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. 22H AGO

    121. Why Documentation Feels Impossible (and What to Do About It)

    If the word documentation makes your eye twitch, you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack why staying caught up on notes, IEPs, and reports feels so hard—especially for those of us with ADHD—and what you can actually do about it. This isn’t about shame or hustle; it’s about understanding your brain, working with it, and ditching the “perfect system” that never lasts longer than a week. What You’ll Learn Why documentation drains your energy (it’s not just about time).How executive functioning skills like initiation and prioritization impact your ability to get started.The sneaky trap of “productive procrastination” and how to spot it.ADHD-friendly strategies to make documentation simpler, faster, and more forgiving.The mindset shift that turns documentation from a stressor into a manageable routine. 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.

    21 min

  2. OCT 7

    120. Executive Functioning and Productivity - What Every SLP Needs to Know

    Executive functioning (EF) isn’t just something you teach your students or talk about in CEUs—it’s the invisible set of skills running your day. When those skills aren’t supported, everything feels harder: tasks pile up, priorities blur, and energy tanks fast. The good news? These skills can be strengthened, and small shifts can make a big difference in both work and home life. What You’ll Learn 10 essential executive functioning skills (plus one bonus) and how they actually show up in daily lifeReal-world examples of how weak spots in EF skills impact productivity, energy, and focusSimple ways to identify where to start if everything feels overwhelmingIf This Resonates… Executive functioning challenges don’t mean you’re lazy or broken—they mean your brain needs support. That’s what coaching is for. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and finally feel more in control of your days, book a free consult. No pressure, just clarity. 📌 Book a free 1:1 consult → https://cutt.ly/ywVWsPy5  👥 Join the FB group → Time Management for the Busy SLP Progress over perfection, always. Keywords: executive functioning skills, ADHD and SLPs, overwhelmed SLP, productivity coaching, ADHD time management, work-life balance, emotional regulation, task initiation 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.

    33 min

  3. SEP 30

    119. 90 Days to Progress (Not Perfection): A Simple Plan That Works

    You know that “Oh crap, the year's almost over” feeling? The pressure to squeeze twelve months of progress into three? If you're a human, chances are you've had some version of that pressure at some point in your life. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s actually possible to accomplish in 90 days…and what’s not worth stressing over. Spoiler: it’s not about magically curing burnout or rewriting your entire identity. It’s about momentum, self-trust, and setting up rhythms that actually stick. Whether you’re closing out the year or just craving a reset, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: How to reframe the pressure of the “final 90 days” so it works for you, not against youThe difference between unrealistic overhaul vs. realistic, sustainable shiftsMy 3-step process to make the most out of your 90 daysWhy building momentum (not perfection) is the smartest goal you can setThe surprising mindset shift that makes the last stretch of the year feel lighterIf This Resonates… If this hit home, I’d love to help you map out your own 90-day plan—one that doesn’t involve burnout, judgment, or chasing every shiny object. Book a free consult, hop into the FB group, and let’s keep this conversation going. Resources & Links 📌 Book a free virtual consult → Schedule now 🎧 Related Episodes: 35. Want to Hit a Goal Faster? Try This 50. Plan Your Week With Me!  54. Reflecting on the First Half of 2024: Journal Questions for SLPs  👥 Join the FB group → SLP Support Group Keywords: 90-day plan, ADHD productivity, overwhelmed SLP, executive dysfunction, end of year reset, sustainable routines, work-life balance, realistic goals 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.

    22 min

  4. SEP 23

    118. Comparing Yourself to Others? Try This Instead

    Ever find yourself scrolling, watching, or listening to colleagues and thinking, “Why am I not there yet?”  You're not alone.  But here’s the thing: comparison doesn’t tell you anything about you. In this episode, I’m unpacking why our brains default to “compare and despair,” how it sometimes helps, and mostly how it gets in our way. If you’ve been questioning your progress against everyone else’s highlight reel, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn Why your brain is wired to compare—and why that’s not a character flawThe difference between productive and harmful comparison (and how to spot which one you’re doing)Coaching questions you can use to reframe the trap in the momentHow to know if what you’re noticing is actually aligned with your goals, or just another shiny objectA practical way to shift focus back to your own vision so you stop spiralingProgress over perfection, always. If this hit home, I’d love to help you quiet the noise and build a week that actually works for you. Book a free 1:1 consult and let’s figure out what balance looks like in your real life. 📌 Book a free 1:1 consult here 👥 Join the FB group here Keywords comparison trap, overwhelmed SLP, ADHD productivity, executive functioning, work-life balance, private practice stress, productivity coaching, stop comparing yourself 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

  5. SEP 16

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

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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