Hello
I am Dr. Christine Woods. My mission has always been to give back to the community that saved my life. As a social worker for more than 25 years, I have served in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors and academia. I earned my Doctor of Education and Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri- Columbia where I serve as an assistant teaching professor at the MU School of Social Work. I am the founder, owner, and lead therapist of CROWNED Counseling where she expands access to mental health treatment for our BIPOC community.
About My Business
Realizing the crucial need for minority therapists in Columbia, I expanded my private practice and established Crowned Counseling as a group practice in 2021, offering individual, family, and couples therapy. Crowned Counseling offers quality mental health treatment for our community. Our practice offers a safe and non-judgmental space for our clients to express themselves in a way they feel seen and heard. We believe that real, relevant, and relatable mental health services are keys to understanding and treating the individual and collective experiences of BIPOC communities.
When did you receive a SEED Grant and how has it impacted your business?
I received the SEED grant in November 2021. The seed grant helped catapult my business to the next level. Through the grant, I was able to take the funding to provide a streamlined intake process that ensures the integrity of the way we handle business. Due to historical mismanagement of health information in our community, it was and continues to be important to Crowned Counseling to develop and maintain trust with our clients when they seek, inquire, and engage in our services. Over the past 2 years, we have had well over 1000 referrals and our reach continues to grow because we are trusted!
What does being nominated for one of our M/WBE awards mean to you?
This award would speak volumes to my mission of expanding access to minority mental health. As we know, when minority businesses are not highlighted, they can lose momentum. Exposure in this way ensures that our community knows that Crowned Counseling is here and ready to serve. This M/WBE nomination expands our visibility and credibility as mental health providers and we are forever grateful.