Leah DeRose is the dedicated founder of DeRose Therapy Group and a seasoned Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with over 15 years of enriching experience within the mental health field. Specializing in the unique needs of young adults, college students, and young professionals, Leah brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to her team and her practice.
Her extensive background spans a range of therapeutic roles, from supporting children and guiding troubled teens to advocating for patients rights and fostering relational healing within couples. Over the past 8 years, Leah has adeptly steered the development and management of her practice, demonstrating her expertise not only as a therapist but also as a savvy entrepreneur.
Her dedication to professional advancement extends to her service on the board of the local chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT), where she contributes her insights and leadership to empower fellow practitioners.
DeRose Therapy Group stands as a beacon of mental health and wellness excellence, located on the Central Coast of California. As a practice, we redefine wellness by offering a comprehensive array of services all under one roof. We firmly believe that our collaborative approach, where psychotherapists, medication managers, dietitians, massage therapists and more, work as a unified team, providing the most beneficial outcome for our clients.
Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that we owe it to our clients to uphold the highest standards of care, treating everyone with the level of attention and compassion we would expect for ourselves and loved ones. We view it as our duty to lead by example, embracing a culture of self-care and continuous growth. By continually striving to better ourselves, we ensure that we are equipped to provide our clients with the exceptional care they deserve.
Leah DeRose, Licensed Therapist
Share a bit about your journey so far. How did you end up where you are today in your career?
A lot has transpired in both my personal and professional life, shaping where I am today and influencing where I see myself going from here. From early childhood and throughout my teen years, I went through adverse circumstances and obstacles that impacted me. Becoming a parent at the age of 19 presented its own set of challenges, yet it shaped my commitment to personal growth and development significantly. Because of the difficulties in my childhood, I was determined to provide the best possible life for my daughter and so I began my journey of self- discovery and self-improvement.
I became very interested in continuing my education and started going to college when I was 21, as it was a challenge to balance raising a child, working, and going to school. Once I took my first psychology course, my passion for psychology and mental health began. Studying psychological theory and practice while navigating my life challenges and growing from them, I felt inspired to use my past experiences to positively impact the lives of others. Through it all, I have come to be thankful for my past experiences, even the difficult ones, because they led me to where I am today.
Tell us about your business and how it makes a difference for your clients.
My practice, DeRose Therapy Group, is a female-founded mental health and wellness practice. We focus on cultivating an authentic and supportive environment for both our providers and our clients and lead with experience and compassion to provide a leading level of care.
We are client-centered and the work we do is relational, which creates trust and safety for the client and the foundation for the clinical work to be the most beneficial.
Cultivating a supportive culture within our practice fosters the growth of our team, both personally and professionally. This ripple effect generates an environment where our clients feel nurtured, safe, and supported in their journey of healing and personal growth.
We aim for our clients to develop the ability to navigate through past trauma, challenging family dynamics, and life obstacles by acquiring skills built through the support provided by their therapist. Building upon this, we empower our clients to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth through their therapeutic journey, which serves as a foundation for their healing and growth.
What kind of audience do you target your business towards?
Located on the Central Coast of California, we are passionate about supporting our community. We primarily work with high-functioning individuals committed to their journey of transformation. Their readiness to confront the discomfort of change significantly impacts our collaborative efforts. Our role is to provide unwavering support and guidance as they build the foundation and skills to achieve their goals and experience positive change in their lives.
I have often said that the clients we work with may be able to manage their lives without our services, but they truly thrive when they engage in the therapeutic and wellness process. We are a county that has limited resources for mental health and wellness and in instances where our clients are facing more significant challenges, we collaborate with community or state resources to ensure they receive the appropriate level of care. Our priority is to provide every client with the level of support necessary for their well-being and growth.
Tell us about your vision for the best outcome for a client.
Through my experience, I've witnessed the optimal effectiveness of teamwork, producing the maximum benefits for our clients. We offer a seamless avenue for prospective clients to engage with us to begin our services. We recognize the challenges in starting this process, particularly when someone is struggling, so we have options to either schedule online or give us a call for a complimentary consultation with our therapists. Our Client Care Coordinators recommend a provider based on their experience and understanding of our services and the information provided by the potential client. During the consultation, the client and provider can inquire, gather information, and ultimately decide if it feels like a good fit. The right fit is a priority, and we emphasize the importance of a harmonious fit to ensure the best outcome for the client.
