Work Life Balance for Speech Pathologists: Mindful Time Management Tips for Therapists, Clinicians, & Private Practice Owners

Theresa Harp
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A podcast about coaching strategies and time management tips for busy SLPs, PTs, OTs, therapists, and private practice owners who want to feel successful in their personal and professional life at the same time. Let's take back control of your time! 

  1. 2D AGO

    117. The Juggle Is Real: Work-Life Balance Without the Guilt

    Some days it feels like I’m living a double life. I’m in work mode -- teaching grad students or coaching SLPs -- and at the same time my brain is screaming about school picture day forms, dinner plans, or how to get the kids to practice on time. If you’ve ever felt like you’re straddling two boats (bad visual, but you get it), this episode is for you. Today I’m talking about the mental gymnastics of switching between roles -- SLP, mom, partner, caregiver, all of it. And more importantly, why it feels so hard (spoiler: your brain isn’t broken, it’s human) and what we can actually do about it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why context switching drains your energy (especially for ADHD brains)How unrealistic expectations create guilt — and what to do instead3 strategies to make the juggle feel less like chaosMindset shifts that actually make strategies stickIf This Resonates… If this hit home, I’d love to help you untangle the work-life blend in a way that actually works for you. Book a free consult—we’ll figure it out together. 📌 Book a free 1:1 consult here 👥 Join the free FB group here Keywords: work-life balance SLP, context switching ADHD, overwhelmed speech pathologist, executive functioning challenges, productivity for SLPs, ADHD time management, juggling work and family, strategies for balance To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    28 min

  2. SEP 9

    116. Why Your Systems Don’t Stick — and How to Fix It

    Tired of setting up “perfect” systems that fizzle out by week two? You’re not broken...your systems just don't match your brain's way of thinking. In this episode, I walk you through three coaching lenses I use with clients to design ADHD-aware systems that actually stick. You’ll get simple questions to guide your setup and one killer tip that saves your future self time (and sanity). What You’ll Learn: Why past systems fell apart (hint: misalignment, not laziness)The three coaching lenses that make systems brain-friendly:Access: Where would you naturally look for this later?Recognition: How should it be labeled so your brain identifies it fast?Organization: Do you work better with one hub or smaller, separate parts?Quick Coaching Prompts (save these) Access: “What’s the first place I’d go to find this?”Recognition: “How can I label/save this so I know what it is instantly?”Organization: “Do I want one master doc or many small docs—and which is easier on a low-energy day?”Killer Tip (the one that changes everything) As you build your system, keep a notepad or blank doc open and jot each step while you do it. Don’t worry about perfect order or wording—treat it as a working document you’ll refine over time. Momentum over memory. Resources Mentioned Free virtual body-doubling on Tuesdays at 12pm ET (Zoom) — sign up here Facebook Group: Time Management for the Busy SLPBook a free consult: https://cutt.ly/ywVWsPy5 To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    24 min

  3. SEP 2

    115. Crushing It or Just Masking? The Hidden Burnout Plaguing SLPs

    From the outside, you look fine. Maybe you’re the SLP who’s always polished, always on time, always hitting deadlines. Or maybe you’re the one quietly behind — reports late, notes piled up, emails unanswered — but still working hard to appear as if you’ve got it together. Either way? It’s exhausting. And it’s what we call masking. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the hidden burnout so many SLPs are carrying — whether you’re overachieving to keep up appearances or working overtime just to look like you’re keeping up. Here’s what we’ll cover: Two of the most common faces of masking for SLPs (and why both are unsustainable)Why masking feels safer in the moment, but silently drains your energy and confidenceThe overlap between ADHD, executive dysfunction, and masking in professional lifeHow to recognize the gap between what people see and what you’re actually experiencingPractical ways to loosen the mask and reclaim authenticity — without shame and without burning everything downIf you’ve ever thought things like, “They think I’m doing great… but if they only knew...” or "How is it that everyone else can keep up and I'm over here drowning..." this episode is for you. You are not alone, and you don’t have to keep pushing through silently. 📌 Resources & Links: 💬 Book a free 1:1 consult → If you’re tired of keeping up appearances while struggling behind the scenes, I can help. Let’s talk about how coaching can support you.🎧 Related Episodes:Ep. 112: ADHD, Self-Trust, & the Follow-Through Problem No One Talks AboutEp. 113: Why ADHD Makes You Freeze -- and How to Finally Get Unstuck👥 Join the free FB group → Time Management for the Busy SLPKeywords: SLP burnout, ADHD masking, productivity for speech pathologists, executive dysfunction, work-life balance for SLPs, overwhelmed SLPs To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    40 min

  4. AUG 26

    114. Back-to-School Chaos: ADHD-Friendly Sanity Strategies for Overwhelmed SLPs

    You love your kids. You love summer. But right about now? You’ve had enough. The lack of structure, the endless snacks, the back-to-school forms piling up—it’s a lot. And if you’re feeling scattered, behind, or just plain wiped, you’re not failing. You’re human. In this episode (pulled from a Facebook Live), I’m talking about what this season actually feels like for SLPs, why it’s so tricky for ADHD brains, and the mindset + systems shifts that can keep you afloat until routines return. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why this season feels so hard (hint: it’s not just you)The power of naming what’s happening out loud to defuse shameWhat it really means to be gentle with yourself—and how to build up to itMy go-to strategy for B- work: the Minimum Viable Product approachPractical cues, reminders, and supports that actually help when life is chaosA quick mindset reframe that puts you back in the driver’s seatWhether you’re trying to keep up with eval reports, school paperwork, or just laundry and snacks on repeat, this episode will help you feel less alone—and remind you that you do have options (none of which involve being perfect). To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    32 min

