EP 69 | IEEs as a Bridge— Audio from the SELPA ADR Conference 2026

EP 69 | IEEs as a Bridge— Audio from the SELPA ADR Conference 2026

IEEs are uncomfortable for everyone — parents, educators, and the evaluators themselves. But what if they didn’t have to be adversarial? In this episode, licensed educational psychologist Jana Parker shares a presentation she gave at the SELPA ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) 2026 conference, drawing on 12 years as a school psychologist and her experience running a private practice in the Bay Area. With IEE requests rising at an exponential rate — and California accounting for a striking share of national special education mediation filings — Jana makes the case that independent educational evaluations work best when they function as a bridge, not a weapon. Whether you’re a school psychologist, LEP, administrator, advocate, attorney, or a parent navigating the IEP or IEE process for the first time, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective from someone who has sat on multiple sides of the table. Jana’s goal isn’t to work against districts or families — it’s to help everyone involved use evaluation data the way it was always meant to be used: to actually understand kids. Presentation slides here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wdwyt8ek35pbrk1o9g2xu/IEEs_as_a_Bridge_V4.pdf?rlkey=hxlgkyw91mmesr9iizjbbuh48&st=7kijorq8&dl=0 [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wdwyt8ek35pbrk1o9g2xu/IEEs_as_a_Bridge_V4.pdf?rlkey=hxlgkyw91mmesr9iizjbbuh48&st=7kijorq8&dl=0]

Ep 68 | Entering 2026!

In this solo episode, Jana returns to the Empower LEP Podcast after an unplanned hiatus to reflect on a full year of growth, recalibration, and hard-earned clarity. As 2025 comes to a close, she takes listeners behind the scenes of what it really looked like to lead a growing group practice while intentionally stepping back from other projects, including the podcast itself. Jana shares an honest overview of what changed in 2025, from staffing growth and retention, opening a second office location, and shifting into a more business-development–focused role, to offering a 401k for employees, strengthening profit margins, and making values-based decisions about where her time and energy truly belong. She talks candidly about the tradeoffs of group practice ownership, the responsibility of supporting employees through real life events, and why simplifying in 2025 made room for deeper focus in 2026. This episode also revisits the evolution of Empower LEP, including the decision to separate it legally from Mind by Design, the move away from group programs, and a renewed commitment to one-on-one mentorship. Jana reflects on what has been most meaningful in her work with other LEPs, why mentorship continues to be the heart of Empower LEP, and what listeners can expect moving forward, including the possibility of shorter, more focused solo business episodes in the year ahead. Whether you are in schools, in solo private practice, or growing a group practice of your own, this episode offers a realistic, thoughtful look at sustainability, leadership, and building something that actually supports the people inside it. As always, Jana invites listeners to reach out with feedback, ideas, or mentorship needs and thanks the Empower LEP community for being part of the journey into 2026.

Ep 67 | Redefining Success: Miriam Burlakovsky's Journey to a Dream Practice

In this powerful episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, I sit down with Miriam Burlakovsky — a newly minted private practice owner who is absolutely crushing it in her first few months of entrepreneurship. After realizing her district role, particularly the professional development work, was draining her energy and passion, Miriam made a bold decision to pivot. In just 48 hours following a transformative moment, she launched SLO Psych Services, where she now offers high-quality assessments for ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. But Miriam didn’t stop there. She also started a nonprofit called Awesome Educators, dedicated to preventing teacher burnout, and she hosts a podcast that explores the intersection of mindfulness and mental health. On top of it all, she’s currently teaching research methods at Cal Poly — truly embracing the many ways professionals can make an impact beyond traditional school settings. This episode is full of insight and inspiration. Miriam shares how tuning into both your mind and body can signal when it’s time for change, the value of networking when building something new, and how we can support educators in more meaningful and sustainable ways. 🎧 A must-listen if you’re: * Considering stepping away from your district role * Thinking about starting your own private practice * Passionate about educator well-being * Looking for a boost of inspiration from a fellow LEP making bold moves During this episode, Miriam mentioned working with both Scott Robson and Client Obsession. You can connect with them here: • Scott Robson Coaching: https://scottrobson.net/ • Client Obsession Marketing Agency: https://clientobsession.com/ Don’t miss this incredible conversation about courage, clarity, and creating something that truly aligns with your values. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you love it!  Connect with Empower LEP: Website: https://www.empowerlep.com/ [https://www.empowerlep.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/ [https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep]

