We were lucky to catch up with Candace Peterson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Candace, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

A few years ago, I decided it was time to go out on my own and start a business. It was a big risk–but I believed whole-heartedly in starting a therapy practice that provided respectful, child-led, neuro-diversity affirming care to clients.

As a business owner there isn’t anyone to fall back on, you have to organize, plan, and execute every part of your business from the client communication to the financials to the marketing. You have to learn new skills. As a therapist previously, I wasn’t responsible for any of the administrative type work. I had to teach myself and seek resources to learn all other sides of the business outside of the clinical realm!

Candace, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I think most people have heard of pediatric therapies–occupational, speech, and physical. What I have done since I started my business–and what we do differently as a practice–is provide therapy in a different way. Neuro-diversity (ND) affirming care is an approach that more practitioners are adopting, but it is by no means widespread in the therapy world as of right now. It requires practitioners learning from neurodivergent individuals about their lived experience and how they are best supported. It requires a lot of introspection and honesty about what you have done as a therapist in the past and what care you are committed to providing now.

ND affirming care means seeing the child (or adult) in front of you and accepting them fully as they are, their interests, strengths, needs, and neurotype. Letting them lead the way in their care, they can feel safe, respected, and trust the therapist working with them. In this way, their strengths are honored and their needs supported.

How did you build your audience on social media?

One way that I have built a community and gained clientele is through my Instagram profile. I have been raw, honest, and spoke about how I have changed as a therapist. Those I have connected with share that this is what has helped them the most–in finding ND affirming care for their child or themselves, in advocacy efforts, in understanding their child or themselves. I’ve also shared about my own needs, which are sensory processing related. This has helped many people connect with me regarding their sensory needs. My goal has never been to have a huge following on social media, just one that feels genuine.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

By far providing care that is consistently respectful to our clients and hiring other therapists who are able to do the same–is the best marketing tool. Our clients share with others in the community who are looking for that care and they find their way to us!   

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ltwtherapies.com
• Instagram: @ltwtherapies @nurture_OT
• Facebook: facebook.com/ltwtherapies

Image Credits
Jackie Edwards