Dr. Dalesa C. Rueda

CEO & Founder, Inspired & Free

Dr. Dalesa Rueda, known as Dr. Dalesa, is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. As the Founder & Lead Therapist of Inspired & Free, a multi-state virtual therapy practice, she is dedicated to providing culturally responsive, accessible, and transformative mental health care.

Dr. Dalesa's career began with a passion for training and mentoring therapists. She served as a clinical supervisor, graduate school professor, and administrator in various mental health organizations, shaping the next generation of clinicians. She found purpose in guiding therapists toward excellence, knowing that by strengthening their skills, she could impact countless lives indirectly.

However, when the pandemic reshaped the world, Dr. Dalesa’s vision evolved. After a major cross-country move that didn’t go as planned, she recognized an urgent need—people were struggling with mental health challenges, and therapists were overwhelmed with burnout, often working with clients who weren’t the right fit for their expertise. This realization led her to create Inspired & Free, a 100% virtual therapy practice designed to ensure both therapists and clients thrive.

Through her innovative approach, Dr. Dalesa has built a therapy practice that eliminates long waitlists while prioritizing strong therapist-client connections. She believes that when clients work with therapists who truly align with their needs, healing happens faster and more effectively. Likewise, therapists who witness meaningful transformations experience less burnout and greater fulfillment in their work.

Beyond private practice, Dr. Dalesa is an advocate for mental wellness, self-care, and relationship enrichment. She creates courses, retreats, and self-led therapy tools to help individuals and couples build deeper connections and live more empowered lives. Through her leadership, Inspired & Free continues to grow, expanding into new states and offering innovative mental health solutions.