We caught up with the brilliant and insightful ASHLEY FIORILLI a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
ASHLEY, appreciate you joining 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?
I’ve had this dream of creating my own business lurking in the background of my mind for almost 10 years. The idea took a few different forms which led me down different paths, different companies to work for, and different learning opportunities. At first, it was integrating a yoga practice for autistic children and looking at that practice as a way to support social skills and coping strategies. Then the dream shifted to creating an international company focused on supporting families and caregivers of autistic children in ways that were sustainable and meaningful for them. Then I just knew after years of working for others, that it was me supporting people in meaningful ways. Whether those individuals were neurotypical or neurodiverse.
In 2019, I was starting to set myself up to make the transition from a typical 9-5 setting, to my own independent practice. I had my timelines all in mind, I was preparing to do it mindfully for myself and my current clients at the company that I worked for. Welp, the “plan” never works out right?! I ended up getting laid up and thrust into my private practice about 4 months earlier than I had hoped. So in 2019, I launched my own practice with myself and minimal resources. The beauty of the launch into private practice was that the overhead was low. I didn’t and still don’t have a physical brick and mortar space. So my practice is fully functional as a telehealth model. I can reach more individuals and support in different areas of the country, which is amazing!
The biggest challenge at the start was fear. Fear of getting it wrong, Fear of not making enough money, Fear of seeming separate from my field and colleagues. The initial step included a lot of mindset work, mindset around abundance and money, and trusting in myself. The years and skills I had invested in myself and my abilities were worthy of being offered and received by others out there. I had to live in that mantra at the start. Of course there are the logistical learning curves of business formation, designation, plan, insurance etc… Outsource and Outreach another motto to use when building a business. Outsource the things you know you want nothing to do with as a business owner. For me, that was insurance billing and technology on the backend. Outreach to other owners in your area, others who have taken the leap, who have the qualities you want for yourself in your business. Pick their brains consciously. I say consciously because they have a business too. They may be happy to help and connect AND they may have an offering that is what you need. Be willing to invest and pay for that support. Don’t assume the Outreach will always help you for free.
Looking back, I wouldn’t have done anything differently in starting up my own practice. Each curve and turn was a learning opportunity that’s made me a better business owner for myself and my clients. Take the lessons, integrate, and move forward with more clarity and motivation than before. Take the lessons, step back, and reframe systems if you need to. The lessons are a catalyst for forward motion and change. Use them wisely.
If you are looking to start your own practice – Take a breath, relish in the joy and excitement of the creative spark. Ask yourself how willing are you to put yourself out there? to know no one else will hold you accountable to your business tasks but you? to know you can do it AND doing it won’t always be easy?
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I started working in the field of human services in 2006. I initially worked with infants and toddlers with developmental delays, as well as those who were deaf and hard of hearing or visually impaired. Over the last 13 years, I have worked with individuals with autism and related disabilities in school, home, clinic, and group settings. It was through this work that I started to dream up the idea of my own practice. I had organized and implemented social skills groups with autistic children and really felt like something was lacking. The approach without a way to keep the nervous system calm, was mismatched for me. I never knew how to articulate that and how to support the evolution of the science of what I do until much later in my career.
On paper, I completed my doctorate in International Psychology, with an emphasis in Organizations and Systems from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2014. The provided a foundation for creating sustainable change through connective collaboration. Since 2014, I have received vast training on the framework of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), which fueled my passion for helping others across the lifespan and all abilities. I have continued to expand my ACT skill set over the last 5 years, with workshops, conferences, practicums, and focused training. In 2018, I completed my 200 hours in Yoga Teacher Training, which augmented my skill set in implementing ACT services, across clients. In addition, in 2020, I completed my 500 hours in Yoga Teacher Training.
And then the magic happened. Yoga and ACT became my love language of being able to communicate the things I couldn’t earlier in my career. Yoga and ACT became the way I could see myself helping others flourish, find their voice, and create change in their own lives. So that all melded together to create Be Still Be Connected, in 2019. My offerings currently include 1:1 Holistic & Clinical Behavior Analysis, Professional Development for other Behavior Analysts, Memberships focused on self-care and development, and more!
I support women in finding comfort in their own bodies, creating change within their own self-care and wellness patterns, through the tools of behavior analysis and acceptance. I take an approach rooted in science and collaboration. I help clients clarify actions related to their values and find a meaningful way for those actions to be put into their daily routines. I can provide accountability but I believe in flexibility and workability. This means, I’m constantly asking, is this adding more openness, awareness, and engagement in your day to day? If yes, let’s continue the work. If not, let’s pull back and reflect, notice where we’re constricting and narrowing the ability to be present. And start from there.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Authenticity. I work with other behavior analysts that have the fear that they won’t find their clients. But the truth of the matter is that your people will find you, your people are there. Make sure to speak to them clearly. Show them what you can offer in a way that’s whole-heartedly you.
Courage. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Find referral sources and list yourself. In the beginning, I had chosen to list myself on a referral source that was primarily for psychotherapist (which I am not licensed under those credentials) but I listed myself as a Behavior Analyst. My profile application was initially rejected. I responded, showing evidence of the credential, along with peer reviewed journals, to state my case that indeed Behavior Analysis should be allowed to list on the site. Guess what? They approved my profile and I’ve gotten 10 clients through that source!
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
For other behavior analysts that are looking to expand into private practice, I believe it’s critical to understand the background of trauma and how the experience of trauma may impact the way you provide services. In learning about trauma, it’s not only reflective for your own growth, but it changes the perspective and approach to the clients. It provides a more compassionate and humanistic lens in how we look at those we serve.
I also believe that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a beautiful framework for acknowledging thoughts and feelings in a way that stays true to the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. Thinking is a behavior, Acknowledge that thoughts impact the way we act, and we can intervene on both thinking and observable behaviors. Get the training, get the knowledge, if not for yourself but for clients of various abilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bestillbeconnected.com
- Instagram: @ashnfio
Image Credits
Emilie Bers