About

Meet Our CEO & Founder

Sometimes life comes at us fast and in the most unexpected ways. Dr. Dalesa, a marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience, never imagined starting a private practice. As a supervisor, graduate school professor, and administrator in various roles for different agencies, Dr. Dalesa’s passion was helping therapists become the best clinicians they could be. She firmly believed that empowering therapists to excel allowed her to touch many more lives indirectly.

When the pandemic hit—and following a cross-country move that didn’t unfold as planned—Dr. Dalesa found her vision evolving. The world faced unprecedented challenges, and the need for quality mental health care grew. At the same time, therapists grappled with burnout from working with clients who weren’t an ideal fit for their expertise. Recognizing this, Dr. Dalesa embarked on a mission to build something extraordinary: a 100% virtual practice without months-long waiting lists, where therapists and clients could connect meaningfully. Her goal was to ensure that clients achieved the healing they sought while therapists thrived by seeing the tangible impact of their work.

Four years later, Inspired & Free has grown into a remarkable team of 18 clinicians, serving 10 states with plans to expand further. What began as Dr. Dalesa’s solo practice has flourished into a dynamic community dedicated to creating lasting change. Inspired & Free continues to embody Dr. Dalesa’s vision—helping clients and therapists find their perfect matches while fostering connections that lead to meaningful growth and healing.