It’s all in the name
The name Ria Horizon Co. draws inspiration from estuaries (Ria being the Portuguese word for estuary). Estuaries are dynamic spaces where freshwater rivers meet the ocean, serving as a metaphor for mental health. Like an estuary, our emotional lives are a blend of contrasting forces, where joy and sorrow, rest and activity, can coexist in balance. The rhythmic flow of tides mirrors how we process and release emotions, while the transitional “in-between” space reflects resilience and adaptability during life changes.
Just as healthy estuaries buffer against storms and provide outlets for water to flow, nurturing our mental health allows us to weather stress, process complex emotions, and find renewal.
Finally, the horizon, where the sun rises and sets, symbolizes the journey from darkness to light, highlighting hope, growth, and continual transformation.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make the transition into private practice feel more accessible, supported and sustainable. We recognize that taking this step can come with real obstacles and can feel overwhelming to navigate alone. By offering a flexible, low-commitment space, we aim to reduce that pressure so practitioners don’t feel they have to sacrifice everything to make it work.
Our goal is to provide a steady foundation where mental health professionals can build their practice with confidence, move at their own pace, and focus on creating work that reflects their values.
Our Values
Accessibility
We believe private practice should be within reach. By reducing financial and logistical barriers, we aim to make this path more attainable for more practitioners.
Flexibility
Growth looks different for everyone. We support practitioners in building their practice at their own pace, without unnecessary pressure or rigid commitments.
Sustainability
We value creating a way of working that is realistic and long-lasting, supporting both professional growth and personal well-being.
Autonomy
Your practice should reflect you. We believe in giving practitioners the space to build something that aligns with their own values, approach, and goals.
Care & Intention
Every detail of the space is designed with thoughtfulness, professionalism, and respect for both practitioners and their clients.
Who It’s for
This space is designed for mental health professionals who are exploring or building their private practice and are looking for a way to do so that feels manageable, flexible and aligned. Whether you’re just starting out or growing something established, this office offers a supportive foundation without the pressure of long-term commitments.
This space may be a good fit if you:
Are just starting to explore private practice
Are transitioning from agency or organizational work
Want to build your caseload gradually, at your own pace
Are looking for a professional space without long-term contracts
Need a flexible option that fits around your current schedule
Value creating a practice that aligns with your personal and professional values
My Story
My path into private practice wasn’t immediate, it was something I was able to build gradually over time. Working in the not-for-profit sector as a psychologist, I was given the rare opportunity to grow my private practice slowly, with flexibility and low financial pressure. I was able to maintain stable income through agency work while building my own caseload at a pace that felt manageable.
That experience became a foundation for everything that followed. It gave me the time and space to shape my vision, develop my niche, pursue additional training, and navigate the costs of being provisional without the constant fear of whether I could sustain it all. Over time, I was able to fully transition into private practice and build a thriving solo practice.
As I connected with others in the field, I began to realize that this kind of gradual, supported transition isn’t something everyone has access to.
Creating this space is my way of giving back to the community that supported my growth. My hope is to offer other mental health professionals the same kind of foundation, one that allows for flexibility, reduces pressure and creates room to build a practice that truly aligns with who they are.
Private practice has given me the ability to work in a way that reflects my values, my interests and my approach as a clinician. It has also given me the space to care for my personal life and health while living with chronic illness, something that has been an important part of my journey.
I recognize the privilege in how I was able to grow, and this space was created to help make that path more accessible for others, so that more practitioners have the opportunity to build something meaningful, sustainable and their own.
Want to know more about the office?
Take a peek inside our office and learn more about what we offer to help you grow or start your practice simple and stress-free.