The SLP Now Podcast

SLP Now

The SLP Now Podcast is your go-to resource for practical speech-language pathology tips. Through this podcast, you'll hear directly from Marisha Mets, a school-based SLP turned research nerd. She’ll be joined by expert guests to answer your biggest questions. Submit your questions at slpnow.com/ask.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 13 min
Why Having Materials Isn’t the Same as Having a System
Show Notes: slpnow.com/263 If you have ever found yourself scrambling for the right therapy materials right before a session, you are not alone. In this episode, I share why the real issue usually is not a lack of materials. It is a lack of a system. We walk through the four parts of a simple workflow: planning, materials, data, and follow through. I also share a story from my own career, plus examples of SLPs who saved time, lowered stress, and felt more confident after building a repeatable process. Resources mentioned: Session Structure course inside SLP Now Thematic Units course inside SLP Now Data Collection course inside SLP Now Ready for more support? slpnow.com/pod
Monday · 50 sec
SLP Summit: LIVE this week!
This is a short and sweet Summit week episode! If you have been feeling stretched thin, this is your reminder that support can make a big difference. The Summit is a simple way to get practical ideas and head into the school year with a better plan. Working smarter, not harder. Sign up at slpsummit.com!
July 21 · 4 min
A Preview of the SLP Summit
It is my favorite time of year! The SLP Summit is almost here! In this episode, I share a quick preview of the July 2026 lineup, including six live courses and two on-demand sessions you can watch through August 15. We talk about AAC, motor learning, stuttering, health literacy, organization, executive functioning, and evidence-based therapy planning. Register at slpsummit.com!
July 14 · 10 min
How to Feel Prepared for Back to School as an SLP
Show Notes: slpnow.com/260 A lot of us think being prepared for back to school means having every lesson planned and every material printed. In this episode, I share a simpler way to think about it. Prepared means being clear on your caseload, clear on your priorities, and clear on your next few steps. I also walk through my 4 step framework to help you get the lay of the land, segment your caseload, set up your core systems, and plan the first two weeks without trying to map out the whole year. We are focusing on rapport, routines, and quick baseline data, working smarter, not harder. Resources: - Episode 21: slpnow.com/21 - Free trial: slpnow.com/pod - Join the webinar on August 3: (SIGNUPLINK)
July 7 · 19 min
The Invisible Workload: Why Your Caseload Number Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Show Notes: slpnow.com/259 A caseload number can look tidy on paper, but it never tells the whole story. In this episode, I break down why caseload does not equal workload, what the 2024 ASHA survey tells us, and why so many school based SLPs feel stretched thin even when the numbers look manageable. I also walk through a simple way to make invisible work visible, so you can use data and clear language to advocate for support without making it personal. If you are feeling behind, this is your reminder that the system may be the problem, not you. Resources: - 2024 ASHA schools survey - SLP Now Academy - slpnow.com/pod
June 30 · 14 min
The SLPs Who Left Work on Time All Year: What They Did Differently
Show Notes: slpnow.com/258 What if it actually felt doable to leave work at work? In this episode, I’m sharing five things I’ve seen school based SLPs do to leave on time more consistently. It is not about caring less. It is about building systems that make the job more manageable. I talk about planning ahead, giving every part of the job a home, documenting as you go, and protecting your energy. If you’ve been telling yourself that staying late is just part of being a good SLP, this episode is your reminder that burnout is not a badge of honor. There is a better way, and it starts with one repeatable system. Working smarter, not harder. Resources: - Follow along on Instagram: instagram.com/slpnow - Email: hello@slpnow.com - Sign up for a free trial: slpnow.com/pod
April 28 · 6 min
How to Run a Group When Everyone Has Different Goals
Show Notes: slpnow.com/257 Mixed groups are a reality for most school-based SLPs, and managing them well takes the right tools. In this episode, Marisha walks through how the SLP Now Visuals Binder makes it work, covering how to use it digitally in a pinch, how to test what works for your students, and why eventually printing and laminating your go-to visuals changes everything about session flow. The binder covers preschool through 12th grade with 95 pages of evidence-based visuals across early language, grammar, vocabulary, and later language skills. No prep required. Just open it and use it. Already a member? Contact us at hello@slpnow.com to access your binder bundle! Not a member yet? When you upgrade to a monthly or yearly membership, we'll send you the full bundle. Start your free trial: slpnow.com/pod
April 21 · 7 min
How to Collect Probe Data for a Full Group in Under 5 Minutes
Show Notes: slpnow.com/256 Ever finish writing a goal and then realize you have no clear way to measure it at progress report time? You're not alone, and this episode has a fix. I'm walking you through the Digital Probe Binder (nearly 2,300 pages of goal-aligned probes) and showing you exactly how I pair it with goal cards to collect solid data for every student in a group in under five minutes. This combo keeps sessions moving, tells you exactly where each student is at, and makes progress reporting way less stressful. Resources mentioned: - Digital Probe Binder — available inside SLP Now - Data Collection Course — access it free at slpnow.com/pod (complete the course and the binder is automatically sent to you)
