Keisia Galmon: Navigating the Journey to a Thriving Private Speech-Language Pathology Practice

Success often comes when you’re ready for it—and that’s exactly how Keisia Galmon’s career in speech-language pathology (SLP) took off. Her journey into the world of communication science and disorders started in a pretty unexpected way during her first year at Jackson State University. One day, she happened to bump into a friend’s sister who was studying for the Praxis exam. That small interaction sparked Keisia’s curiosity, and just like that, everything changed. Soon after grad school, a mentorship took her career in a new direction, and today, Keisia is not only an experienced SLP—she’s also the proud owner and clinical director of Easy Speech and Language Services, LLC, a pediatric center based in Houston, Texas.

Overcoming Graduate School Hurdles

Keisia’s entry into this field might have been a bit of a surprise, but her path to building a successful private practice was anything but easy. Anyone in the SLP field knows that grad school is tough, and for Keisia, it wasn’t just about learning all the technical aspects of the role. She was also the only African-American student in her program, which came with its own set of challenges. There were times when she felt isolated, misunderstood, or simply out of place. But instead of letting that hold her back, Keisia used those experiences to fuel her drive and determination. Her strong foundation from Jackson State gave her the tools she needed to push through. These challenges also taught her the importance of helping others to understand the importance of cultural sensitivity, which helped to change her environment for the better while completing her program.

Gaining Experience Across Different Settings

With over 15 years in the field, Keisia’s built up a wealth of experience in various settings—everything from home health to early intervention, schools, and even private contracting. Her 12 years as an independent contractor in schools were especially formative, especially since she worked with kids who faced severe social-emotional and behavioral challenges. While these cases were often tough, Keisia describes them as some of the most rewarding experiences of her career. It was during this time that she also found a mentor who introduced her to the business side of speech-language pathology—a shift that would eventually lead to her opening her own practice.

Diving into the Business Side of SLP

Thanks to the guidance of her mentor, Keisia was able to smoothly transition into private practice. She learned all about the business side—everything from setting up the right paperwork (like employer identification numbers and articles of incorporation) to navigating the world of credentialing, marketing, pricing, and billing. This knowledge became essential when launching Easy Speech and Language Services, LLC, which now has a team of speech-language pathologist assistants (SLPAs), hosts interns, and provides a variety of support roles.

Of course, running a business isn’t without its struggles. Things like Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement cuts and other financial hurdles made it harder, especially in the home health sector. But Keisia adapted by shifting her practice to a brick-and-mortar location, allowing more clients to visit her practice in person, which improved operations. Then, of course, there was COVID-19—something no one saw coming. But again, Keisia found ways to keep her practice running through the uncertainty.

Keys to Success in Private Practice

Keisia has picked up some valuable lessons along the way—lessons that can help anyone thinking about starting their own private practice. First and foremost, her advice is to delegate tasks that aren’t in your wheelhouse. It can be tempting to try to handle everything yourself, but hiring the right professionals (like accountants, billing experts, and payroll people) frees up your time so you can focus on providing the best care possible. Other important factors to keep in mind include understanding the size of your practice, the demographic you’re serving, your location, pricing structure, and even your clinic’s vibe (making sure it’s child-friendly, for example). Having a solid business plan and a strategy for slow, steady growth is key. And don’t forget to enjoy the process! Keisia reminds us that the early days of growth can be tough, but they’re also the foundation for long-term success.

The Pros and Cons of Private Practice

Running a private practice definitely comes with its fair share of pros and cons. On the plus side, Keisia enjoys the freedom of being her own boss, having less administrative work, and building deeper relationships with her clients. But on the flip side, there are challenges like dealing with the messiness of billing, managing missed sessions, and the ever-present worry about finances. A good way to deal with some of these challenges is by establishing a clear cancellation policy. That can help cut down on missed appointments and keep the business running smoothly.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Clinicians

Keisia is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of SLPs. She knows just how important it is to have someone guiding you, especially early in your career. Reflecting on her own experience with mentorship, Keisia is committed to fostering a sense of community and support, particularly for clinicians from diverse backgrounds. She believes that collaboration and mentorship are key to shaping successful, well-rounded professionals in the field.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Challenge

Keisia Galmon’s journey to owning a successful private practice is proof that resilience, adaptability, and mentorship can make all the difference. She’s learned that building a business is rarely a smooth journey, but it’s those bumps in the road that make the victory so sweet. Her advice to fellow SLPs who are thinking about taking the plunge into private practice? Embrace the challenges. If you fail, fail fast, learn from it, and adapt. With the right mindset, support, and plenty of hard work, you can build a practice that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.

Keisia’s story is truly inspiring for anyone wanting to carve their own path in speech-language pathology. Success doesn’t come overnight—but with perseverance, the right guidance, and a willingness to learn, it’s absolutely within reach.