Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Baumbach.
Hi Kristi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My professional story is full of twists and turns, stops and starts. I struggled to discover what I wanted to major in while attending Stephen F Austin in Nacogdoches (appropriately referred to as Nac-a-no-where, lol). I changed my major several times despite many professors/advisors recommending I visit the Social Work dept. Apparently, I had no real idea of what social work was and was resistant to find out more. Once I sat down with a professor and took the first Intro class I was hooked!
I worked three years during college with an “at-risk” program for teens which provided an intense, close-up look to the struggles kids have who grow up in poverty and without the privileges I took for granted.
Upon graduation (with my bachelors in SW), I obtained a job at Helping Hand Home for Children as a houseparent for boys who were all struggling with trauma, abuse histories, mental health, and who were in state custody. Due to their history, their behaviors were challenging during the healing process. I worked here for several years moving up into a supervisor role. During this time, I met my future husband and got married and had a baby before our second anniversary.
I intended to return to work, but just couldn’t leave this precious baby so we figured out a way for me to stay home. Another pregnancy (unplanned but much wanted) occurred soon after and we had two babies one year and 5 days apart. My second pregnancy was complicated and birth came earlier than expected, but all ended up working out beautifully. During this time, I did a little part-time work contracting with local mental health clinics and school districts working in homes to assist parents struggling with their children’s behaviors and challenges. A few years later, a third baby was coming along and I couldn’t manage work and children so stayed home several years fully.
This is where the twists happen! My father-in-law owned an online vacation advertising business and over a Thanksgiving dinner, we became business partners and “Texas Vacation Lodging” was launched. I was the “phone personality” and he was the behind-the-scenes programmer which was a good fit for us both. For about 10 years, I worked from home doing this business and was so very blessed to have the flexibility to be around with and for my children. Eventually, the business began to struggle, and I began to get bored, so I decided it was time to return to school to obtain my Master degree in SW. Thankfully, my husband and children were supportive and off I went!
Upon graduating with my MSW in Dec 2014 (exactly 20 yrs after graduation with my BSW) I took a job working at a psychiatric hospital and worked in various departments including the adolescent unit, intake, and Intensive outpatient. During this time, San Marcos Treatment Center visited us (marketing) and I remember thinking and saying out loud I wanted to one day work there! Eventually, that opportunity opened up and I worked there for a few years with adolescent girls. Both of these opportunities provided an abundance of professional growth and learning AND my entrepreneurial spirit was longing for something else, and Treebrook Counseling was born.
Interesting side note, my last name (by marriage) is Baumbach which is German for “tree by a brook”. I love nature and feel soothed by streams, rivers, creeks, lakes, oceans, etc. so the name Treebrook seemed so appropriate! I rented office space in Lockhart and hung my shingle intending to be a solo practitioner. One thing led to another and a previous co-worker wanted to do some part-time private practice work but didn’t want to figure out the business side of it so I hired her and she is still with us. I currently have 5 other therapists working with Treebrook and I manage the business and see my own clients. I love how it has worked out!
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?
Last question, I addressed some of the twists and turns. Here I will address what I learned and how I use it in my business today. Working in a hospital setting was extremely stressful and challenging for me. At the hospital I was at, our first CEO was amazing, and I learned my most important business value which is “do the right thing and the rest will take care of itself”. This hospital had many CEO changes during my time there and each brought changes that moved us further away from this value. Due to NOT setting good personal boundaries, I learned just how important that is to my own well-being both professionally and personally and feel this is one reason why Treebrook Counseling is a positive, welcoming, no-drama, place to work. This is evident in the longevity of both providers and clients who join us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
All people are inherently worthy of love, dignity, self-determination, respect, connection, and community. This is true for both clients and therapists who work with us. We are located in a small, rural community, and reputation is of utmost importance to being successful and having the opportunity to serve our clients. I have cultivated relationships with the school district, doctors offices, Chamber, etc. We serve a wide variety of clients due to the diversity of our therapists. We see children for play therapy, teens who have big behaviors and challenges, couples, adults, and seniors. We support each other and expect the best from each other.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am uncomfortable being the center of attention and vulnerability is hard! I am a homebody and just love hanging out at home with my dogs, cats, ducks, and husband. My kids are all grown and off living their best lives.
Pricing:
- We take a variety of insurances because we believe therapy should be affordable and accessible to all.
- We offer sliding scale spots for those without insurance as we are able.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://treebrookcounseling.com
