Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Denielle Rigoglioso. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Denielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in the therapy and private practice space is the shift away from traditional, overworked models of care toward more sustainable, profitable, and client-focused practices. Therapists are finally realizing that burnout isn’t a badge of honor, and they’re starting to question the old narrative that working long hours for minimal pay is just “part of the job.”

I saw this firsthand when I started coaching therapists, and one of my coaching members who was on the verge of leaving the field entirely. She spent years working in community mental health, taking on overwhelming caseloads, constantly having to work more to make ends meet, and felt feeling trapped in this cycle. Many therapists don’t even realize what they are capable of doing in their own! They don’t tech you how to build a private practice in school and there are so many “traps” if you will that keep therapists in this cycle. I remember she told me, “I love the work, but I feel like I have nothing left to give.”

That’s when she started exploring private practice and invested in coaching, embracing her worth, and shifting the narrative. Instead of following the traditional model of seeing 30+ clients a week and barely making ends meet, she structured her practice using my 9-Thrive method and strategy working a three-day work week, set fees that met her needs, and focused on serving a her niche. Within months, not only was she earning 2-3x more, but she cute her working hours in half and she finally had energy outside of work to care for herself, travel, spend time with family, true freedom!

The biggest opportunity in this trend is that therapists are realizing they don’t have to choose between financial success and ethical care. In fact, when they set up a business that actually supports them, they show up as better clinicians for their clients. I have witnessed that even for myself in my own practice!

It’s not cake walk by any means, there are still challenges. Many therapists struggle with guilt around charging their worth, fear of leaving behind traditional structures, scarcity mindset, imposter syndrome and uncertainty around business strategies. That’s why I created the 9-Thrive Private Practice Method—to give therapists the tools and confidence to build a practice that works for them, not against them.

So, my take? This shift is long overdue, and I’m here for it. The more therapists embrace sustainable private practice models, the more we change the entire industry for the better.

Denielle, 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’m Denielle, a therapist, private practice mentor, and the founder of 9-Thrive Private Practice Academy. My journey into this field started like so many others—I was passionate about helping people heal, but I quickly realized that traditional mental health systems weren’t set up for therapists to thrive. After spending years in community mental health, and building two large practices for a local agency, I was feeling overworked, underpaid and burnt to a crisp, I decided to take a leap and build my own private practice. That decision changed everything.

Now, I not only run a successful practice, but I also help other therapists break free from burnout and build sustainable, profitable practices that align with their values. I specialize in helping therapists transition into private practice without the overwhelm, confusion, or financial risk that often holds them back.

One of the things that makes my approach unique is that I’ve been exactly where my clients are. I didn’t start with a business degree or a fancy strategy—I built my practice step by step while juggling life and learning the hard way. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to do next, and stuck in systems that weren’t designed for therapists to thrive. That’s why I take everything I’ve learned and break it down into clear, actionable steps that therapists can implement immediately. No fluff, no unnecessary busy work—just real, practical guidance that actually moves the needle.

I also challenge the traditional mindset that therapists should just accept burnout as the norm. That outdated narrative needs to go. Therapists deserve to thrive, not just survive. The work we do is life-changing, and we should be able to build businesses that reflect that value. It’s not selfish to want financial stability, flexibility, and a practice that supports you just as much as it supports your clients. In fact, when we take care of ourselves, we show up as better clinicians.

What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has—with my therapy clients and the therapists I coach. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing a client go from feeling a lack of self worth and value to reclaiming their confidence and self compassion, and watching therapists go from overworked and underpaid to thriving in their own private practices! That never gets old. It’s proof that change is possible when you have the right tools and support.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that you don’t have to stay stuck in systems that drain you. Whether you’re a therapy client looking for healing or a therapist ready to build something better, there is another way. Success in private practice isn’t about luck or being “special”—it’s about having the right roadmap, and that’s exactly what I provide. And healing? That doesn’t have to be overwhelming, either. With the right approach, both therapy and business growth can be empowering, transformative, and even enjoyable.