April 14 · 6 min
Stop Scrambling for Screeners (There's a Better Way)
Show Notes: slpnow.com/255 Evals coming up and you're still digging through folders looking for the right screener? This episode is for you. In this episode, I'm walking you through the SLP Now Assessment Binder, a 70-page digital resource that lives right on your iPad. No printing. No hunting. Just everything you need, right at your fingertips. I'll show you how this binder covers articulation, phonology, and grade-level assessments across multiple skill areas. And when you pair it with SLP Now's built-in assessment tools, you can collect data, generate goal recommendations, and auto-populate your present levels statement all in one place. In this episode: What the Assessment Binder includes and how to access it How to use the binder alongside the SLP Now assessment tool How the platform auto-generates present levels summaries How to create goals directly from assessment data How to get your full binder inside the membership Resources mentioned: Free Trial: slpnow.com/pod
March 24 · 16 min
Big Groups, Mixed Goals, and ‘Winging It’: How to Run Effective Therapy When Time Is Tight
Show Notes: slpnow.com/254 The vast majority of school-based SLPs don’t have perfectly matched groups, and that doesn’t mean therapy has to be less effective. With the right structure and planning strategy, mixed groups can actually become a powerful way to target multiple goals, support peer learning, and simplify your workload. In this episode, we walk through a practical framework for running structured, efficient therapy sessions, even when your groups include different grade levels and goals. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to segment your caseload so you can plan therapy more efficiently Why language-rich thematic units help you target multiple goals at once A simple way to let students build on each other’s responses in mixed groups How the "Check in → Assess → Teach → Practice → Wrap up" structure reduces cognitive load Three small strategies you can implement immediately to make sessions easier If you'd like help setting this up for your own caseload, you can explore the tools and units inside a free trial at slpnow.com/pod.
March 18 · 7 min
How School-Based SLPs Can Reclaim 5 Hours Every Week (Without Working Nights or Weekends)
Show Notes: slpnow.com/253 If you had five extra hours this week (completely protected from meetings, paperwork, and emails), how would you use them? Many school-based SLPs say they’d spend that time collaborating with teachers, analyzing student progress, planning more intentional therapy, or simply taking a real lunch break. In this episode, we explore why those meaningful parts of the job often get squeezed out + what you can do to start reclaiming that time. In this episode, we discuss: Why the gap many SLPs feel isn’t a competence problem How reducing rework can save hours of therapy planning each week Simple ways to batch decisions and reduce decision fatigue Why tracking your “invisible work” can help advocate for a more manageable workload If therapy planning, paperwork, and prep are taking over your evenings and weekends, you can start your free trial at slpnow.com/pod to explore tools designed to help you streamline the process and get that time back.
March 10 · 16 min
How to Plan Effective Speech Therapy Sessions When You Have No Time
Show Notes: slpnow.com/252 School-based SLPs don’t struggle with planning because they’re disorganized; they struggle because their workload is overflowing. And when something has to give, therapy planning is often the first thing sacrificed. But thoughtful, structured planning is what actually makes therapy more efficient and effective. In this episode, you’ll learn: A simple 5-step session structure to reduce cognitive load How to use goal-aligned materials to plan in minutes (not hours) Why thematic units dramatically cut decision fatigue A 30-second habit that makes future planning easier How structure improves student progress and behavior If you’re ready to make therapy planning sustainable, start your free trial at slpnow.com/pod and put these systems into action.
March 3 · 9 min
You Are Not the Problem: Caseload vs. Workload for School-Based SLPs
Show Notes: slpnow.com/251 A caseload of 63 students doesn’t tell the full story of your job. School-based SLPs juggle therapy, evaluations, IEP meetings, Medicaid billing, AAC programming, travel time, and more — yet capacity is often measured by one number. In this episode, we unpack the difference between caseload and workload, why “the math isn’t mathing,” and how to shift the conversation with clarity and confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between caseload and workload (and why it matters) Four principles to manage impossible workloads How to protect your contract hours without guilt Simple ways to document and make your workload visible How to approach administrators with clear, objective data If paperwork and planning are part of your overwhelm, check out our free trial at slpnow.com/pod.
February 24 · 14 min
Paperwork Time Savers for School-Based SLPs (That Actually Reduce Burnout)
Show Notes: slpnow.com/250 Paperwork doesn’t have to be the reason this job feels unsustainable. In this final episode of our paperwork series, we zoom out and look at why burnout is often a systems problem (not a passion problem), and what actually helps school-based SLPs get paperwork done more efficiently. You’ll hear practical ways to reduce cognitive load, create repeatable workflows, and make steady progress without adding more stress to your plate. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Identify your biggest paperwork stressors and prioritize what matters most Use a “buffet” approach to implement systems without overwhelm Plan IEPs and evaluations in a way that supports working ahead Create reliable workflows that make paperwork feel manageable and sustainable If you’re ready to make paperwork feel lighter, pick one strategy from this episode and try it this week.
