n this episode of The Grow Together Podcast, Kate dives into the fascinating world of sensory processing and explains how understanding your child's sensory system can be a game-changer. From visual, auditory, and tactile senses to interoception—the internal signals that guide our feelings and physiological needs—this episode provides a comprehensive overview of how each sense influences behavior, emotional regulation, and daily functioning.

Kate shares practical examples, including a case study of a child who seeks more proprioceptive input during nap time, illustrating how sensory strategies like weighted blankets or active engagement can help regulate behavior and foster better self-control.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or therapist, you'll learn how to recognize sensory cues and use this knowledge to create a calmer, more responsive environment. Discover how occupational therapists utilize sensory insights to empower individuals to live their best lives.

Key Takeaways:

• The eight sensory systems (visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, olfactory, gustatory, and interoception) and their role in daily life
• How sensory processing impacts behavior, emotional regulation, and learning
• Practical strategies to support sensory regulation in children
• The importance of holistic, brain-and-body approaches in occupational therapy

Want to deepen your understanding?
Join our community and explore resources to support your child's sensory journey. Remember, understanding the nervous system helps us unlock potential and foster confidence in everyday life.

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
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• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
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• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode, Kate dives into the exciting growth and expansion happening at Grow with Kate and Grow Together Therapy. She shares her personal journey of reclaiming her professional well-being and emphasizes the importance of valuing your work as an occupational therapist. With the field rapidly shifting towards private practice, autonomy, and specialization, Kate encourages therapists to embrace entrepreneurship without leaving their profession. This episode sets the stage for a broader series aimed at helping OTs build fulfilling, autonomous, and financially rewarding careers.

Key Topics Covered:

• Recent Growth & Expansion: Exciting updates including moving into a new space with a nonprofit, accepting state insurance, and serving more families through Impacting Tomorrow.
• Personal Journey: Kate’s experience balancing motherhood and her career, and her realization that her professional self is vital to her well-being.
• Industry Insights: The OT field is growing by 13% (2021-2031), with outpatient therapy becoming a $20 billion industry. There's an increasing trend of OTs seeking autonomy, flexibility, and fulfillment through private practice.
• Empowerment of OTs: The importance of taking back control of your practice, niching into specialized areas, and the mental health benefits of working independently.
• Personal Success Story: Kate’s transition from feeling unfulfilled in previous roles to finding purpose, autonomy, and financial reward through her private practice, Grow Together Therapy.
• Upcoming Series: A comprehensive guide to launching and growing your own private practice, covering business skills, marketing, overcoming challenges, and maintaining autonomy.

Quotes & Highlights:

• "Your professional self is you taking care of yourself."
• "You do not have to leave OT to make money."
• "It is time for us to take back what we practice and own our roles."
• "Growing in private practice means more autonomy, trust, and fulfillment."

Resources:

• AOTA Sources
• BLS OT Outlook
• OT Satisfaction
• AOTA Practice and Revenue

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Episode Summary

Welcome back to the Grow Together Podcast! In today’s episode, Kate dives into one of her all-time favorite topics: the nervous system—and how parents can better understand, regulate, and support themselves in the middle of their child’s big feelings and daily challenges.

Too often, pediatric therapy focuses solely on helping the child regulate—but what about the parents? How do we support you in the middle of the meltdown, when your own nervous system is running on empty?

Kate shares:

• A powerful analogy using the “ladder” model of the nervous system
• What fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown look like in everyday parenting
• The role of the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and why your child’s reactions aren’t personal
• Why you might be dysregulated and how to prepare your own system for tough moments
• Simple, research-supported regulation tools you can use before, during, and after meltdowns
• A gentle reminder that your calm isn’t just helpful—it’s how your child learns to self-regulate

Whether you're in the car before daycare pickup or curled up with headphones after bedtime, this episode is your permission to pause, breathe, and remember: you're doing a beautiful job.

