Join ISTI as a Speech and Language Therapist

What ISTI Membership Includes:

Going independent as a Speech & Language Therapist is a big step and it can feel daunting. For many of us, we felt comfortable with the clinical work but the business aspect was new and challenging. ISTI exists to make that journey a little less lonely, and a lot more supported. We answer the most frequently asked questions about starting out in private practice on our FAQ page. Visit here: isti.ie/frequently-asked-questions-about-private-slt

Be Found by the Right Clients

Your membership includes a listing in the ISTI member directory, where clients across Ireland search for private Speech & Language Therapists. We updated the website function so that clients can filter by location and clinical area using both an interactive map and profile listings. The clients who find you are already looking for someone with your specific expertise.

If you offer online sessions, you’ll also have a separate listing in our online therapy directory, so geography doesn’t limit your caseload.

A Supportive Network

One of the things many of us miss most when we become independent therapists is the team around us. ISTI’s members-only WhatsApp community gives you that network back.

The members-only WhatsApp community is a genuinely warm and active space. It’s not a noticeboard and there is no judgement – it’s a small, friendly community of independent SLTs across Ireland who share their knowledge, ask questions, and generally support each other with both the clinical and business aspects of independent practice.

The members-only WhatsApp community has 11 subgroups covering various clinical specialisms and business related topics to help you with the realities of running a private practice. You can choose which subgroups to join.

We also meet regularly online. Member meetups alternate between evenings and lunch time sessions so that you can join at a convenient time. The meetups are informal – we usually have a chat and there is an open forum to bring any questions, worries, or topics to talk about.

Keep Developing as a Clinician

Staying on top of CPD is as important as ever as an independent clinician. You need to fund courses yourself and often lose income as you’re not able to see clients during CPD sessions. ISTI members get access to subsidised CPD to help make that easier. Recent topics include Using AI, Neuroaffirmative Report Writing, Business & Book-Keeping, and GDPR.

Beyond formal training, the community itself is one of the most valuable sources of learning. The kind of peer knowledge sharing that happens naturally in a team doesn’t have to stop just because you work for yourself.

Support for the Business and Practical Aspects

Nobody trains as an SLT to become a small business owner but that’s part of the reality of private practice. Through peer meetups and community discussions, members support each other on the practical aspect: fees, referrals, waiting lists, practice management systems, admin, boundaries, and everything else that comes with working independently.

Insurance options for ISTI members:

It is essential to have adequate insurance and this must be arranged independently. It is advised you have Professional Indemnity and Public Liability cover, and contents cover for your materials if needed. Fitness to Practice cover is currently only available with Arachas. See the FAQs page for more details.   

Revenue and Tax:

If you are self-employed, you can register as a sole trader with Revenue. We arranged a presentation on the basics of book-keeping and Revenue. ISTI members can request a copy of the slides. Most members hire an accountant to do their annual tax return for them. Some members use an assistance service such as FastTax.ie which provides a discount to ISTI members.

You do not need to register a business name with CRO but if you wish to have a business name that is different to your own name, then you do need to register it with CRO. It’s not essential and can always be done at a later time if you want to change from trading in your own name to a business name. The priority is registering as self-employed. https://www.revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/registering-for-tax/how-to-register-for-tax-as-a-sole-trader.aspx

Membership Fees & Eligibility

ISTI membership runs for 12 months from the date of your payment, so you can join ISTI at any time throughout the year and avail of 12 months membership. Annual membership dues are €100.

ISTI membership requires CORU registration and a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience working as a qualified Speech & Language Therapist.

Apply to Join ISTI

Do you have a question about private practice or joining ISTI? First check out the FAQs page but if your query is not answered, you can get in touch with us by email [email protected]. 

As ISTI is run by a volunteer committee with limited admin support hours, we appreciate your patience as you wait for us to reply to you.

If you would like to become a member of ISTI, please complete the application form below. By completing this form you make the following declaration and confirm that you satisfy all membership criteria therein.

All applications are manually processed to verify your details so please allow up to a week for your registration to be approved. Once approved, your profile will become visible in the search directory.
Should you have any questions you can contact us by email [email protected].

Important Notice!

Please note that ISTI membership requires CORU registration and a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience working as a qualified SLT.
Membership applications that fail to meet the necessary criteria will be declined.

I confirm that the following declaration is accurate and I satisfy the criteria for membership

  • I have not been and am not now subject to any form of criminal or disciplinary proceedings, either inside or outside of this jurisdiction.
  • I further declare that I have full legal authority to work in this jurisdiction including all appropriate visas and permissions to work in private practice.
  • I am fully qualified to practice speech and language therapy in Ireland and have a current CORU registration.
  • I comply with all of Revenue’s requirements for independent contractors or companies.
  • I hold, or plan to hold, all required professional and public liability insurance necessary for private practice.
  • I hold more than the minimum of two years post-graduate experience working as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist.
  • I acknowledge and indemnify in full the ‘ISTI’ for any breach of this declaration, whether the breach is deliberate, accidental or inadvertent on my part.