February 17 · 11 min
How to Write IEPs & Evaluations Faster (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Show Notes: slpnow.com/249 Writing IEPs and evaluations doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch every single time. In this episode, we break down simple, systems-based strategies that help school-based SLPs write reports faster—without cutting corners or second-guessing their clinical decisions. You’ll learn how small shifts, like templates and text expanders, can reduce overwhelm, boost confidence, and make paperwork feel far more manageable. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Eliminate “blank page syndrome” when writing reports Use templates to streamline IEPs and evaluations Avoid common copy-and-paste mistakes Save hours during progress note season 👉 Tune in to start building a calmer, more efficient paperwork system you can actually sustain.
February 10 · 9 min
Paperwork Organization That Actually Works (Without Creating More Work)
A simple paperwork system can save you hours and protect your focus during the school week. In this episode, I’m sharing an easy way to organize pending IEPs and evaluations so your desk stays clear, you always know what to work on next, and nothing slips through the cracks. You’ll hear my go-to folder + checklist setup, plus flexible options for SLPs who prefer printable systems or digital workflows. In this episode, you’ll learn: A “one-folder-per-student” system to keep paperwork contained How to prioritize paperwork by due date automatically Why checklists reduce errors and last-minute scrambling Printable vs. digital ways to stay consistent and organized How SLP Now can streamline forms, progress monitoring, and reminders Ready to make paperwork easier? Start your free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod.
February 3 · 11 min
Paperwork Planning: How to Decrease Overwhelm
Paperwork doesn’t just take time. It takes up mental space. In this episode, we’re kicking off a 4-part series to help you reduce paperwork overwhelm by building a simple planning system that supports your deadlines (and your sanity). You’ll learn how to map out what’s coming, spot your busiest months, and create realistic weekly goals so you’re not carrying every IEP and eval in your head at once. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Do a quick paperwork inventory to identify your biggest stress points Audit upcoming IEPs/evals by month to plan ahead with confidence Set weekly paperwork goals that reduce decision fatigue and mental load Protect focus time using simple schedule boundaries Try the SLP Now free trial at slpnow.com/pod to access the Paperwork Course + workbook and start building your system.
January 27 · 5 min
My Favorite Books to Teach Story Grammar Elements
Show Notes: slpnow.com/245 Narrative graphic organizers are a simple tool that can unlock stronger storytelling, richer language samples, and better generalization across therapy sessions. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical ways to use a narrative graphic organizer with students across grade levels—whether you’re targeting personal narratives, story retells, or literacy-based therapy goals. These strategies are easy to implement, highly flexible, and designed to reduce overwhelm while supporting clear narrative structure. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Use graphic organizers to scaffold personal narratives Build pre-story knowledge before reading a book or article Support accurate and meaningful story retells Create parallel stories to promote generalization If you want to see these strategies in action and grab free graphic organizers, check out my on-demand SLP Summit course for a deeper dive.
January 20 · 6 min
4 Ways to Use a Narrative Graphic Organizer
Narrative graphic organizers are a simple tool that can unlock stronger storytelling, richer language samples, and better generalization across therapy sessions. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical ways to use a narrative graphic organizer with students across grade levels—whether you’re targeting personal narratives, story retells, or literacy-based therapy goals. These strategies are easy to implement, highly flexible, and designed to reduce overwhelm while supporting clear narrative structure. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Use graphic organizers to scaffold personal narratives Build pre-story knowledge before reading a book or article Support accurate and meaningful story retells Create parallel stories to promote generalization If you want to see these strategies in action and grab free graphic organizers, check out my on-demand SLP Summit course for a deeper dive.
January 13 · 8 min
Why I Don't Write Sequencing Goals (And What I Do Instead)
Sequencing goals are common in IEPs, but do they actually lead to meaningful outcomes? In this episode, I share why I no longer write traditional sequencing goals and what I do instead to support generalization, comprehension, and real-world language use. We’ll look at how isolated sequencing tasks fall short and how embedding sequencing within narrative-based therapy can better support students’ communication skills. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why decontextualized sequencing tasks often don’t generalize How narrative-based frameworks support sequencing, memory, and comprehension Examples of functional, measurable alternatives to traditional sequencing goals Practical ways to scaffold sequencing within real stories and experiences Listen in to rethink how you target sequencing and walk away with ideas you can apply in therapy right away.

