--- title: 5 Easy Steps to Evidence-Based Practice description: To practice ethically, we combine current evidence with our professional experience and clients’ values to create the best treatment plan we can. image: https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hubfs/blog%20images%202%20(65).png --- [![SSG Group Brand](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheSteppingStonesGroup_February2021/images/SSG_logo.png?width=1640&height=421&name=SSG_logo.png "SSG Group Brand")](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Home](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Careers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/) - [Search Open Jobs](https://jobs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Quick Apply](https://steppingstones.careercenter.smartsearch.plus/registration/) - [Transforming Support](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/professional-development/) - [Travel & Transform](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/travel/) - [Refer a friend](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/referral-program/) - [Parents](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/) - [Schools](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/schools/) - [Telepractice](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/telepractice/) - [Referrers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/referrers/) - [About SSG](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/about/) - [Our Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/services/) - [Our Story](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/) - [Meet Our Team](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/#leadership_team) - [Contact](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/contact/) ![](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hubfs/blog%20images%202%20(65).png) # 5 Easy Steps to Evidence-Based Practice Tue, Aug 25, 2026 [![Share on facebook](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&media=) [![Share on email](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/5-easy-steps-to-evidence-based-practice&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) We all know that evidence-based practice (EBP) is important. To practice ethically, we combine current evidence with our professional experience and clients’ values to create the best treatment plan we can. In the past, my game plan was to do as many free CEUs as I could find. But the crazy thing is that the more time I spent “learning” this way, the less I felt like I knew. I learned some tips and tricks, but often I walked away wanting more.   When you consider our scope of practice, it can be intimidating to try to keep up on the most current clinical research. To help, here is a step-by-step process for how to make EBP a bit more manageable. Keep reading if you are ready to make the leap from frantic fact gathering to real, grown-up, research-based practice:    **Step 1:** The first thing you need to do is narrow your search. Go take a look at ASHA’s practice portal (I promise, it’s worth it!). What is one topic from that list of 50+ that sends you running for your chocolate stash? Is it fluency? AAC? Phonology?    **Step 2:** This next part may sound crazy, but it will change your practice forever. Give yourself permission to focus on that one topic for a whole year. Put the rest of the 50+ on the back burner for now. They will 100% still be there when you come back, but for now devote your energy to just one when you have time to set aside for learning.    **Step 3:** Free CEUs are a good place to start, but don’t stop there. Dust off your old textbook. Check out The Informed SLP to check out summaries of research articles on the topic. Even consider \*gasp\* paying for a high-quality course. Give yourself time to consider a variety of sources and think deeply.    **Step 4:** Notice what questions you have and then get them answered. To give you an idea of what this looks like, here is a list of questions that popped into my head when I started delving deeper into the different phonology treatments: - How many words should I be treating? - Wait, am I supposed to be treating stimulable or non-stimulable words? - Why doesn’t the protocol say anything about the client escaping my speech room and running the halls singing “Let it Gooooo,” during a superintendent walk-through? (\*true story\*).    **Step 5:** At last! Adding a fluency, AAC, or phono kid to your caseload no longer leaves you shaking in your boots. Take a moment to be proud of your newfound expertise and then head back to the list to find a new topic.    Bonus step: Give yourself some grace. No one knows it all, but everyone can know more. You got this!   *Author: Theresa Kreeger, MS, CCC-SLP* Tags: [Clinical Tips](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/clinical-tips) [Back to Blog](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com) Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The content is based on the author's personal experiences, research, and opinions. It is always recommended to consult with a qualified professional or expert before making any decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this blog. ## Related Articles ##### [Vision in Occupational Therapy](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/vision-in-occupational-therapy) My name is Normanie McKenzie Ricks and I am an Occupational Therapist that has been practicing for... [Read More](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/vision-in-occupational-therapy) ##### [How to Engage Severely Delayed Preschoolers](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/how-to-engage-severely-delayed-preschoolers) Having weathered the travails of more than one job search in my capacity as a SLPA, I can say one... [Read More](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/how-to-engage-severely-delayed-preschoolers) ##### [Improving Attention and Memory Skills](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/improving-attention-and-memory-skills) It should come as no surprise to any SLP that language skills are built upon a foundation of ... [Read More](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/improving-attention-and-memory-skills) #### For Job Seekers - [Search Jobs](https://jobs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Quick Apply](https://jobs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/jobs/search#quickapply) - [Careers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/) - [New Graduates](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/a-position-with-a-purpose/) - [Telepractice Jobs](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/telepractice/) - [Travel Opportunities](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/travel/) - [Professional Development](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/professional-development/) - [Refer a Friend](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/referral-program/) #### For Parents - [Get Started](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/#parents_map) - [ABA Parent Education](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/aba-parent-education) - [Autism Therapy Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/autism-therapy-services) - [Autism Diagnostic Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/autism-diagnostic-services) - [Center-based ABA Therapy](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/center-based-aba-therapy) - [At-home ABA Therapy](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/at-home-aba-therapy) #### For Schools - [Staffing Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/schools/#list_of_services) - [University Relations](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/university-relations/) - [Mental Health Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/schools/mental-health-services) - [Telepractice](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/telepractice/) - [Blog](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [FAQ / Resources](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/faqs/) #### For SSG Info - [About SSG](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/about/) - [Our Story](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/) - [Company News](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/company-news) - [Stepping Up For A Cause](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/giving-back/) - [Contact Us](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/contact/) - [Blog](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Health Transparency in Coverage (MRF)](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/cigna-machine-readable-files/) [Twitter](http://twitter.com/ssg_careers) [Pinterest](http://www.pinterest.com/ssg_therapy) [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/ssgcareers) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Abby Carlson", "url" : "https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/author/abby-carlson" }, "dateModified" : "2026-08-25", "datePublished" : "2026-08-25", "description" : "To practice ethically, we combine current evidence with our professional experience and clients’ values to create the best treatment plan we can.", "headline" : "5 Easy Steps to Evidence-Based Practice", "image" : [ "https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/5412364/blog%20images%202%20%2865%29.png" ], "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SSG_logo.png" }, "name" : "The Stepping Stones Group" } } ```