Meet Denise Quiroz | Marriage and Family Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Quiroz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business was because I was working for an agency that I was not able to perform actual therapy with my clients. My caseload was so unrealistic the number of client’s that I needed to see weekly. I felt as thought I was doing a disservice to my client’s because I wasn’t able to provide them with the therapy they deserved and needed to make a difference. I truly enjoy therapy and wanted to have more control over my client’s, the type of treatment they were getting and the hours and flexibility that I could work. I was just fresh out of a divorce and I needed more fliexiblilty to be able to pick up and drop off my kids from school and their extracurricular. At that time, my job was not allowing me to do so. At the time, being a single mom also motivated me to really pursue my dream of opening my own private practice for mental health.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is a mental health private practice and we provide mental health therapy to individuals (children, teens, adults and elderly), families, couples and groups. My business sets me apart because not too many people are brave enough to pursue a business in mental health, given the stigma around mental health. Another aspect that sets my business apart is that my primary population that I serve is a lower socioeconomic population and I KNOW I am really making a difference in my small community. I am most proud of the success I have accomplished because I am a very successful minority in such who, literally, started from the bottom. I have a couple of really close friends who have, and still do, help and guide me in my business venture, but ultimately I have navigated so many trials and tribulations on my own to get where I am today. I am most excited for continuing to grow and continuing to make impacts on the community. Another big part of my job is mentoring therapist that are working towards being licensed and that place such a big part of my success and what I enjoy the most. Being part of their story is also something that sets me apart and something that I get very excited about. Starting this business wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t;t difficult. I Feel like the hardest part was taking the leap and now the hardest part is knowing the ins and outs of being a business owner. I have learned a couple lessons along the way one of the main ones is, GO FOR IT AND TAKE THE RISK! It will end up working out. There will be trials and tribulations, but GO FOR IT. I started my practice during covid and was also working for a school district job with the best benefits and retirement. After schools went back, it was SO hard for me to manage both. One day, I was exhuasuted and felt so overworked with my school district job. With the support of my husband, he said, “just quit, you got this!” So, that is exactly what I did. I was terrified due to losing so many benefits, but it was the best decision I made. Another lesson I learned is that creating a tight network and solid group of entrepreneur freinds in your field that you can connect and collaborate with. One last lesson that I have learned is to ALWAYS take care your employees and pay them what they deserve. I have been blessed the absolute best team that gives me their all and I honestly know that that is because I take great care of them. I take care of them and they show up, 110%.

What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is the passion I have for mental health and the passion I have for being a therapist and for my clients. Mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to world to buy in and believe that to be true. Therapy is for Everyone and something I pride my brand on is making a therapeutic process as normal as possible and pride on creating an envioment that each client just comes in so naturally to process and talk about “life.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ohhh wow, this is tough because two of my office are in a small town, we refer to it as the HIGH DESERT, and, sadly, there isn’t too much to do out here. But, if I were to create an itinerary, it would include… breakfast at Jenny’s, maybe some shopping at the local mall, maybe swing by The Turn for some virtual golf, dessert at the dessert social, We would stop by The Talent Planet to see my daughters and all their talented dancer family practicing and rehearsing for competition, Target is always an exciting trip, we would get a blow out with my girl Analesi at Cooper and Strop and stop for a mani with Faby Nails at Blossom Beauty, catch a movie at the movie theater and dinner and drinks at Pancho Villas with my Girl Lucy as our waitress. that Kind of sums up the town and all the most eventful things we could do.

Now, my other office is in the city and there is TOO many things to do. My other office is in Rancho Cucamonga, which is HUGE and has so many fun, exciting things to do and food to eat. All things on the itinerary would be Breakfast at Gina’s Kitchen, a stop at the fancy outdoor mall at Victoria Gardens, a nice blow out at The Dry Bar, lunch at Longhorn. Shoguns or 4th and mill, some fun at top golf, we would also have to Make it to the Bowling Alley (Bowlero) and Big Al’s and last but not least, dinner at Flemmings.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There has been many people in my circle that have contributed to my story. First and foremost, one of my very first clinical supervisors, Cheryl Babb, shaped me as a therapist from the very beggining. she is someone that really helped me develop confidence to know I can expand and practice, on my own. Secondly, my two daughters, Cali and Khalea, are my number one motivation. they have truly inspired me to KEEP ON KEEPING ON! we have been through so much over the last 7 years and they have always seen me to thrive, no matter what the circumstance is. They are my biggest reason and drive. I want them to know, anything is possible, always strive to be the best version of you and the sky is the limit. I would like to shoutout my family, they have always supported me and wanted me to peruse what is best for me, my kids and. my future. I have a very SOLID group of friends who have ALWAYSSSS supported and cheered me on. They are such a huge part of my success. The late night calls, the stress, the uncertainty… just all of it. They were always there to ground me and motivate me to keep pushing. Last, but certainly not least, my NOW husband, I would not be where I am without him. he has always been my number one supporter. he has always pushed me and motivated me that “I can do it” He has never ever doubted me and any crazy idea I would ever throw at him, he was always down for the ride. He has been my rock through this all!!

Website: https://www.kcinspiretherapy.com

Instagram: KC_Inspiretherapy

Image Credits
Photo Credit is to Jessika Johnston @kaidenscloud9photo

The best Photographer ever!