Key Takeaways

• The nervous system isn’t something to “fix”—it’s something to understand
• Fight/flight and freeze aren’t bad—they’re protective
• Children borrow regulation from calm adults—your presence matters more than perfection
• Parents need (and deserve) regulation tools just as much as their kids
• Transition time, grounding, and somatic breathing are powerful tools you can start today Mentioned in This Episode
• The Ladder Analogy for nervous system states
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child: Co-regulation as a foundation for self-regulation
• Somatic breathing and grounding techniques for daily nervous system support
• Sensory profile support with an OT to discover what drains vs. calms you

Resources + Links

• Impacting Tomorrow The nonprofit Kate mentions in this episode

Favorite Quotes

Tune In + Subscribe

If you loved this episode, share it with a fellow parent or therapist who needs the reminder that they’re not alone in the chao

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

In this episode, Kate shares invaluable insights for occupational therapists building or growing their private practice. She emphasizes the importance of protective policies and strategic practices that help prevent burnout while maximizing income.

Kate discusses the power of hiring a business manager (or creating a pseudo-role) to manage policies, client communication, and protect your time during challenging situations like cancellations and difficult client interactions. She explains how this simple step can create a safety net, freeing you to focus on providing high-quality therapy.

She also dives into the role of telehealth and flexible policies—from rescheduling to across-platform communication—that promote consistency and collaboration with families while reducing the risk of burnout. Kate highlights the importance of clear cancellation and no-show policies, protective session policies, and constant communication to build trust and ensure your practice runs smoothly.

Finally, Kate encourages therapists to stand confidently in the value of what they do, emphasizing that building a full-coverage, flexible model not only benefits families but also supports your own well-being and long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Implement policies that protect your time and income during cancellations and challenging sessions
• Use telehealth and collaboration tools to stay connected and consistent
• The importance of a team/support system—whether real or faux—to strengthen your practice
• Prioritize your well-being and value as a practitioner, because your health directly impacts your clients

If you're ready to elevate your practice, Kate invites you to schedule a coaching session—because you don’t have to do this alone. Get the support you need and build a practice that’s sustainable, impactful, and burnout-free.

Remember: Strong policies, a supportive system, and confidence in your value are the keys to success. Let’s grow together!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Before The Meltdown: Immediate Action Plan

Host: Kate McCommons, OT and Business Coach

Main Topics Covered:

• Why It’s Too Late at Meltdown:
  Meltdowns are signals of nervous system overload, not misbehavior. The brain’s frontal lobe turns off under stress, making learning and regulation nearly impossible during these moments.
• Understanding the Nervous System Buckets:
  • Sensory Bucket: Input from environment (sounds, sights, touch, movement)
  • Autonomy Bucket: Feeling in control, completing tasks, and making choices
• Overflows in these buckets lead to meltdowns. The goal is to keep both “just right” to maintain regulation.
• Prevention Strategies:
  • Create Expectancy: Use routines, clear plans, and visual cues to help children feel safe and in control.
  • Use Declarative Language: Tell children what you are going to do rather than coax or demand.
  • Visual Supports & Labeling: Photos and labels on drawers or tasks can reduce frustration and aid task completion.
  • Closed-Ended Success Tasks: Short, clear activities with a defined start and end to build confidence and prepare the nervous system for transitions.
  • Model Flexibility: Demonstrate how to handle changes or plans not going as expected to normalize the experience.
• Environmental Considerations:
  Understand your child's sensory profile. Some children thrive in noisy environments; others need calm to focus. Aim to tailor the environment to your child's unique sensory needs. Consult an OT for a sensory profile assessment.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Meltdowns are communication, not misbehavior.
  • Prevention is proactive—address the buckets long before overload occurs.
  • Building safety, predictability, and autonomy helps children regulate better.

Final Encouragement:
Parents and therapists are not behind if meltdowns happen. They are part of communication and processing. By combining sensory and task-based strategies, you can support your child's regulation journey.

Join Next Week:
A parent-led approach to self-regulation for caregivers to better support themselves and their children.

Thank you for listening!
Remember, you are a wonderful parent and therapist. We’re all in this together. Have a fantastic day!

