Like all good fairy tales start, Cobblestone began out of necessity and adversity. Back in 2016 I, Kristen, started my own solo private practice on the premise of I wanted my clients to sit in my living room, with my dog, slippers and a hot cup of coffee to do therapy. That did not exist where I worked so I ventured out on my own and created that environment. Through many changes in names, logos, locations and cities I found myself back in St Louis with a similar problem in 2023. However, this time I was 9 months pregnant with our son, James. I worked at a corporate therapy office and felt it was not the right place for me and our growing family. So one week before my due date I quit and just like in 2016, I ventured out, but this time not on my own. My husband, Scott, my parents, my in-laws, extended family and, the GGs and all of my friends rallied along side of me to help build the foundations of Cobblestone Collective. None of this was possible without the encouragement and belief given to me by my very first supervisee Maria. It was a real “where you go, I will follow” moment and I am forever grateful for her faith in me. Because of your faith and loyalty Cobblestone grew from a solo practice to a group practice.
Scott asked me one day what my vision was and how was Cobblestone going to be different than any other group practice out there. And this reminded me of all of the things I was told I could not do in this business: you can’t go barefoot, or wear slippers, you cannot put colorful, fun or silly art up, you cannot have your dog in session, you can’t give the clients coffee, you can’t allow adults to color or doodle, I basically felt like I was told I had to be a robot and could not be a human in my therapeutic career. Well, if you know me at all you will know that I am a barefoot preferred, coffee drinking, dog lover who wants people to feel supported and comfortable in my presence. I want you to take your shoes off, cry in my office and actually heal! Because honestly, I will not be wearing shoes, I will cry and I will be drinking coffee. I do not want to limit my clients or the THERAPISTS! Oh the therapists!! This leads me to the main reason I started Cobblestone, it was always for you…the caregiver, the healer, the therapist. We have been limited and told how to do our jobs by so many people but we really need is support, freedom and ice cream sandwiches in the freezer. This is the hardest job imaginable. This is not a 9am-5pm 40 hour work week job! This job comes with secondary trauma, insurance paneling, insurance billing, insurance politics, imposter syndrome, liability issues, fear of HIPPAA violations, being sued and being un-ethical. That is WAY too much to manage on your own. So I created Cobblestone so that you can come in the doors to a beautiful space with free coffee, tea and ice cream (I am serious about the ice cream- go check the freezer), help your clients heal and then GO HOME and live your life! I am happy to take care of all the nitty-gritty insurance, liability, intake inquires and even TAXES! I want you to have the freedom to be the type of healer you want to be without the headache, while making a living wage! Weird concept isn’t it?
This whole journey reminds me of my exit interview from Missouri State University. They asked me “What do you want to do with your degree?” I simply answered “Change the world. One person at a time”. They laughed but little did they know that is exactly what I would be doing. Whether it is a cup of coffee, a blanket, a supportive standing ovation or tears I am truly here for you…the client, the therapist, the kiddos. I love you all and really love this journey of helping, healing and building with you all.
Love, Kristen