Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Rumler.
Hi Renee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t start out believing I would become a therapist. In fact, at 18, college didn’t feel like it was meant for someone like me.
My childhood was marked by both love and hardship. My mom worked incredibly hard, showing resilience in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time, while my father remained distant and disconnected. By the time my parents divorced when I was 17, I had already begun pulling away from my family and, at times, from myself—making choices that didn’t always reflect who I truly was or who I wanted to become.
After high school, I stepped into the workforce, building a career in banking. Around that same time, I married my high school sweetheart, and together we began building a life. We welcomed two children, and for a while, life followed a steady, predictable path.
Then in 2010, everything shifted—I lost my job.
What initially felt like a setback became a turning point. In the uncertainty that followed, I began to consider something I had never seriously believed was possible: going to college. Around that same time, I attended a spiritual conference where I experienced what I can only describe as a clear calling—God placing it on my heart to pursue a path in mental health.
Looking back, that moment didn’t come out of nowhere. My own healing journey had begun years earlier, when I was about 20 and had the privilege of working with a therapist who truly saw me. That experience planted a seed. It showed me that healing was possible—and that being seen, heard, and supported could change the course of a life.
So I took a step of faith, even though I didn’t feel fully ready. I went back to school. I kept going. Even when it was hard.
My path into the field began with working with youth, then expanded into addiction recovery. Each step deepened my understanding of how pain, resilience, and hope intersect in people’s lives. Eventually, that journey led me to where I am today: a licensed mental health therapist in Owatonna, Minnesota, and the owner of Courage Counseling. I also have the privilege of working alongside other dedicated clinicians in a collaborative we call the Mental Health Connection.
Today, I am advanced trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and integrate multiple approaches to meet people where they are. But more than any specific modality, what I bring is the belief that change is possible—because I’ve lived it.
I am most proud of my family and my education. The life I share with my husband—now more than 25 years strong—and our children is something I hold with deep gratitude. I would not be where I am without his steady support and encouragement, especially in the moments when I doubted myself.
If there is one thread that runs through my story, it is hope.
Hope that even a difficult beginning does not define the ending.
Hope that setbacks can become turning points.
Hope that healing is possible, even when it feels far away.
Every day, I have the honor of walking alongside individuals who are brave enough to begin their own healing journeys. And it is my hope—and my prayer—that I can continue to serve others with compassion, authenticity, and care, helping them discover that same sense of possibility within themselves.
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?
The road has not been smooth, but I did share my struggles in the previous question.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Courage Counseling, LLC?
Courage Counseling was built on the belief that healing is possible for everyone—and that no one should have to navigate that journey alone. As a licensed mental health therapist based in Owatonna, Minnesota, I provide a space where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward with hope.
At Courage Counseling, I work with individuals across the lifespan, with specialized experience in trauma, anxiety, and addiction recovery. I am advanced trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a highly effective, evidence-based approach that helps clients process distressing experiences in a way that is often faster and less overwhelming than traditional talk therapy. I also integrate a variety of other therapeutic modalities to ensure care is tailored to each person’s unique needs.
In addition to my private practice, I collaborate with other clinicians through the Mental Health Connection, a collective of professionals committed to increasing access to quality mental health care and fostering a sense of community in the healing process.
What sets Courage Counseling apart is the heart behind the work. This isn’t just a profession for me—it’s personal. My own journey through healing deeply informs how I show up for others. I understand what it means to sit on the other side of the room, and that perspective allows me to meet clients with genuine empathy, authenticity, and respect.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Courage Counseling reflects exactly what its name represents: the bravery it takes to begin healing. Reaching out for help is not easy, and I strive to create an environment where clients feel safe taking that first step—and every step after that.
I want people to know that at Courage Counseling, they will be met without judgment and with a deep belief in their capacity for change. Whether someone is navigating past trauma, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, my goal is to walk alongside them as they rediscover their strength, resilience, and hope.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Meeting individuals where they are at during sessions. I am a people-centered therapist who strongly desires to help others find hope in healing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://couragecounseling.org
- Other: https://www.mentalhealthconnection.net
