, and self-care. Executive functions, which are like the ‘boss’ of our brain, handle tasks such as organizing thoughts, planning actions, and maintaining focus. Through personalized strategies, I help my clients understand how their brains work and achieve the changes they hope for. Together, we’ll address areas like overwhelm, time management, organization, and life balance.
What sets me apart is how I combine my experience in cognitive-communication rehab with my training in solution-focused brief therapy. I help clients transform their lives by freeing them from the shame and overwhelm associated with executive functioning challenges. I’m proud of the positive changes I’ve helped clients achieve, leading them to live more organized, balanced, and fulfilling lives.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
Absolutely, I would choose the same profession and specialty again. My journey, though roundabout, has brought me exactly where I need to be. I love being able to help parents and professionals reduce overwhelm and improve life balance. This path has allowed me to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Two key factors have helped me build my reputation within the market.
First, the improvements my clients experience and their referrals have been invaluable. When clients see real progress in reducing overwhelm and enhancing life balance, they naturally want to share their positive experiences with others. Their referrals have been a significant driver in building my reputation.
Second, my commitment to education and sharing tips through content creation has been crucial. I post daily on LinkedIn, send out a weekly newsletter, and publish a monthly blog post. This consistent presence and the valuable information I share have helped establish me as a trusted expert in the field. Through these efforts, I’ve been able to reach a broader audience and provide ongoing support and insights to both current and potential clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suzycarbrey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzy_carbrey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzyCarbreyLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzy-carbrey/
Originally posted on Canvas Rebel