Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Junod.
Hi Christine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This is actually my third career and every step of the way has been fun! I don’t ever plan to retire, there’s too much more to learn.
After retail and project management, I was a family pastor in Northern CA and Central MN for 17 years. I really loved connecting 1:1 with people and after becoming an empty nester, decided to get my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and bring advanced training to people’s healing stories. My passion has always been to help people feel unstuck.
Even though Bethel was highly competitive, I took the risk and only applied there because their program really stood out. I figured if I wasn’t accepted, I’d do more research if needed. It was an intense few years as a “mature” student and I loved every minute of it! I became a regular at local coffee shops and listened to Brazil 66 music as I studied and wrote papers. The rhythm of Brazilian music really helped my ADD brain focus. I felt spoiled to have the luxury of study time because I didn’t have any family obligations to add to my schedule except for a part time job.
It didn’t sink in until my last year in school how much post-grad work I would need to complete before becoming fully licensed in Minnesota (one of the harder states to obtain therapy licenses). I had to complete 4,000 supervised hours counseling couples, families and individuals along with ongoing training. While I could finally charge for my services, I also had to pay for all of the supervision and training. Well worth it as well as another challenge to coordinate. Fun fact: during my 3 intense study years, my self care consisted of listening to the 264 Frasier episodes through three times during my many commute hours as well as crocheting 17 afghans as if it were my job.
Initially, I stayed with one of the clinics where I had completed my internship for my first two years in the biz. After I got licensed, I spent another 6 months researching what it would take to open my own practice.
Renaissance Therapy and Consulting opened her doors in a vintage renovated office building in downtown Buffalo on February 2, 2022. People have asked me if I was nervous or afraid. I was definitely giddy. It only took a few months before I was carrying a full load of clients and it has remained that way ever since! I feel very blessed that I have never even had to do special advertising.
I’ve had a number of careers, life experiences and crises that have woven into my life’s tapestry that contribute to what I do now. I am happy I took the leap in 2016 and couldn’t be happier with the quality of my life now!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The challenges? Meeting all of the nitty gritty licensing requirements and meeting my own deadlines. I had wanted to have licensing complete in 2 years and it ended up taking 2 years and 2 months because I took 3 weeks off and unplugged from the world to regroup. I’d been working straight as a student and then pre-licensed therapist and realized I needed to watch some grass grow and play with my puppy.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
RTC provides individual, couples and family mental health therapy in person and via Telehealth Monday – Friday. I focus on trauma and high conflict situations. What sets me apart from others is not only the advanced trauma training and conflict focus but how this applies to divorced or blended families.
I am a certified EMDR trauma therapist, have Level 1 IFS (Internal Family Systems) training and begin Level 2 in 2026 as well as other certifications. I have found that treating the person as part of the family system is best served using IFS (parts) and EMDR (addressing big and little T trauma). I am thrilled with my high client retention rate – many have followed me from my intern days.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Biggest shout out goes to my supportive husband Steve who not only proof read every paper but fell into the cook’s role by default when we both discovered guess who didn’t have that kind of time anymore?
Several close friends cheered me on before, during and after. One is the photographer for my office! My adult children listened politely as I eagerly shared my inspirations and my son has patiently rearranged my office more than once when I needed his muscle.
My Bethel professors were encouraging. For three years, I went to a place that was welcoming and validating in every way. I had over 8 supervisors due to the different topics I was studying and value each of their input from how to write notes (Lambers Fisher MSW, LMFT) to how to speak to clients about billing charges comfortably and answering all kinds of how-to’s (Gina Cadwallader LMFT) and others. Hats off also to my clinical supervisor and owner of Healing Moments Counseling, Kathleen Massmann, PhD., who gave me an internship opportunity and initial contractor position.
Anna Walker, of Walker Strategy created an outstanding website for me and that continues to drive searching clients my way. She was well worth the price and I appreciate her work every time I check my site.
Private Practice Startup is the site I studied diligently and took their expertise to heart on what to do to start your own practice. Their buffet of podcast topics are invaluable to a newbie!
Each one of my post-grad trainers has provided invaluable inspiration for me to continue to grow as a therapist.
The owners of my office building OutDoWork have been wonderful to work with including dealing with sound proofing and providing an espresso maker.
My many clients also cheer me on as supporters. There’s nothing sweeter than being with them having an aha moment on their journey!
Pricing:
- Private Pay Intake Session $275
- Private Pay Session Fee $200
- I also take insurance from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA and Health Partners
Contact Info:
