Taking what seems like a big career risk can be intimidating, but it can also pay off in huge ways. Kelly Makris, an occupational therapist at Coral Care, walks us through her risk: leaving her full-time job to take on her own caseload at Coral Care. Join us to discover how Kelly’s switch paid off big time, both for her salary and her happiness.
Who is Kelly Makris?
Kelly Makris is one of our champion providers at Coral Care. As a pediatric occupational therapist with 23 years of experience, Kelly has made an exceptional impact on many families Coral Care serves. Before Kelly was an occupational therapist at Coral Care, she spent many years working in early intervention and residential schools, where she found herself overwhelmed by paperwork, limited control, and mounting work-related stress.
At Coral Care, Kelly was able to grow her caseload to 16 clients in 6 months. Kelly can drop off her own kids at school every morning, see clients throughout the day, all in time to pick her kids up from school. Keep reading to learn how Kelly went from surviving to thriving; and how you can too!
Experiencing healthcare burnout
Before we can dive into Kelly’s success at Coral Care, we first have to understand what kept her in a state of surviving for so long. Back in 2023 Kelly Makris had reached a breaking point in her professional life. After 20+ years of working in early intervention and residential schools, she found herself overwhelmed by paperwork, limited control over her caseload, and mounting work-related stress. Like many healthcare professionals, she felt trapped in a system that seemed to prioritize administrative tasks over patient care.
Everything changed when Kelly discovered Coral Care. What began as a part-time side opportunity quickly became a life-changing career path that restored her passion for pediatric occupational therapy and transformed her work-life balance.
Initially cautious, Kelly started with Coral Care while maintaining her full-time job. She was immediately struck by the agency's unique approach. Unlike her previous experiences, Coral Care offered something revolutionary: complete control over her professional life. She could choose her clients, define her territory, and have a say in her scheduling—a level of autonomy she had never experienced before.
"I knew it was a risk," Kelly reflects, "but I felt like this was the opportunity I'd been waiting for."
After just seven months of part-time work, she made the bold decision to leave her traditional job and commit to Coral Care full-time.
The path to thriving
The most significant transformation wasn't just professional—it was personal. Kelly could now drop off and pick up her children from school, work from her deck on summer days, and cluster client visits efficiently. The administrative burdens that once consumed her time were now handled by Coral Care's supportive team, allowing her to focus entirely on what she loves most: helping children.
The impact on Kelly's health was immediate and profound. The stress-related health issues that had plagued her began to disappear. She went from merely surviving to truly thriving, regaining not just her professional enthusiasm but her overall well-being.
Now with around 15 clients, Kelly has become an advocate for Coral Care. Her message is clear: "Coral Care is taking care of me so I can make a difference." For Kelly Makris, this isn't just a job—it's a calling rediscovered, a professional journey reimagined, and a life transformed.
In-home therapy benefits
In addition to benefits discussed above, Kelly has also found a deep love for the transition to in-home therapy. "Nothing replaces being in a child's natural environment," Kelly emphasizes. By working directly in families' homes, she can observe family dynamics, utilize existing household items for therapy, and develop strategies that parents can continue implementing throughout the week.
Moreover, in-home occupational therapy for children offers personalized, convenient, and comfortable support tailored to a child's unique needs and home environment. By working in a familiar setting, children can feel more at ease, which fosters engagement and progress. Finally, therapists can collaborate with caregivers in real time, equipping them with strategies and tools to reinforce progress outside of therapy sessions.
Your chance to make an impact too
If you find yourself either relating to or inspired by Kelly’s story - we have great news: you can join Coral Care too! Whether you're seeking a side hustle or ready to build a full-time private practice, Coral Care is here to support you every step of the way.
We’ve built a business-in-a-box for therapists like you, designed by clinicians who have been through the struggle of marketing, managing admin, and dealing with the complexities of insurance.
To get started, you just fill out this application, if you are a good fit for Coral Care we will reach out to you! Next, you begin some onboarding paperwork and courses - but don’t worry - we'll handle all the paperwork to get you credentialed with insurances. Finally, you get started and grow your case load to whatever your schedule desires. You set your hours and travel distance, and we match you with local families, helping you build your caseload in as little as four months.
Conclusion
Kelly Makris’ journey with Coral Care demonstrates the power of taking a risk to prioritize personal well-being, professional satisfaction, and family life. By transitioning from a traditional, stress-filled role to in-home occupational therapy with Coral Care, Kelly found the autonomy, flexibility, and support needed to thrive both professionally and personally. Her story is a testament to how creating boundaries, focusing on passion, and embracing new opportunities can lead to transformative change. If you’re inspired by Kelly’s path, Coral Care offers the opportunity to redefine your own career journey — providing the tools, guidance, and flexibility to help you make a meaningful impact while achieving work-life balance.
