We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krystin Rizzo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Krystin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

My first job in the field was as an intensive in home counselor. This job was as intense as the name implied and served high needs (and typically low income) families. To be frank, I was fresh out of grad school and desperately accepted the first offer that gave me a reasonable chance of paying my bills (hello student loans!). I had ‘on the job training,’ which really means I was thrown into the deep end of the pool without a float! It most definitely felt like that. Luckily, I had some colleagues give me some helpful pointers and I picked things up quickly. I don’t miss that job or that particular hustle (if you know, you know), but I am eternally grateful for the experience it gave me in learning community resources and meeting people where they are. PS-always ask if you should take off your shoes when you enter someone’s home!

Krystin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have a background in victim advocacy for sexual assault and domestic violence, community-based work, military facilities, clinical supervision, and crisis intervention. I started a solo private practice in 2021 and scaled it to a group practice in 2022. Our practice, Mermaid Counseling (named after the Mermaid City-Norfolk, Virginia!) provides in person and virtual therapy to clients located in Virginia. We specialize in trauma, EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, maternal mental health, couples, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. I’m most proud of the incredible team we have. Everyone has their own niche and brings infinite value to our team. We pride ourselves on meeting clients where they are and strive to make therapy accessible for all.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Well, my husband and I have had a heck of a couple years! We have mourned the death of four of our four legged friends (two dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon), cared for my husband’s two toddler cousins for 13 months, and have faced other personal struggles. To make matter more complicated, I signed a lease at a new building (very shortly after hiring several therapists) that needed lots of cleaning and repairs when I found out I was pregnant with our son in 2023. We really learned to appreciate that we have such a strong support network! Things have settled down a bit this year, and I’m always amazed when I look back at the whirldwind those years were.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Orange Theory Fitness has changed my life. My coaches encourage me and push me to be better than I was yesterday. It has made me so mentally tough! When I have difficult days, I can hear some of my coaches in my head saying things like “You didn’t come this far to come this far” or “You can do hard things.” Plus, exercising consistently encourages me to focus on me and my well being so I can be the best version of myself!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mermaidcounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermaidcounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567543132233