  5. AUG 19

    113. Why ADHD Makes You Freeze -- and How to Finally Get Unstuck

    If you’ve ever experienced the ADHD freeze -- you sit down to write an evaluation report, tackle session notes, or finally make a dent in that load of laundry -- and somehow end up doom-scrolling, spiraling, and doing absolutely nothing productive while the clock keeps ticking—this episode is for you. I’m breaking down what’s actually happening when you freeze up and can’t seem to get started (spoiler: it’s not laziness). Whether have ADHD, suspect you're neurodivergent, or just an overwhelmed SLP, you’ll learn why freeze happens and how to start moving again with simple, low-pressure strategies. 👉 This episode is part of my ADHD + Productivity series—so if freeze mode has been your default lately, make sure to check out Episodes 111 and 112 for more tips and strategies In this episode, we’ll talk about: The three most common causes of the “freeze” response (executive dysfunction, emotional flooding, nervous system shutdown)Why writing a report isn’t just writing a report—and why your ADHD brain resists itWhy naming what’s happening out loud can actually shift you out of paralysisThe two-minute trick I use to get unstuck (and why it works)What it means to “meet your brain where it’s at” instead of fighting it 📌 Links & Resources: 💬 Book a free 1:1 consult → If you’re tired of the ADHD freeze, I can help. I’ve got 3 coaching spots open this month. Let’s build a plan that actually works with your ADHD brain. 🎧 Episode 112: ADHD, Self-Trust, & the Follow-Through Problem No One Talks About 🎧 Episode 111: Time Management Myths That are Screwing With Your ADHD Brain To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    17 min

  6. AUG 12

    112. ADHD, Self-Trust, & the Follow-Through Problem No One Talks About

    Ever tell yourself, “This week will be different”… and by Tuesday, it’s a dumpster fire? Or make a To-Do List, ignore it for days, and then use that as “proof” you’re not capable? Congrats, you're human. But guess what? The problem isn’t your ability to follow through—the problem is the hit your self-trust takes when it happens.  And that’s what we’re digging into today: how self-trust breaks down, why ADHD brains feel it harder, and how to rebuild it without white-knuckling your way through life. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on: What self-distrust actually looks like (it’s sneakier than you think)The overcommit → fall short → shame → try harder → repeat cycleWhy it’s not laziness or lack of motivation—it’s your nervous system + executive (dys)functioning at workMy 3-step framework for rebuilding self-trust (plus 2 bonus strategies you can start today)Whether you have ADHD or not, you’ll walk away with practical, real-life ways to keep promises to yourself—and stop letting one “off” day derail your progress. Mentioned in This Episode: Episode 32: How to Be ConsistentEpisode 42: Start Treating Yourself Like a Client! To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    36 min

  7. AUG 5

    111. Time Management Myths That Are Screwing With Your ADHD Brain

    If you’ve ever heard popular productivity strategies like Eat That Frog, the Eisenhower Matrix and--my personal favorite-- just do it and found yourself thinking, "Why CAN'T I just do it? What's wrong with me??" then this episode is for you.  In this kickoff to a new mini-series on ADHD and time management, I’m breaking down: Why popular productivity strategies fall flat for neurodivergent brainsHow executive functioning actually impacts “simple” tasks like writing a reportThree well-known approaches (Eat That Frog, Just Do It, and the Eisenhower Matrix) that might be stressing you outA reframe that’s way more helpful than “I’m just lazy”💡Spoiler: The problem isn’t you—it’s the strategy. Let’s talk about what actually works for ADHD brains. To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    23 min

  8. JUL 29

    110. From 4 Kids to Coaching: My Real-Life Productivity Routines

    If you’ve ever looked around at your chaotic life and thought, "Is it just me, or are we all drowning??” then this episode is for you.  Today I’m pulling back the curtain and walking you through what a typical weekday looks like for me while raising my four kids, juggling my coaching practice, and chasing after two crazy dogs.  You’ll hear how I break my day into four quarters (because honestly, it feels like four separate days), the systems that keep me grounded, and where I’ve learned to just let things go. This is a real-life look at how I stay productive without burning out, and how I build in flexibility instead of forcing rigid routines. Here’s what I talk about: What my days look like—from quiet(ish) mornings to chaotic eveningsHow I decide what gets done when (and what doesn't get done at all!)Why Google Calendar is my brain + how we use a Skylight for the familyThe Time Bucket System I created to feel progress in all my rolesHow I’ve redefined productivity to work with my energy—not against itResources Mentioned: Download the Time Bucket System TemplateJoin the SLP Support Group on FacebookWant support building a version of productivity that actually fits your life (and your brain)? That’s exactly what I help my 1:1 coaching clients do. I’ve got spots open—reach out through the link in the show notes and we can see if we're a good fit! To find out how I can help you improve your work-life balance, click here. Come join the SLP Support Group on Facebook for more tips and tricks! Follow me on Instagram! @theresamharp Learn more about Theresa Harp Coaching here.

    23 min
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A podcast about coaching strategies and time management tips for busy SLPs, PTs, OTs, therapists, and private practice owners who want to feel successful in their personal and professional life at the same time. Let's take back control of your time! 

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