A working mom’s journey to helping other moms find balance, health, and fulfillment in life with Annia Palacios”
/
credit Atali Samuel Photography
Annia Palacios is a mental health therapist and coach. She is the owner of Tightrope Therapy – an online therapy practice helping pregnant women and moms find a balance so they can enjoy life and motherhood, not just survive it. Annia is no stranger to the challenges that come with motherhood, as a mom of two and a stepmom so when she says she gets it, she means it! Her expertise in working with moms and women sets her apart as the go-to for moms seeking the mental health care they deserve.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I’m a first-generation Latina and a mental health therapist and coach. I am also a wife, and mom of two young boys, and have a teenage stepdaughter. As a child of immigrants with English as my second language, I didn’t have a path laid out for me. I’ve grown up being independent, self-sufficient, and learning as I go as I established my career and my business.
What inspired you to start your business?
The average person waits 11 years before seeking mental health treatment. So many people suffer in silence, and we don’t have to. My online therapy practice specializes in working with moms and moms-to-be and helping them navigate their mental health – everything from anxiety during pregnancy, and grief through infertility, to postpartum depression.
Moms are often the CEOs of the family and carry the mental load (and also the physical load as we grow our babies), but we often neglect moms and their mental health. Becoming a new mom is one of the biggest transformations in our lives and we could all use support – especially as we also navigate relationships, return to work, and try to do it all. When moms care for themselves and their mental health, the family feels the positive impact and thrives. Moms deserve mental health care, and I’m here to help.
Where is your business based?
Everywhere! I offer online therapy services to clients living in Texas and Florida and my coaching services are available to people living anywhere in the U.S. and internationally. The traditional way of doing counseling just wasn’t for me – and wasn’t for my clients either. Moms can now access me via their laptop, during naptime from the comfort of their yoga pants. I’m proud to provide greater access and opportunities for moms to get help.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
My first step to starting a therapy practice was to go to therapy. Yes, really. I had to do my own mindset work and navigate the fear of being an entrepreneur, especially as I am the primary breadwinner in our household. I had to shift my mindset and confront my fear head-on to recognize the value I could bring to so many more women across the globe.
From a practical standpoint, I enrolled in Abundance Practice Building (highly recommend to therapists out there) to learn all the business aspects as therapists are not taught business and how to start or manage a private practice in school.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Being authentic. This is a core value for me personally and has also brought me great success professionally. From my website to all interactions with clients, people know what and who they are going to get – me. With social media providing us with curated versions of people’s lives, I am even more drawn to the realness that moms need as they navigate insecurities and mom guilt of not being good enough.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Leaning into the unknown. I had a comfortable job that paid well and had health insurance – that’s the American dream and what I thought I wanted. The easier thing was to stay at that job but I was determined to lean into the unknown and navigate my fear and discomfort to succeed as an entrepreneur. I also found community in other like-minded therapists who reminded me that it was possible and of course, I have a fantastic partner by my side who inspired me to start my practice and has supported me every step of the way.
How do you stay focused?
Remembering my WHY, personally and professionally.
Personally – my kids are mine why. I love to work and was not cut out to be a stay-at-home parent. It truly is one of the toughest jobs as my stay-at-home husband can tell you! Being able to spend more time with my family and create a schedule and life that works for us keeps me motivated.
Professionally – 1 in 7 women experience perinatal depression either during pregnancy or postpartum, and many go untreated. That’s a lot of women who need help. Reminding myself that I am changing lives – for moms, their babies, and their families keep me going.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Being really clear about who I am and having a clear niche of who I work with. I truly believe that no one person can be everything for everybody – and this includes therapists. While we have extensive training in so many different types of mental health challenges and populations, I don’t believe we can or should do it all. My ability to specialize in working with moms lets them know that I see them and I get them.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Know your audience so you know who you are actually trying to market to. Where your clients live, hang out, and spend their money and their time are crucial questions to ensure you get a solid return on investment and only spend money where you make money.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Be prepared to fail and have a plan for how you’ll pivot. You’ll learn so much on this entrepreneurial journey and you won’t always get it right. Being ok with being uncomfortable and not getting it right is important – this is where the growth happens – and then having a plan b for when and how we pivot is key to success.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
App – Spotify. As a busy mom on the go, I love podcasts and appreciate being able to hear and learn from so many other great therapists, leaders, and entrepreneurs out there.
Blog – Christine Michel Carter. She is a fellow working mom who tells it like it is and paves the way for moms to create fantastic lives for themselves.
Book – Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker. She provides a refreshing take on the role of alcohol in our lives as women, and moms, and how we can take back our power.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Private Practice Skills with Dr. Marie Fang. Owning a therapy practice isn’t covered as part of our master’s programs so when I have a quick question and want a tried-and-true answer, there’s a good chance Marie has a video on it!
Who is your business role model? Why?
Dr. Therese at Exploring Therapy. She advocates for building a life you don’t need a vacation from. I love her vibe, her authenticity, and her ability to craft a practice outside of the box as she travels the world while maintaining her thriving private practice.
How do you balance work and life?
By being self-aware of what I need and asking for it. This can look different from day to day for me. Sometimes it’s sleeping in and having my husband take the kids, sometimes it’s quality time with the family, and other times it’s travel and adventure.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Binge-watching House Hunters International with my husband as we prepare for our next chapter – taking our life, business, and family abroad.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Continuing to grow my business and launching an online therapy group for moms so they can find support and build community.
How can our readers connect with you?
Readers are welcome to visit my website www.tightropetherapy.com to learn more about my therapy and coaching practice. I can also be reached via email at info@tightropetherapy.com.