The SLP Now Podcast

Why Having Materials Isn’t the Same as Having a System

SLP Summit: LIVE this week!

A Preview of the SLP Summit

How to Feel Prepared for Back to School as an SLP

The Invisible Workload: Why Your Caseload Number Doesn't Tell the Whole Story

The SLPs Who Left Work on Time All Year: What They Did Differently

How to Run a Group When Everyone Has Different Goals

How to Collect Probe Data for a Full Group in Under 5 Minutes

Stop Scrambling for Screeners (There's a Better Way)

Big Groups, Mixed Goals, and ‘Winging It’: How to Run Effective Therapy When Time Is Tight

How School-Based SLPs Can Reclaim 5 Hours Every Week (Without Working Nights or Weekends)

How to Plan Effective Speech Therapy Sessions When You Have No Time

You Are Not the Problem: Caseload vs. Workload for School-Based SLPs

Paperwork Time Savers for School-Based SLPs (That Actually Reduce Burnout)

How to Write IEPs & Evaluations Faster (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Paperwork Organization That Actually Works (Without Creating More Work)

Paperwork Planning: How to Decrease Overwhelm

My Favorite Books to Teach Story Grammar Elements

4 Ways to Use a Narrative Graphic Organizer

Why I Don't Write Sequencing Goals (And What I Do Instead)