Ep 66 | Building a Career in Assessment with Dr. Rebecca Murray Metzger

In this episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, I sit down with my colleague and friend, Dr. Rebecca Murray Metzger, to explore the world of psychological assessment and building a group practice. If you're a school psychologist or LEP considering a move into private practice, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Listen in to hear all about: * The path from school psychology to private practice * Challenges and wins of launching a group practice * Mentorship and supporting early-career clinicians * The unique value LEPs bring to assessment work Rebecca shares her journey from therapy-focused training to becoming an assessment specialist and group practice owner. We dive into the realities of leadership, the need for ongoing learning, and what it really takes to grow a team. As someone who’s made a similar shift, I found our conversation honest, relatable, and full of practical takeaways—especially around burnout, flexibility, and community. Tune in for a grounded, insightful conversation—and walk away with strategies you can actually use. Connect with Empower LEP: Website: https://www.empowerlep.com/ [https://www.empowerlep.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/ [https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep]  Connect with Rebecca: Website: https://sfmindmatters.com/ [https://sfmindmatters.com/]

Ep 65 | Building with Integrity in Psychology and Tech with Dr. Jeremy Sharp

In This Episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jeremy Sharp — psychologist, host of The Testing Psychologist Podcast, and founder of Reverb AI — for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, redefining success in private practice, and the cutting-edge role of AI in psychological assessment. If you’re a psychologist with multiple passions or an interest in expanding your impact beyond the therapy room, this episode is for you. Dr. Sharp shares how he’s turned his clinical background into multiple successful ventures — without sacrificing his values or family life. You’ll gain practical insights into how group practices can be scaled thoughtfully — and why sometimes, scaling back is the smartest move. Plus, Jeremy gives us a sneak peek at how AI is revolutionizing report writing, making it faster and more efficient than ever. Jeremy takes us through his evolution from a solo private practitioner to managing a thriving group practice with over 40 employees. He opens up about the pivotal moment when he chose to shift his focus entirely to psychological assessment, creating more alignment with his strengths and professional goals. We also go behind the scenes of Reverb AI, a groundbreaking software designed to reduce report writing time by 70–80%. It’s a game-changer for busy clinicians — and its origin story might surprise you. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Sharp shares personal, vulnerable reflections on navigating career transitions. From starting out in counseling to narrowing his focus to assessment, his journey is filled with intentional choices and honest self-reflection. He also talks candidly about building — and then simplifying — a large practice, while keeping family life front and center. One of his most powerful takeaways? He builds his schedule by putting personal time in first and fitting work around it — not the other way around. Don’t miss Jeremy’s story of how he unexpectedly found his way into podcasting and consulting — both of which started as side projects and turned into impactful platforms. He also shares the humble beginnings of Reverb AI, which started right in his living room. Whether you're a psychologist curious about entrepreneurship or someone looking for new ways to expand your professional identity, Jeremy offers practical, inspiring advice you can apply right away. 🎧 Listen to Episode 64 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to subscribe, and rate! Connect with Empower LEP: * Website: https://www.empowerlep.com/ [https://www.empowerlep.com/]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/ [https://www.instagram.com/empowerlep/]  * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerlep]  🔗 Connect with Dr. Jeremy Sharp * Website: The Testing Psychologist [https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com] * Facebook Group: Testing Psychologist Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/testingpsychologist] * Email: jeremy@thetestingpsychologist.com