Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea Schmidt.
Hi Rhea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated with my Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California ~ ten years ago. I started my career working in an outpatient practice in Santa Monica treating primarily adults with neurological and orthopedic conditions. I obtained my specialty certification in neurology and developed a strong interest in motor skill development and learning. Over the last ten years, my husband and I gradually moved south and we eventually landed in the South Bay ~2-3 years ago. ~Five years ago, I made the jump into Pediatrics and fell in love with it.
I never really intentionally planned on starting a practice of my own. I enjoy the clinical and connection side of therapy and am truly intimidated by the business side. It wasn’t until I had two children of my own did the concept of Grow Well start to form. When I became a parent, I experienced firsthand how overwhelming raising a baby can be. Managing common issues like tongue and lip ties or milestone concerns can be scary and intimidating, and especially so if you’re struggling to find the right provider to talk to. After the birth of my first daughter, I met more moms in the community and saw firsthand how common it was to have unheard questions and concerns about their baby’s motor skills and development and struggle to get care. I’ve just seen so many babies with movement delays slip through the cracks. These delays need to be identified early and therapy needs to start quickly and be personalized to the child and the family. There are a lot of built-in barriers to navigating the current system (like finding the right provider, waiting for insurance authorizations and approvals, waitlists, etc.) and just the nature of being a busy parent (difficulty getting to appointments consistently and carrying over what they’ve learned).
In 2020, I left the conventional setting to have my second daughter and create Grow Well PT, with a very strong mission to help young children and their families. I focus on the following:
– Equipping parents with the knowledge they need to recognize signs and identify the need for help early.
– Addressing movement or development issues early and vigorously.
– Empowering families with knowledge and tools they need to help their child “grow well”.
I’ve built a practice that provides one on one physical therapy sessions in the home with a focus on collaborating with the family and making sure they feel supported and are active decision-makers and participants in their child’s care. I want to humanize PT care and make sure that families know that their unique needs matter and that I’m here to help.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, I’m really just getting started. I’ve only started taking patients since February of 2022. I would say the primary struggle was a universal one. Raising my young daughter while pregnant in the middle of a pandemic was stressful and the typical support systems to lean on just weren’t there. It jumpstarted my interest and drive to support babies and parents. Parents need support now more than ever and ultimately just really need to have their concerns heard. I often carve out time to hear a parent’s concerns and their baby’s history prior to scheduling, and the surprise in their voices when someone has taken the time to listen is just a big indicator that we really need to be taking the time to connect and take care of people.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I provide Physical Therapy in the home to children with a focus on ages 0-3. I help address motor skills when babies aren’t meeting these milestones (such as rolling, crawling, sitting, walking, etc.). I also treat conditions seen in children like torticollis, plagiocephaly, toe walking, developmental coordination disorder, and other neurological or genetic conditions that impact motor skills. I also provide in-person and virtual wellness consultations to assist with providing an overview or check of a baby’s motor skills, provide purposeful play ideas and set up of a play environment to encourage motor development, and teach infant massage.
I’m most proud of the way the practice is set up to take the time to connect with and support my families.
I also provide education and wish to empower all parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their child’s motor development. I’m currently working on an online course to help guide parents through the first year of baby’s life to help support development of good quality movement.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
My business/practice is so brand new, but the biggest lesson I’ve learned personally as a parent is to just trust your gut and seek help when you need it.
If you are feeling like something is just not right in regards to your child, advocate and do what you need to do to get the care your child needs. No one knows your child like you know your child. I as a therapist, am just here to help you help your child.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: growwellpt.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/growwellpt
- Facebook: facebook.com/growwellpt
Image Credits
The primary photo (my family and I) is by Trish Olivera of The Boho House
