Small Wins Matter in Therapy

October 24, 2025•2 min read

Small Wins Matter in Therapy

When most people think about therapy progress, they picture big breakthroughs—a child suddenly speaking in full sentences or an adult instantly regaining clear speech. The reality is much quieter, and much more powerful: therapy is built on small wins.

What Counts as a “Small Win”?

A child pronouncing a sound they’ve been struggling with.
An adult safely swallowing a sip of water after weeks of practice.
A teenager recovering from injury is standing confidently during balance training.

These moments might seem minor from the outside, but to families and clients, they are monumental.

Why Small Wins Are So Important

Therapy is a process. Waiting for the “big moment” can feel discouraging, but celebrating small wins shows progress is happening. Each step builds momentum, confidence, and motivation to keep going.

For children, that might mean feeling excited to try again. For adults, it means hope that recovery is possible. For parents, it reassures them that their child is on the right track.

The Science Behind It

Our brains thrive on positive reinforcement. When a small success is recognized, it strengthens the pathways that make bigger progress possible. Over time, those little victories snowball into major achievements.

How We Celebrate at SDC Therapy

We encourage families to celebrate every step—no matter how small. Whether it’s clapping after a sound, sharing progress at home, or documenting milestones in a notebook, recognizing growth keeps everyone motivated.

Real-Life Example

One of our young clients struggled to say the “r” sound. For weeks, progress felt slow. Then, one day, he said it clearly—just once. That moment brought smiles and encouragement, and within months, “r” became a regular part of his speech. Without celebrating that first win, it would have been easy to overlook how far he was coming.

The Takeaway

Therapy is not about perfection. It’s about progress, one small step at a time. Those steps build the foundation for independence, confidence, and long-term growth.

👉 Ready to take the first step? [Schedule a session with us today].

💬 Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re exploring services for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to support your growth, confidence, and communication journey.

📞 Contact us here: https://www.sdctherapyinc.com/contact
🌐 Learn more or book a consultation: sdctherapyinc.com

It’s not just therapy—it’s your transformation.

Sheridan Cotrell

I (Sheridan) used to be that visionary business owner with all the balls in the air. I had my master's degree in speech therapy and created a six-figure consulting business in that field. But I didn’t stop there. I created another six-figure business as a health coach, and then one as a business coach for good measure. But the whole time I was trading time for money. I worked a zillion hours a week. Don’t believe me? I have five kids, and in addition to the work stuff, I was an available and committed mother to my children – doing the laundry, ferrying them to activities, and on and on... By outward measures, I looked successful, but on the inside, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I had hit a ceiling in my income and every incremental increase required more from me. I was in constant striving mode, trying to push myself to constantly do more. Until it all fell apart (even typing that makes me quake remembering). I had a major health crisis that caused me to pull the plug on 95% of my business. Almost everything came to a full stop. Which was the best gift I ever received. You see, working hard and learning more skills is not enough. Heart, vision and best intentions are not enough. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I didn’t know what I was doing even though it looked like I did.

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