Why OTs Shouldn’t Have to Pay Thousands for “Start Your Private Practice” Courses (And What Actually Works Instead)
If you’re an OT, you’ve seen the explosion of ads:
“Launch your dream private practice!”
“Make six figures as a pediatric OT!”
“Financial freedom starts here!”
And then:
Only $2,997 for lifetime access!
These programs promise support, autonomy, and financial transformation.
But many OTs walk away with:
- A big credit card bill
- A bunch of templates
- A course portal they never have time to finish
- Zero paying clients
- Zero systems
- Zero actual infrastructure
- More stress than they started with
OTs deserve better than this.
Let’s talk about why these offers fall short — and what OTs actually need to thrive.
The Real Problem: OTs Don’t Need More Information — They Need Real Infrastructure
1. A Course Can’t Build a Caseload
You can watch every module, fill out every worksheet, and follow every checklist — but none of that brings families to your door.
Caseloads grow through:
- Insurance contracts
- Marketing systems
- Referral networks
- Local presence
- Operational credibility
- Parent word-of-mouth
A $2,000 course does not do this for you.
2. The Price Tag Isn’t Fair
Most pediatric OTs are already stretched thin:
- Graduate school debt
- Licensure fees
- CEU costs
- High cost of living
- Underpaid roles in schools or outpatient
- Unpaid admin work
The idea that OTs should now spend thousands more on a course is not supportive — it’s predatory.
3. Building a Private Practice Is a Full Administrative Job
Most OTs don’t realize how long and complex the process is until they’re already months in.
A course won’t:
- Credential you with insurance
- Handle authorizations
- Collect payments
- Process denials
- Market you locally
- Fill your calendar
- Build your systems
- Create your compliance policies
- Manage scheduling and cancellations
These are operational problems, not educational ones.
4. Most OTs Don’t Actually Want to Run a Business
They want:
- Autonomy
- Time with families
- Flexibility
- Higher earning potential
- A caseload that fits their life
They do NOT want to become:
- Billing specialists
- Web designers
- Social media managers
- Marketing strategists
- Scheduling coordinators
- Insurance experts
- Accountants
Running a business is a second full-time job — and most OTs already have one.
5. There’s a Better Model — One That Doesn’t Require Paying Thousands
OTs should never have to buy access to:
- A caseload
- Administrative support
- Operational systems
- Billing and claims teams
- Scheduling infrastructure
- Parent matching
- A sustainable income
These are things a practice should provide for you, not charge to you.
What OTs Actually Need to Build a Thriving Career
1. Real administrative support
Billing, scheduling, verifications, claims, documentation simplicity.
2. A caseload pipeline
Local families brought to you, not the other way around.
3. Compensation that matches the work
Transparent, predictable, competitive.
4. A model that honors your clinical expertise
Not one that turns you into an unpaid business manager.
5. A way to build a “private practice”–style career without taking on all the risk
OTs deserve freedom — not financial instability.
The Bottom Line: OTs Don’t Need More Courses — They Need Support
Occupational therapists are irreplaceable in pediatric development.
They should not have to burn out or go into debt chasing a dream that requires an administrative army to execute well.
There is a better path — one that gives OTs freedom, autonomy, and real earning potential without requiring them to become full-time business owners.
OTs don’t need another $2,000 guide.
They need a model that actually supports them.
If you’re an OT looking for a sustainable, flexible, high-impact way to grow your clinical career, we’d love to connect.