Within our practice, integrating various services allows for seamless collaboration among the providers, enabling us to make referrals tailored to each client's specific needs. This collaborative approach facilitates the development of comprehensive treatment plans that address the wholistic well-being of mind, body, and spirit. As clients start treatment with one provider, trust is created in the therapeutic environment, developing the opportunity for engagement with other providers within the familiar and secure setting. All our providers extend support in scheduling additional services, aiming to empower our clients and equip them with the skills to eventually manage their own needs independently. Ultimately, our objective is to guide clients towards a point where occasional maintenance or "tune-up" appointments suffice, recognizing that everyone's journey is unique and honoring their progress every step of the way.
We all face challenges; can you talk about some tough times you´ve had in your career and how they´ve influenced your path?
Having dedicated nearly a decade to County Behavioral Health Systems, I encountered numerous opportunities for learning and development. However, I also recognized the possibility of burnout in this environment, a common experience among mental health providers. This career is difficult, mental health providers often experience burnout. It’s a known, and almost accepted, fact that at some point you will experience burnout. Recognizing the importance of continued growth as a therapist, while also prioritizing my mental health, I decided to establish my practice.
Managing a team of therapists proved to be challenging, requiring a delicate balance of supervision, support, and leadership. I quickly realized that effective hiring practices extend beyond clinical proficiency and have learned to hire based on personal qualities such as self-awareness, growth mindset and resilience in the face of challenges. I've come to understand the necessity of these qualities in maintaining the integrity of our team culture. With time and experience, my skills in management and supervision have evolved, contributing to a more cohesive and supportive work environment for both our team and our clients.
Another challenge lies in the relentless nature of business ownership, where the demands of the business can seem endless (and often really are!). I have struggled with establishing clear boundaries for myself, between work and personal life, finding it difficult to set aside work and professional responsibilities. However, I recognize the importance of safeguarding my own mental and physical health and have made efforts to reduce the intermixing of my professional and personal life. I add self-care to my calendar to make sure it gets done, even if it’s just time away from the office to go for a walk. I also try to take my weekends to turn off my business mind and focus on family and friends. These pieces have helped maintain my health and ensure I can continue to handle all the professional and personal pieces.
Everyone has something that keeps them going, what motivates you in your work?
I've become more and more aware of how important creativity is to me, particularly in my passion for interior design. Creating a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing space within our practice has not only been personally fulfilling but also serves as an ongoing outlet for my creativity. I love exploring new business ventures and ideas for growth and am consistently thinking of ideas for innovative programs, therapeutic retreats, engaging events, and valuable services for our clients and community. My future goals serve as a source of motivation. This is just the beginning, and I am committed to the continued growth and excellence of our practice, striving to grow it to its fullest potential.
The unwavering support of my family has been instrumental in where I am today. They have been my rock and my biggest support system. My husband's invaluable assistance in handling the operational aspects of the business has played a significant role in our success and connectivity between the team and our clients.
The opportunity to nurture and empower fellow therapists, both personally and professionally, is deeply gratifying. Witnessing their growth and development is a rewarding experience and I feel proud knowing how it enhances the quality of support we collectively offer to our clients. I am profoundly grateful for the remarkable individuals I have the privilege to work alongside, whose support makes the tough parts of running a business easier to handle.
Could you share a proud moment from your career?
There have been many proud moments, but one that stands out is the growth we have done in a short period and moving into our larger space. It hasn’t always been easy navigating the changes, but I'm proud that we have never given up. Running this business has become my passion, something I never imagined I could do a decade ago, and that's something I'm truly proud of.
Whenever I have a rough day and manage to push through it, I feel proud of myself and the services we offer.
Recently, we gave a presentation to a group of college students in our area. Watching my team speak so eloquently and passionately filled me with pride. They're an incredible group of people who have come together with a shared goal of helping others, and it's truly inspiring. There was a moment when I just listened to them and thought, "Wow, we are awesome!"
Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve personally and for your business?
I hope to expand our reach so that we can make a difference in the lives of more people, including both clients and mental health professionals. My vision is to establish a renowned space that offers exceptional services and genuinely prioritizes the well-being of our clients.
I dream of opening another location and developing programs to empower fellow business owners while addressing the ongoing need for mental health services within our community. Hosting a retreat for mental health professionals is also on my radar. Our location provides an ideal setting for learning, collaboration, and relaxation.
We're actively expanding our services and welcoming new clients. Our unwavering belief in the effectiveness of our services drives our commitment to supporting those facing challenges along their journey. Embracing a growth mindset is fundamental to our principles—we're open to all opportunities for growth, as it's ingrained in who we are individually and as a team.
