Today we’d like to introduce you to Creinthea Chritz
Hi Creinthea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like
My story begins with a middle school classroom and a dream. After graduating from University of Colorado, I taught middle school in the Denver Metro Area of Colorado and Charlotte Mecklenburg School system for several years, and struggled with the ever-changing landscape of academics and mental health for adolescents. As a teacher, you wear many hats: social worker, counselor, friend, mentor, even somewhat of a lunch-lady at times! I grew tired of the public school system as I watched so many youngsters struggling with mental health that I didn’t have time in the classroom (or room!) to address. So, I went back to school with the idea that I would become an administrator or faculty member in higher education, and perhaps I could explore the connection to mental health and empowerment…so off I went to school again. After graduating with my Masters in Education from Regis University, I was sure it would fuel the fire in me to address growth, change, and foster that in others. As you can imagine, all aspects of education are experiencing change! I needed more!
So I had an idea, I would go back to school….again….this time for a completely different major: nursing.
At that point I had relocated from Denver, Colorado to Charlotte, North Carolina and started nursing school at North Carolina A&T University. I finished in 11 months, and it was a wild ride! When I began practicing as a nurse, I dove headfirst into the world of inpatient nursing. I garnered experience in Intensive Care, Progressive Care, Psychiatric Intensive Outpatient Care, Psychiatric Inpatient, and Outpatient Care. Add a dash of COVID in there, and I really began to see just how mental health (or lack of) affected every patient I ever laid eyes on. I saw it in the eyes of all kinds of patients, from bleeding, gunshot victims to those having routine dialysis. It fascinated me! How the mind could have such a hold on how we take care of ourselves or even have the ability to push forward in spite of a dire diagnosis. I needed more.
I returned to school….again….this time to become an Advanced Practice Provider in Psychiatric Mental Health care. Shortly after graduating, I was “bright-eyed and bushy tailed”, and managing a full caseload of patients on a daily basis. Practicing therapy and balancing medication management all at the same time. Then, my husband and I found out we were pregnant.
I had always wanted to be a mother, and had a perfect image of what I’d be as a mother. Pregnancy, however, is a sobering experience. For some, it’s picture perfect. For me, it did something much different. I experienced my first bouts of anxiety, became diagnosed with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and had a traumatic birth story complete with C-section..and enter postpartum. I felt that women already struggled to have a space in the mental health field to be listened to without scrutiny for show of emotion. But add on a pregnancy…and a newborn…and nursing…and a crying mama…. Whole different story! What baffled me was the lack of resources for new mamas…and women as a whole. It became abundantly clear to me that women often did not have a space dedicated to their mental health care. Care for birthing, and care for their offspring, and care for their physiology…but not mental.
So , I opted to create space for that change. And that’s how Coherent Care: Women’s & Maternal Wellness was born. Serving teen girls, college students, the “thinking about having a family” ladies, the preggo, the postpartum, and the professional women.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a journey to say the least! Tik tok, Insta, and Facebook can give a woman an idea of what motherhood looks like and feels like…It can do that for young women who are about to embark on the new journey of college as well. Then reality hits. And we stumble to find ways to “keep it together”.
For me personally, I struggled with my first pregnancy. Within the first three months, I had been to the doctor’s office over 5 times, and that’s not including the typical check-ups! Then I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then late preeclampsia. During the hospital stay, I labored for three days…and had an emergent C-Section. I lost a considerable amount of blood, and barely remember seeing her held over me.
And I’m not the first to have had experiences like this.
It changes a woman, and it changes a mother.
We’ve been impressed with Coherent Care: Women’s & Maternal Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Coherent Care:Women’s & Maternal Wellness was founded under the concept that adolescents, young women, mothers, and professionals deserve specialized attention for mental health. We need a space!
It was created to provide that very space for those who want in-depth care, collaboration between their other healthcare providers, more time during appointments, labwork that isn’t generally provided by an OBGYN or primary care provider, and alternative options.
Not ALL mental health prescribers want to handle a diagnosis with a pill. Coherent Care offers vitamin injections and supplements for mental health, as well as female enhancement. Because mental health affects sexual health! I envisioned Coherent Care to be able to focus on addressing all aspects of care (including referrals) for mental health. Coherent Care also focuses on the perinatal and postpartum woman during her most vulnerable time.
I am proud of what Coherent Care serves, as I wanted to have a hand in creating something that I wish I had for myself when I was starting college, becoming a professional and finding myself, and becoming a mother.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It’s hard to put yourself out there, but “slow and steady wins the race”. Don’t let social media dictate what your brand is and means. Stand on your own two feet, and your dedication will shine through.
Accept hard truths. You are always going to learn lessons, and a good, thriving business understands and moves accordingly.
Also, never…EVER.. stop chasing your dreams.
Coherent Care started with a dream. In a classroom.
Pricing:
- Offering Medication Management
- Consulting & Speaking
- Vitamin Supplements
- Labwork
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coherentcare.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coherent_care/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoherentCare
- Other: https://mailchi.mp/b6bcc1b0a307/lead-generation-landing
