Exploring Life & Business with Nathalie Maggio of Coastal Therapy & Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathalie Maggio.

Nathalie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Coastal Therapy & Wellness out of a mix of frustration and hope. Frustration with the one-size-fits-all therapy model where clients felt like they weren’t actually getting anywhere — and hope that therapy could be so much more than just a weekly check-in.
When I first opened the doors, it was just me, a small office, and the idea that therapy should feel individualized, active, and actually effective. Over time, as clients kept coming in and asking for different types of support, it became clear this wasn’t just my mission — it was a need in the community. That’s when I started building a team of top-notch therapists who each bring their own specialty and heart to the work.
Today, Coastal Therapy & Wellness has grown into a group practice with offices in Seal Beach and Manhattan Beach, plus virtual sessions across California. We focus on helping kids, teens, young adults, and adults move beyond just “getting by” — toward actually thriving. It’s been a journey of a lot of late nights, plenty of learning curves, and a whole lot of gratitude for the clients and community who’ve trusted us along the way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road. Growing a business, especially one in mental health, comes with plenty of curveballs. Early on, it was everything from figuring out how to actually run a business to realizing I couldn’t (and shouldn’t) do it all alone. Letting go was tough. This practice felt like my baby, and trusting other people with it (while holding onto my very high, type-A standards) was a real growing pain.
Later, it was learning how to hire the right people, build a supportive team culture, and keep our quality of care high while still growing.
And of course, therapy isn’t a “product” you can just package up and ship. Every client is unique, and every therapist has their own style, so building a practice that feels both individualized and consistent has taken a lot of intentionality.
But honestly, those challenges shaped how Coastal Therapy & Wellness operates today. They pushed me to create systems that actually support clients and therapists, not just check boxes. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it when we see clients feeling better, making real progress, and knowing we’ve built something that’s bigger than just me.

As you know, we’re big fans of Coastal Therapy & Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Coastal Therapy & Wellness is a group psychotherapy practice with offices in Seal Beach and Manhattan Beach, plus virtual therapy across California. We work with kids, teens, young adults, and adults, helping with everything from anxiety and depression to trauma, stress, and the general “I feel stuck and don’t know why and where to start” moments.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just sit back and nod while you talk or hand you some worksheets. Our therapists are highly trained and genuinely invested in helping clients make real progress. That means sessions are active and intentional, you’ll know what you’re working toward and how therapy is helping.
We’re known for being both professional and human. You’ll get therapists who can talk coping skills and nervous system regulation, but also laugh with you about how your brain spirals at 2 a.m. We specialize in evidence-based approaches like CBT, EMDR, mindfulness, art therapy, and psychodynamic work, but we use them in a way that fits you, not the other way around.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that people feel the difference when they come to us. Clients tell us they leave sessions not just feeling heard, but actually equipped with tools and insight they can use. That’s exactly what we want to be known for: therapy that helps people not just get by, but truly thrive.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m a big believer that resources don’t have to be complicated to be helpful. For me, it’s often podcasts or audiobooks I can listen to on the go, especially while juggling being a business owner and a new mom. I love Brené Brown’s work on leadership and vulnerability because it reminds me that leading a team isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about creating space for growth and connection.

I also pull a lot of inspiration from entrepreneurial podcasts where other business owners share the behind-the-scenes of building something meaningful. It’s grounding to hear that the ups and downs are universal. And honestly, some of my best “resources” are less formal: Long walks, meditations, journaling, and conversations with other small business owners who just get it.

Pricing:

• Individual therapy sessions: $150-225 (before possible insurance reimbursement)
• Couples and family therapy: $200–$250 (before possible insurance reimbursement)
• Therapy Groups: $25-75 (before possible insurance reimbursement)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coastaltherapyandwellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastaltherapyandwellness
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coastaltherapyandwellness

Image Credits
https://kiraalgerphotography.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kira.alger