We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Dalesa Rueda recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Dalesa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve ever given a client was this: “The real glow-up isn’t becoming someone else – it’s finally becoming fully, unapologetically you.”
I was working with a woman who had spent most of her life shape-shifting to meet everyone else’s expectations – her parents, partners, even her career. She looked successful on paper, but felt like a stranger in her own life, and didn’t like who looked back at her from the mirror. During our sessions, it became clear that her anxiety and people-pleasing weren’t the root issue – they were symptoms of something deeper: the belief that who she truly was, as-is, wasn’t enough.
So we worked on rewriting that internal narrative. Week by week, we peeled back the layers – childhood messages, toxic relationships, perfectionism. I reminded her often that authenticity isn’t a weakness; it’s a magnet. When she started showing up in her truth – setting boundaries, saying “no” without guilt, dressing for herself, speaking up even when her voice shook – everything began to shift. Her friendships became more reciprocal. Her dating life changed dramatically because she no longer settled for crumbs. She even left a job that drained her and launched a business that aligned with her purpose.
The best part? She told me one day, “I used to think loving myself was this fluffy, abstract thing. Now I get it – it’s a lifestyle. It’s the foundation for everything.”
That’s the magic of therapy. We don’t just treat symptoms – we guide people back home to themselves. And when someone learns to love who they are authentically, it transforms their entire life.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi, I’m Dr. Dalesa – licensed marriage and family therapist, CEO & founder of Inspired & Free, and a woman who deeply believes that healing is both an art and a birthright.
I’ve been in the mental health field for over 20 years, and my journey into therapy wasn’t just a career choice – it was a calling. Like many of my clients, I’ve had to navigate trauma, identity shifts, and the pressure to be everything to everyone. I became a therapist because I know what it’s like to need someone to listen without judgment, help unpack the weight of generational wounds, and say, “You’re not broken – you’re human and your wounds can heal.” That mission still drives my work today.
I founded Inspired & Free to create a virtual therapy space that centers love, inspiration, freedom, and empowerment – especially for people of color who are often overlooked or misunderstood in traditional therapy spaces. We serve clients in over 10 states with a team of 20+ diverse, passionate therapists. We offer individual therapy, couples therapy, groups, wellness workshops, and retreats. Soon, we’re launching an app to expand healing access even further.
Our specialties range from anxiety, trauma, and self-worth to relationship dynamics, communication issues, and identity exploration. But what truly sets us apart is our culturally-responsive, down-to-earth approach. Therapy with us isn’t stiff or clinical – it’s real talk with tools, warmth, and sometimes humor. My team and I use narrative work, storytelling, and metaphors to help people reconnect with themselves and write a new chapter – on their own terms.
What I’m most proud of is the impact we’re having. Whether it’s a couple who’s rediscovering how to love each other with grace, or a woman finally choosing herself after years of self-abandonment – those are the wins I live for.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about Inspired & Free, it’s this: You don’t have to wait until everything falls apart to begin your healing. You’re allowed to grow, evolve, and be supported right now. And you don’t have to do it alone.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Honestly? Prioritizing the people over the pitch.
As a therapist and business owner, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been making sure every potential client feels seen, heard, and valued from the very first touchpoint – whether that’s a DM, an email, a consultation, or a social media post.
Before I even talk about services, I focus on building trust. That means making our content relatable and human, being responsive and warm in communication, and removing as many barriers to care as possible – whether it’s offering sliding scale options, free consults, or just creating a safe vibe for people to muster up the courage to reach out and say, “I think I need help.”
People don’t want to be sold to – they want to feel safe. They want to feel like they’re not just a number. So even as we’ve scaled Inspired & Free across multiple states, I’ve made it a priority to maintain that personal connection. I train my team to lead with empathy, not ego. We check in. We follow up. We tailor services to fit real lives.
And that energy? It spreads. Clients refer their friends and family. They repost our content. They become part of our community – not just consumers.
In short: The best growth strategy I’ve found is to prioritize the person before the profit. When you do that, people don’t just find you – they stay with you.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
The best advice I can give is this: Lead like you’re building a community, not just a company.
At Inspired & Free, we’ve grown a diverse, multi-state team of therapists – and what keeps morale high isn’t just policies or perks, it’s culture. I intentionally built a space where therapists, especially those of color, can show up as their full selves without code-switching or shrinking. That means honoring their humanity and holding them accountable to shared values.
It starts with listening. I check in regularly – not just about productivity, but about how they’re really doing. I ask for feedback. I celebrate birthdays and wins. I send care packages. I show up on Zoom with no agenda sometimes, just to laugh and connect. That may sound small, but it matters. When people feel seen, they show up stronger – for themselves, their clients, and the company.
We also make time to connect beyond the business. Our team meetings aren’t just about schedules and admin – we intentionally carve out space to reflect, share, and support one another. We even go on company retreats to rest, recharge, and deepen the relationships that make our work so meaningful. Those moments of connection remind us that we’re not just coworkers – we’re part of a mission-driven community.
But community doesn’t mean chaos. I also believe in structure, clear expectations, and transparency. High morale thrives when people know where the business is going, how they fit into the vision, and what success looks like. I share our goals, our numbers, and how their work contributes to the bigger mission. That sense of ownership fuels pride and purpose.
Ultimately, my advice is this: Don’t just manage a team – nurture it. Create a space where people feel like they belong and like they’re growing. When your people feel empowered and cared for, the business benefits too. Morale isn’t a vibe – it’s a strategy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inspiredandfree.com
- Instagram: @inspiredandfreelife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredandfreelife
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspired-and-free
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Inspiredandfreelife
- Other: TikTok: @inspiredandfreelife
