We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katherine Benkeser a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katherine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
My path to founding Little B Therapy was deeply influenced by both my professional background in early intervention and personal experiences as a parent. Working in early intervention allowed me to witness firsthand the profound impact of providing care within a child’s natural environment and how drastically we can affect the lives of children and their families at a young age. Not only does it make a difference in their quality of life but also how earlier interventions lead to better quality outcomes.
However, it was motherhood and the learning experiences with my three sons as well as striving for work life balance that truly solidified my desire to own my own practice. Navigating their feeding and developmental needs highlighted the importance of consistency and the pivotal role parents and caregivers play in this process. The desire to provide these services while being present for my family led me to envision a practice that prioritized flexibility, parent involvement, and community-based services. This vision became the foundation of Little B Therapy, aiming to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and familial support for my own family and the families of my community.
Once I decided I wanted my own practice I then had to go about creating it. I am not a social media savant but I love networking with professionals in the space and I have really enjoyed learning about their practices, professional sense on child development, infant care, and feeding dyads. These one on one meetings and conversations have given me a fresh breathe of collaboration and sense of belonging while being in solo practice as well as have a robust network of referrals if any patient or family needs additional support in another area. I have collaborated with professionals in perinatal mental health, lactation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, pelvic floor PT, airway dentistry, postpartum and antenatal doula support, as well as a host of preschools and early learning centers. Central to Little B Therapy is a commitment to providing individualized PT services that honor the needs of the child and the family as a whole. It is also important to me that family education and active participation plays a central role because caregiver confidence and self efficacy in our children’s progress and care is critical.
Children don’t come with a manual and we all need outside resources to feel like we can fully support all aspects of growth and learning for our children. I am honored to be there for families in the early days to provide that support. Both my life experiences as well as my professional trainings have directly related to how I view development and intervention for babies and young children. We all begin our lives with breathing, eating, sleeping, and growing; the motor patterns we use and skills we learn from the start shape how we grow.
For those considering this path, my best advice for solo practitioners is to seek support by engaging with mentors, joining professional groups, and network with those professionals in your area. I came from a background of community clinics and neurodevelopment centers where you have a built in team so I knew I needed and wanted to foster that for myself while in private practice because I think all professionals have a wonderful contribution to caring for the whole child. Another thing I have been working diligently on is prioritizing Self-Care because ones own well-being directly impacts your ability to care for others. Overall owning and creating my own practice has been a labor of love but embarking on this journey has been rewarding in so many ways. I am very thankful to do the work I do and be able to show up for my own family in a way that works for us.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Little B Therapy is a pediatric physical therapy practice rooted in early intervention and family-centered care. My journey into this field began with a deep passion for child development and wonder at how the body moves and supports us as we grow. As a high schooler I would babysit for my next door neighbor while their mother and youngest brother had PT to address his brachial plexus injury. I would help the brothers participate so the youngest would do his exercises and we worked together during the sessions. Over the years, I saw how powerful it can be when therapy happens with their caregivers and family actively involved—and how much of a difference early support can make in a child’s life. With a background in sports medicine and a deep love of children Pediatric Physical Therapy was a perfect blend for things I cared about passionately.
At Little B Therapy, I provide pediatric physical therapy services focused on babies and young children, particularly in areas like:
Milestones
Torticollis and plagiocephaly
Developmental delays
Tension and postural asymmetries
Bodywork to foster better breastfeeding
Genetic and Neurologic Diagnoses
Caregiver education and empowerment
What sets my practice apart is the blend of clinical expertise, parent-focused collaboration, and flexibility. I meet families where they are—literally and figuratively. Whether we’re working on strengthening or alignment for posture, milestones, tummy time, head turning, rolling, or functional play, the focus is always on creating real, everyday improvements that parents can feel confident continuing between sessions. I view myself not just as a PT, but as a partner in a family’s journey. I want my families to have activities that they can do at home that is meaningful to the child and fun to promote progress. I believe that true support means looking at the whole child and the whole family system.
For anyone getting to know me and Little B Therapy, here’s what I want you to know: I care deeply about the early years. I believe in empowering parents with knowledge and tools. I’m endlessly curious and committed to learning new techniques and research . And I’m here not just to “treat,” but to support, guide, educate, and celebrate with you through the little wins and wonder at how capable our children can be.
If you’re a parent feeling unsure or overwhelmed about your child’s development, or a provider looking to collaborate, I’d love to connect. Little B Therapy was built with families in mind—because no one should have to navigate those early challenges alone.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, I think the most helpful qualities for succeeding in this field are playfulness, empathy, adaptability, and strong communication skills. Working with young children and their families means meeting them where they are—emotionally, physically, and developmentally. Building trust, empowering caregivers, and adjusting your approach to each child’s unique needs are just as essential as clinical expertise.
Children are natural beings. Unlike adults, they don’t engage in movements or activities that don’t spark curiosity or feel good in their bodies. That’s why you have to think on your feet, adapt to “the child of the day” (because they truly are different each day), and find ways to foster development through play and joy.
Maria Montessori said, “Play is the work of the child,” and I believe that wholeheartedly. While I’m guiding growth through the lens of anatomy and physiology, play is a foundational part of how we work together.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think what helped me build my reputation is a genuine commitment to building relationships. I take the time to really listen to families, meet them where they are, and provide practical, compassionate support that fits into their everyday lives. I had a professor in PT school say that people want to know how much you care before they care how much you know and I find that to be true especially when you are working together to foster a child. Word-of-mouth has been incredibly powerful—families share their experiences because they feel seen, supported, and empowered. In addition I think when families find someone who not only helps their children but they can connect with they feel inclined to share that information with their friends and community.
Also, my focus on collaboration with other professionals has helped create a strong referral network. I love connecting with others in the perinatal and pediatric space, which not only supports my clients more holistically but also reinforces a sense of community around my work. Every professional I have met in this space is so passionate about what they do and have such insight to bring to the table. I enjoy learning how to see a child through these different lenses and the more I learn from others the better it leads to more well rounded care. At the heart of it all is relationships, play, and a deep belief in the power of early support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littlebtherapy.com
- Instagram: Littlebtherapy