Interview with Private Practice SLP: Halle Demchuk

My name is Halle Demchuk, and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. I work 4-days a week as an employee providing Northern fly-in and virtual services to 5 remote Indigenous communities that are only accessible by plane. This is my third year in that position. In April 2023 I also opened my own neurodiversity-affirming private practice called HAEPI SLP THERAPY SERVICES (pronounced ‘happy’), and I currently see clients 2 full days a week through my business. I have also hired 6 subcontractors (SLPs and SLP assistants) with HAEPI! A fun fact is that I have a swimming and paddleboarding cat named Beth. 

What did you go to school for? 

I studied my Honours Bachelors in Science majoring in Biology, followed by my Masters of Applied Science in Speech-Language Pathology. 

What is your current job title and how has that changed since you first started working?

I am still a speech-language pathologist, just like when I graduated, however now I also own and operate my own private practice on the side. When I first started working, I was a working in a publicly-funded children’s treatment centre. I learned a lot in my year there, but due to restrictions with the centre, we were not permitted to see private clients. The flexibility of seeing clients privately and specializing as a therapist has allowed me to become a much more confident and competent SLP, and I enjoy my work much more. 

What made you decide to become a therapist?

I’ve always seen myself going into a healthcare profession, and knew about speech-language pathology from a young age because my mother used to work as a speech language assistant. I really love that speech-language pathology is a science and an art, and there is a lot of thinking on your feet and no two days are ever the same. I love the ability to have a work-life balance (I am still getting there – but it is possible!), and not working shift work. Since I work primarily with paediatrics, I also love using PLAY in my interventions. 

What are some different roles you’ve held since becoming a therapist? Feel free to include any side hustles/part time work!

I worked for a year in a children’s treatment centre with children with complex needs between the ages of 5-12. I left that position to join my current salaried position providing virtual and fly-in services to 5 Indigenous remote communities in Northern Ontario. Around that time, I began “dabbling” in private practice on the side and realized I loved it! It also allowed me to have more financial security and buy my first house. I continued working as a subcontractor for two private practices on the side for 1.5 years, before opening my own private practice.

What would you share with someone who wanted to find a position like yours or build a company/brand such as yours?

If something doesn’t feel right about a company or resonate with your personal values, don’t stay – you can build your own business that you are proud of. Working in private practice doesn’t make you “shady”– you ARE more accountable to your clients and you will be able to service them in a way you are proud of. Starting on your own may feel daunting, but everything is “figure-out-able”. Hire what you can’t or don’t want to do to other professionals.  

What would you share with someone who is starting their journey to be a therapist?

If there’s a certain area you see yourself specializing in, go for it! There can be a misconception that you need to be a generalist for years before specializing but that is simply not true. Investments in more specialized training that sets you apart from others will pay off ten-fold. 

What are you most passionate about with your role as a therapist?

I am most passionate about working with Autistic children in a neurodiversity-affirming and authentic way. I love facilitating communication that is intrinsically motivating and rewarding to my clients. What that means to me is being committed to connection over compliance. This involves:

• Using an individual’s own special interests to guide therapy
• Encouraging the movement of bodies/stimming
• Creating goals that focus on advocating for one’s needs
• Working within while gently expanding their comfort zone. 

What are you most proud of in your journey to where you are today?

I think I am most proud of how my clients and their families have trusted me, and encouraged me to get where I am today. It was my clients’ families who encouraged me to start my own business as well as to look into supervising a Music Therapist to provide Music-Directed Speech Therapy, which is a new type of service that we now offer with HAEPI. Without their trust and encouragement, I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing and I am proud that they had and continue to have faith in me. 

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself and your journey to where you are right now?

I would say I am not a risk-taker, but taking calculated risks have probably contributed to the largest gains I have made in my career. Staying where you are comfortable won’t allow you to grow and really see what you are capable of achieving!

What are ways our readers can connect with you and follow what you are up to?

You can find me at:

Instagram @haepislp

Website: www.haepislp.ca

I also have a podcast coming out shortly with @crescendo.communication

You can also follow my paddleboarding cat on Instagram at @beththecat

What an incredible journey, Halle! Thank you for sharing it with us on Jobs For Therapists.