
Focus
As a first generation American, this SLP and private practice owner shares her background and why she decided to transition to private practice after working in a hospital setting. Listen to her wisdom as she talks about teamwork, support, and what it takes to be a successful SLP.
Discussion & Reflection Questions
- Tell us about who you are, your background, and why you decided to go into the field of speech pathology.
- Tell us about your private practice.
- Why did you decide to transition from a hospital setting to private practice? What was that like?
- Where can SLPs who may not have a support team find one?
- What are some things private practice owners want employees to know, from your perspective?
- How is your decision-making influenced when it comes to hiring and working with employees?
- What advice would you give newer speech pathologists looking to branch out and start their own private practices?
- What words of wisdom do you have for the SLPs who are starting out or transitioning in their careers?
Quote Of The Conversation
“ …I knew that the education piece was going to keep me dynamic, marketable, and capable of doing my craft and of doing what I set out to do. So don’t be scared to invest in yourself…Talk to someone that has vision, and can use their expertise to push your vision along.”
– Michele C. Linares, MS CCC-SLP
Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist, The Learning Grove
Michele C. Linares, MS CCC-SLP

Michele Linares previously worked as an SLP and clinical supervisor at CSUN for graduate students. She now runs her own private practice, The Learning Grove, where she treats a broad scope of speech, language, and swallowing issues.
The Learning Grove serves as a training site for seven different SLP and SLPA programs, offers 12 different languages, and provides both face-to-face services and teletherapy. In addition to running The Learning Grove, Linares has won the CSU, Northridge Volunteer Service Award and CSU, Northridge CDS Distinguished Alumni award; employed and trained countless SLP/SLPA students and SLPS during a recessions and pandemic without missing a beat; successfully adding SLPA to Title 17 as part of the CSHA Early Intervention Committee; wrote a CSHA position letter on natural environment and did the translation in Spanish; and was part of the CSHA 200 by Two video.
Michele is also the current Chair of the Advocacy Committee and Chair-elect for the California Speech-Language Hearing Association.
Download the episode transcribe and study guide
Keep the Conversation Going
Guest Speaker Information
Michele C. Linares, MS CCC-SLP Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist, The Learning Grove
Phone – +1 (818) 758-9180
Email – mlinares@thelearninggrove.org
Website – www.thelearninggrove.org
Facebook – @TLGSpeechLanguagePathology
Instagram – @thelearninggrove
Upcoming SLP Spotlight Guests
- Jena Castro-Casbon, The Independent Clinician
- Kelli Slemp, Speedy SLP
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Not a substitute for a formal SLP education or medical advice for patients/caregivers.
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