Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Hansen Cohen.
Hi Christina, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a licensed psychologist. I launched my 1st private practice in FL in Jan 2011. In May 2021, my partner and family moved to MN- it was “home” for me, and my partner’s family was also here. In Aug 2021, I began looking for office space to launch another private practice in Edina. It was a complicated process as office space was either “grungy basement, but affordable” or high-end and unaffordable. I struggled because it was easy to find large spaces but impossible to find an office under 1000 sq ft. In FL, I use an executive office as I do forensic psychology there. I also visited the Coven and other great co-working spaces when I was not zooming in with patients but wanted to be around people. I wanted a co-working environment with a private office to see virtual and in-person patients. However, it was impossible to find something with walls thick enough to offer the privacy that psychology requires or a space with a couch and chair- a therapeutic environment. Frustrated with looking for my ideal space for 9 months, I realized I needed to create it. After all, I couldn’t be the only mental health professional needing this environment. I conducted a market analysis, hired a co-working coach, and hunted for a new office space. Everything added up to this being a smart idea, and Therapy Suites, Inc. was born. In April 2022, I signed my lease with the E Building with the help of my incredible broker, Emily Kosokor. The building owner, Eric Anderson, was a fellow Ole grad, so we connected. He was supportive and excited about my endeavor. He then connected me with HGA, which helped with the floor plan, basic design, and Mike Johnson construction. Mike got my vision perfectly as his wife was a therapist. He and his team were phenomenal!
We officially launched in April 2023. We are located on the 5th floor of the E building in Edina- near 70th/hwy 100. Therapy Suites is the 1st ever-co-working space exclusively for licensed mental health professionals in the Twin Cities. We have membership plans that offer our professionals plans from virtual (we collect your mail, you use our address) to 80 office hours per month. The members book their offices through an app. It is super efficient, and they can book in advance, last minute, or between. In our suite, we have a peaceful waiting room with a receptionist. Beyond the waiting room, you will find 8 private offices appointed the same, a play therapy room, a conference room that seats 10, a kitchen with delicious snacks and beverages for our members, and a members-only lounge. We have a large conference room in the building, a lobby that works as a co-working space with a peaceful fireplace, a gym, and more. We also offer our members the use of the building e-bikes and have e-parking as well! It is an excellent space to build a mental health private practice and treat clients.
Since opening our doors, we have grown to 30 members, with 3 more joining in the next few months. Our members are all licensed mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. We have EMDR equipment for those certified to do so and psychological test kits for licensed psychologists.
The coolest part of Therapy Suites is the organic consultation that happens in an office. All of our members are so encouraging and motivating with other members. It is a positive, healing environment with space that is welcome. It is inclusive of all genders, races, and body types. You will not see pictures of people, our furniture seats up to 350-400 lbs, and bathrooms are gender-neutral. We genuinely want all people to feel comfortable in this space, whether it be the licensed mental health professionals or their clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes and No. As previously shared, we took our time finding the perfect space. We also had hoped to gain a business loan, but since we were a brand new gig, no one wanted to take us on a risk, so we had to dip into our finances to launch. There were other very minor glitches in the building along the way, which are super normal, but the building management and builder were excellent! As a founder, I have a lot of energy and determination, so I have always maintained realistic and crazy goals. We have continued to surpass our realistic goals and are now getting close to our crazy goals! Any time you start a project from the beginning without a set roadmap, there will be bumps and learning lessons. That is the fun and creative part of an entrepreneurship start-up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I outlined it well in the other questions. I have been a licensed psychologist for 14 years in Fl and 2.5 years in MN. I spent much of my career in forensic psychology, psychological assessment, and child/family psychology. When I moved to MN, I launched another private practice in Edina- Edina Psychology, specializing in psychological assessment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma therapy. Therapy Suites allowed me to give Edina Psychology a home and provide a great space for 30 other practices to do the same.
What came out of COVID was that most mental health professionals no longer need full-time office space, nor want to pay for space they are not using. That is where Therapy Suites meets their needs- they can use the space when they want it for whatever hours they want with minimal commitment. We have 6-month contracts; members can increase their membership as they grow or see more in-person clients. It allows them to secure a high-end appointed office space without the high cost they would usually have in such a space. It is an excellent and necessary concept for licensed mental health professionals!
What I am most proud of is how cool our space looks. Therapy Suites has the vibe of a medical spa without the waterfall. We have a spotless, professional environment demonstrating that mental health is on par with medical care. Our members offer a variety of treatment modalities, and everyone treats a different clientele. We genuinely provide services to all people, which is so cool!
Can you talk to us about the role of luck?
Luck is hard- I think my life partner and I have worked damn hard and been given solid minds for business- we have appreciated our gifts and are using them to empower others. I see myself as blessed and being given the opportunity to bless others. It is an honor to serve my colleagues with Therapy Suites.
Pricing:
- virtual plan is $99 month
- 5 hour plan is $150 month up to an 80 hour plan
- see link for rest of offerings
Contact Info:
- Website: www.therapy-suites.com
- Instagram: therapysuitesedina
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapysuites
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/89680195/admin/feed/posts/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@therapysuites
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapysuites
Image Credits
Head shot – Megan DiPiero Photography, Office images – Garrett Hansen