So whether you’re here to start your healing journey or to finally build the private practice you’ve been dreaming about, I’m here to help you thrive. 🚀

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

There was a moment in my career that changed everything for me. I had been working as a licensed regional director in community mental health, running one of the largest agencies in my state, and I was giving it everything I had. I actually built the practice from the ground up and a second facility in my region as well. I was managing 150 staff, handling crisis after crisis, dealing with endless paperwork, and constantly putting out fires. I was the person everyone relied on—clients, clinicians, supervisors—but somewhere along the way, I stopped checking in with myself. I ignored the exhaustion, the stress headaches, the constant pressure to push through, because that’s just what therapists and good leaders do, right?

Then one day, I literally lost a tooth. Not from an accident. Not from poor dental care. From stress. I had been clenching my jaw so hard, pushing myself so far past my limits, that my body finally gave me a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore. It was like my body was screaming at me to stop, but for so long, I had ignored every red flag. I was literally falling apart.

That was the moment I realized something had to change. I had spent years pouring into everyone else, prioritizing the needs of my clients, my team, and my agency over my own well-being. But at what cost? Burnout wasn’t just affecting me—it was making me less effective as a leader and as a therapist. I knew that if I wanted to continue helping others, I had to start helping myself first.

So, I made the terrifying decision to walk away. I left the security of my leadership role, the predictable paycheck, and the familiar (but draining) systems I had built my career in. Instead, I decided to build something for me. I created a private practice where I could show up as the best version of myself—not an overworked, exhausted, shell of a therapist, but someone who was truly present and fulfilled. And not only did my practice thrive, but I thrived.

Now, I help other therapists do the same. I teach them that success in private practice doesn’t have to come at the cost of their health or happiness. I challenge the belief that burnout is just part of the job. And I show them how to build a practice that actually supports them, so they never have to experience what I did.

Leaving community mental health wasn’t easy, but it was the best decision I ever made. Because the truth is, we can’t pour from an empty cup. And when we finally start taking care of ourselves, that’s when we’re able to do our best work—for our clients, for our businesses, and for us.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that putting myself first wasn’t selfish—it was necessary.

For years, I bought into the idea that being a “good” therapist meant always showing up, no matter how exhausted I was. That it was my responsibility to put my clients, my team, and my work ahead of my own needs. It was the classic martyr mindset—the belief that therapists should struggle, that burnout was just part of the job, and that financial success or work-life balance was somehow at odds with being a clinician.

The backstory? I was a licensed regional director in a community mental health practice that i built from the ground up for the agency, working ridiculous hours, juggling responsibilities, and constantly putting out fires. I was the person everyone came to with their problems—clients, clinicians, admin staff. I told myself I could handle it, that I should handle it. But my body was telling me a different story. I was exhausted. I was neglecting my own life, my health, and my well-being. And then came the moment that forced me to wake up—I literally lost a tooth from stress.

That was my breaking point. I had been so busy showing up for everyone else that I had completely abandoned myself. And the hardest part? I realized that no one was going to save me. No one was going to step in and say, “Hey, you’re doing too much, take a break.” I had to choose to break free from the cycle.

So, I left. I walked away from the structure that had drained me for so long, even though it was terrifying. And I built something better—a private practice that worked for me instead of against me. A business that let me serve my clients without sacrificing my own well-being.

That’s when I truly unlearned the toxic belief that self-sacrifice equals success. I realized that when I take care of myself, I show up better for my clients. When I set boundaries, I model healthy behavior. When I run my business in a way that supports me, I actually have the energy to do the work I love.

Now, I help other therapists unlearn this same lesson. I show them that they don’t have to burn out to be effective. That they can build a thriving practice without running themselves into the ground. And that putting themselves first isn’t just okay—it’s the foundation of sustainable success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://saltwatercoachingandconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltwatercoachingconsulting?igsh=MTU0bHcza2twd3Y4OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapyceo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniellerigogliosolpc?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyceo