Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Conti.
Hi Christine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Well to start with, I never envisioned myself as a therapist let alone a business owner. I always found intrinsic value in serving others, and joined the Air Force with the intention of one day serving in the diplomatic corp. Life as always has other plans and I met someone, fell in love, and had children. While serving I had a number of airman who said they wish they had a guidance counselor like me in high school, after about the third time it gets you thinking. So when it was time to get out of the AF to focus on family, I went back to school to be a guidance counselor. I loved working with the children, but realized that I could better serve my clients as a therapist. So again, went back to school. I finally found my place as a therapist helping others. I was fortunate enough to work for an amazing practice in NJ, where I initially got my training and was inspired to start working on my own. Eventually, when my children graduated High School, I decided to come back to Charleston, a wonderful community I had been stationed at 20 years ago and opened Phoenix Counseling and Wellness Center.
Therapy can be transformative, but once it ends people are often left on your own. I wanted to create a space that became someone’s touch stone. From a therapy perspective often times multiple members of a family are receiving treatment. A practice like Phoenix allows collaboration amongst the therapist to fully help a client grow, and convenience of a one stop shop. I wanted Phoenix to be more than traditional talk therapy, but a place where clients would continue to grow by attending workshops, retreats, groups, etc. In addition, there is growing research that supports mental health with energy healing provides another facet that our clients can use before, during and after completing traditional talk therapy. These aspects of the practice make Phoenix unique and a touch stone for clients to remain in a healthy place throughout their life journey.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. Like many bootstrap entrepreneurs, I was building the practice while carrying my own caseload and managing family life. There were plenty of days when it felt like there were not enough hours in the day. In the beginning, I was doing almost everything myself, so it took time to find the right support staff. It’s a little crazy to look back now and realize I have a team when I once did it all alone. Seeing how Phoenix has grown makes those early days feel worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My personal approach is Solution Focused. I am also trained in Sand Tray Therapy, a nonverbal approach using miniatures to create individuals’ inner worlds. It’s symbolic in nature and can be transformative. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted a practice that could fit the individual, so when I bring on a therapist I look for someone whose focus is different from mine. I’m most proud of having the courage to do something different. Not only can we help more people because we offer multiple therapy approaches and energy healing a we accept insurance, offer in-person and telehealth sessions.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Good question. Let’s address the elephant in the room: AI, ChatGPT, and social media. Many people follow someone online who “gets them” or turn to their favorite AI chat source to help put things in perspective. However, there are nuances a computer cannot pick up on—nonverbals like tone, the slight droop in your shoulders, or the catch in your voice when you speak about something difficult. On the positive side, there’s a growing acceptance and normalization of mental health. I think the industry will continue to grow, but it’s important for therapists to stay connected to current research and evidence-based practices.
Pricing:
- Most major insurance accepted
- Individual self pay $120
- Reiki $130 for 60 minute session
- Sound Healing $130 for 60 minute session
- Small Group Gentle Yoga $20 per class
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.counselingbyphoenix.com/wellnessservices
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenix.counseling.center/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phoenix.Counseling.SC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-conti-lpc/