Connect with Kate for more insights and support!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Grow Together podcast! Today, I take you on a journey of reflection, relaxation, and real talk about business, culture, and self-care. From my recent family cruise—where I hilariously share my sunburn horror story—to profound insights about creating a sustainable business and the importance of culture, I invite you to pause and reevaluate how we nurture ourselves and our businesses.

Tune in as I discuss my weekend unplugged—no wifi, no emails, just waves, palm trees, and plenty of Shirley Temples. I share how stepping back helped me see that my business can thrive even when I’m taking a well-deserved break, emphasizing that sometimes, ‘lateral’ consistency beats constant growth. I reflect on my personal journey of not losing myself in my role as CEO and how important it is to stay true to who you are in both your personal and professional life.

Through heartfelt stories and insights, I explore the power of culture—both within my business and in life—and how the foundational mindset shapes the environment for success. Inspired by a Netflix documentary about OceanGate, I highlight how a toxic culture can be the undoing of even the most innovative endeavors. My message is clear: whether you're starting a practice, growing an existing one, or pursuing a side hustle, it all begins with how you talk to yourself and the culture you create for those around you.

I want to end on an uplifting note: you are capable of more than you realize. The secret to unstoppable success lies in building a culture rooted in authenticity, care, and community—and it all starts today, with you.

Join me as I encourage us all to take the leap, build that culture, and remember—we’re stronger, happier, and more fulfilled when we grow together.

Connect with Kate:
Instagram: @growwithkate_
Website: thegrowwithkateprogram.com

Stay inspired and keep GROWING!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode, Kate explores the concept of interoception—the body’s internal sense that informs us about what’s happening inside. Often overlooked, interoception plays a vital role in emotional regulation, communication, and behavior. Whether you're a parent seeking to better understand your child's actions or a therapist supporting clients with sensory processing differences, understanding and supporting interoception can be transformative.

Join us as Kate shares practical insights, real-world examples, and effective strategies to develop this critical skill, empowering children and adults to better recognize, label, and respond to internal cues.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What is interoception and why it’s fundamental to emotional and behavioral regulation
• How interoception impacts sensations like hunger, thirst, temperature, heartbeat, and emotional states
• Common signs of interoception difficulties and how they can manifest in behavior
• The importance of internal body awareness for self-regulation and social-emotional success
• Practical activities to support the development of interoception in children and adults, including body part identification and body check exercises
• How strengthening interoception enhances empathy, communication, and resilience

Resources & Links:

• Kelly Malher’s Interoception Curriculum
• Body awareness activities and tips to support interoception development
• PARENTS: Schedule a consultation with Kate for personalized guidance on supporting sensory and emotional regulation
• THERAPISTS: Visit Kate’s website for more resources and tips:

Connect with Kate:
[Social media links or website]

Subscribe & Review:
Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review to help others discover the importance of interoception in emotional and behavioral health!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Grow Together podcast, Kate dives into the often-mysterious world of setting your therapy rates and building a profitable, sustainable private practice. Whether you're new to private practice or looking to refine your pricing strategy, this episode provides practical tips to confidently price your services, protect your time, and increase your income—without burning out.

Kate emphasizes the importance of valuing your skills, experience, and niche, while also sharing insights on different pricing models, policies, and mindset shifts necessary for financial success. Learn how to make your practice more profitable, sustainable, and aligned with your goals, all while serving your clients with integrity and excellence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your rates should reflect your value, expertise, and the investment you've made in your education and business
• The importance of researching local market rates and adjusting based on your unique skills and niche
• How to diversify your income with packages, group sessions, and flexible service options
• The critical role of policies, including cancellation and no-show policies, in protecting your time and income
• Strategies for setting clear, confident communication about your fees
• The mindset shift from feeling like a "servant" to valuing your work and worth as a professional
• Tips for reviewing and adjusting your rates over time as your experience and practice grow

Resources & Links:

• Schedule a call
• Join The Business Hub- Optimizing your income by optimizing your time

Connect with Kate:
Grow With Kate Program

Subscribe & Review:
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps grow the reach of our mission to empower therapists and build sustainable practices.

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )