Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Larson.
Hi Krista, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path to where I am today really began by seeing what I didn’t want for children and families. Early in my career, I worked in practices that felt like revolving doors…back-to-back 30-minute sessions, no time to talk to parents, and very little room for relationships. Families were expected to somehow “carry over” strategies at home without ever being included in the process. It never sat right with me.
I wanted to build something different.
I envisioned a practice where parents were partners, not bystanders. Where coaching, conversation, and support were built into care – not squeezed into the last 30 seconds of a session. I truly believe involving families leads to better outcomes, less stress, and happier children.
I started with zero clients and a full tank of gas, driving from Aventura to Boca Raton and seeing children in their homes. My practice grew purely through word of mouth. Eventually I was able to rent my first brick-and-mortar space. Now, eight years later, we’re expanding again and taking over the entire office space we once rented a portion of, which feels so surreal.
Over time we developed a niche in AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). AAC includes tools like communication boards and speech-generating devices that help children communicate when speaking is difficult or not yet possible. Helping children and families discover that they can communicate has become the heart of our work.
My practice has transformed so much over the years, just as my life has. I’m currently expecting my second baby, and it’s been incredibly meaningful to build a business that grows alongside my family. I’m grateful every day that I get to do this work and support families in finding connection, confidence, and communication.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a straight or perfectly smooth road. We’ve had many struggles along the way, and while they were hard in the moment, I honestly feel they’ve been some of my biggest teachers.
When I opened my practice, I had zero formal business training. I knew how to be a speech-language pathologist; I did not know how to run a company. I was completely self-taught and had to figure things out as I went, including billing, systems, hiring, finances, marketing, all of it. There were moments of real doubt and growing pains where things felt overwhelming.
On top of that, running a practice means navigating changes in caseloads, scheduling, scholarship questions from families, and the emotional weight that naturally comes with caring deeply about the children you serve. Growth hasn’t always been linear; sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back.
But every single challenge has shaped me. They’ve made me more resilient, more organized, more compassionate, and more confident. They’ve helped me grow not just as a therapist, but as a leader and business owner. And they constantly bring me back to our mission: providing thoughtful, family-centered care and helping children communicate in ways that feel authentic to them.
We’ve been impressed with Utter Brilliance Therapy Services, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Utter Brilliance Therapy Services is a pediatric speech-language therapy practice with a strong focus on family involvement. We work with children who have a wide range of communication differences, including late talkers, autistic children, children with complex communication needs, and children who use or may benefit from communication devices.
What we’re most known for is our work with AAC. For readers who may not be familiar with the term, AAC refers to tools and strategies that support communication when speaking is difficult or not yet possible. That might look like a high-tech speech-generating device, an app on a tablet, or a simple paper communication board. AAC doesn’t “replace” speech, rather, it gives children a way to communicate now so they can be heard, participate, and connect while speech continues to develop.
What truly sets us apart is our philosophy. We don’t believe in a quick in-and-out therapy model. We place a strong emphasis on parent coaching, collaboration, and real-life carryover. Families are not just invited into the process — they are central to it. We slow down, we explain, we model, and we partner with parents because we know children make the most progress when the people who love them most feel confident and supported.
I’m incredibly proud that our brand reflects warmth and inclusivity. We celebrate different communication styles and believe every child deserves access to language and autonomy. We are focused on supporting children in communicating in ways that are authentic and functional for them.
Today, our services include individual speech and language therapy and evaluations, with specialty areas in AAC evaluations, AAC therapy, parent coaching, and collaboration with schools and other professionals.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice for therapists who are just starting out is this: you do not have to have everything figured out to begin. I had zero formal business training when I opened my practice. I learned by doing, by asking questions, by making mistakes, and by course-correcting along the way. Waiting until you feel “fully ready” often just means you’ll never start.
Surround yourself with support. Find mentors, colleagues, or communities of other private practice owners who you can learn from. You don’t have to reinvent every wheel on your own. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from conversations with other therapists who were a few steps ahead of me.
Also, let your values lead your decisions. There will always be advice about how to grow faster or scale bigger, but growth that isn’t aligned with your values won’t feel good for very long. For me, prioritizing family involvement connection-based care has guided everything from scheduling to hiring to the services we offer.
Be prepared for challenges and know they are part of the process, not a sign you’re failing. There will be months of doubt, logistics that don’t work at first, and systems you’ll rebuild more than once. Those moments shape you into a stronger clinician and business owner.
And finally, remember why you started. At the heart of private practice isn’t paperwork, metrics, or social media—it’s the children and families you serve. If you stay grounded in that, the rest can be figured out along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.utterbrilliancetherapy.com
- Instagram: @utterbrilliancefl
Image Credits
Jessica Bordner Photography
