Coral Currents Episode 5: From Burnout to Balance: The Leap to Full-Time Freedom through Private Practice

When I sat down with Kelly Makris, one of our amazing Coral Care occupational therapists, I knew we were in for an inspiring conversation. Kelly’s journey is one many providers will recognize—loving the work, loving the kids, but feeling weighed down by the setting.

Kelly started her career in Early Intervention, drawn to the magic that happens when children are in their natural environments. “You can’t replace what you see with a child in their own space when they’re comfortable and confident,” she told me. Over the years, she alternated between Early Intervention and a residential school, always chasing the setting that would let her be most effective. But meetings, supervisory duties, and endless paperwork left her feeling more like an administrator than a therapist.

A conversation with a friend sparked a turning point: “It’s not me. I’m not burnt out. It’s the setting.” Kelly decided to try Coral Care on the side, and was surprised by how energizing it felt. The combination of referral support, streamlined documentation, and control over her schedule made her realize a full-time shift could actually work.

Of course, she planned it carefully: saving PTO for a financial cushion, setting a travel radius, and building her caseload step-by-step. Within months, she was fully booked and had regained something she hadn’t felt in years: control. “I feel like I stepped off the hamster wheel,” she said.

Kelly now works Tuesday through Friday, seeing 20–25 clients and designing her week around her life and her kids’ schedules. She’s also explored new opportunities like webinars, events, and marketing projects... all ways to grow professionally and supplement her income.

The part that surprised her most? The level of support. “When I reached out after a hard session, someone called me back within five minutes,” she recalled. “That kind of connection makes all the difference.”

Her advice to other providers considering the leap: “Try a few sessions on the side and see how it feels. Don’t be scared. You might be pleasantly surprised.”

Kelly’s story is a reminder that sometimes, it’s not about loving your work more—it’s about finding the setting that lets you love it again.

🎧 Listen to Episode 5 of Coral Currents to hear Kelly’s full story and get inspired to design a work life that works for you.

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