Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Ginsburg.
Jessie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My first experience with speech and language therapy was in college at our on-campus clinic. My first client was an eight-year old boy with a rare genetic disorder. His face had been paralyzed for his entire life until he underwent a muscle transfer surgery. My job was to teach him to talk. It was an incredibly moving first hands-on experience, and I don’t know if I would have chosen this profession if it weren’t for meeting that boy. He was the most motivated child, so eager to learn and communicate. That is when I knew that speech-language pathology was truly a life-changing profession.
After college graduation, I used my speech-language pathology assistant license to work for a multidisciplinary clinic in Los Angeles. It was an incredible clinic with a strong mentorship program. I was trained in working with children with autism, running social skills groups, and coaching parents. It was an invaluable learning experience.
I received my Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Chapman University and completed my clinical fellowship in Washington D.C. When my husband and I moved back to Los Angeles, I decided to open my practice.
I chose the name Pediatric Therapy Playhouse because I wanted kids to be excited about coming in for therapy. I could hear them saying, “We’re going to the Playhouse today!” I signed a lease on a small office space. Fast forward five years, and we now have a team of seven therapists and offer a variety of services for children with special needs and their families. I also have two little boys at home, Connor (almost 3) and Tucker (almost 1)!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I opened, there were very few resources available for therapists starting private practices. At the time only 7% of speech-language pathologists were private practice owners. I had to learn everything the hard way, which was through trial and error.
I thought families would find me online once I built a website. I thought I would get these word-of-mouth referrals that people speak of. It was two years before I got a word-of-mouth referral! It just doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of hard work.
Within the first year, my schedule was full, but I had other struggles. I did therapy from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday through Friday and then did paperwork until 11:00 pm. On Saturdays, I did therapy until 4:00 pm. It was a good problem to have!
The number one challenge that I believe any mom and business owner faces is attempting to have a so-called “work-life balance”. I am lucky to have such a wonderful support system. However, with two kids at home, seven team members to manage, and 200 families coming into the office each week, it can be overwhelming…but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Pediatric Therapy Playhouse – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Pediatric Therapy Playhouse is a speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, and social skills clinic in West LA dedicated to helping children lead successful lives.
Every year we expand the services and programs we offer. Not only do we have individual and group therapy, but we have music, dance, and yoga classes, a parent support group, a toddler class, and parent training programs. We take insurance, and not many clinics do. Because of that, services are much more affordable for families. Our team is so close and it is the best feeling to be surrounded every day by such energetic and passionate professionals.
As a business owner, I’m most proud of the community we’ve built within the clinic. Every one of our team members is supportive, compassionate, hard-working, and they truly care about our clients and one another.
As a therapist, I’m most proud of the impact we are making on local families. We see about 200 children per week. That is a lot of little minds that we are shaping and a lot of little hearts that we are holding.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m not striving for Pediatric Therapy Playhouse to be the biggest clinic in Los Angeles, I’m striving for it to be the highest quality. I want our clinic to be a supportive environment where parents feel that they are welcomed with open arms, where they can share resources with one another, where they don’t feel alone. I hope that it can be a true community for children with special needs and their families.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pediatric Therapy Playhouse
10780 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 260
Los Angeles, CA 90025 - Website: https://www.pediatrictherapyplayhouse.com/
- Phone: (877) 799-6949
- Email: info@pediatrictherapyplayhouse.com
- Instagram: @losangeles.kids
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pediatrictherapyplayhouse/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ptplayhouse
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pediatric-therapy-playhouse-los-angeles-3?osq=speech+therapy
Image Credit:
One photo (yellow sweater with baby) by Aimee Silver.
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