Today we’d like to introduce you to Peggi Wegener.
Hi Peggi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started volunteer work in Junior high. I was a “counselor” at a school for physically disabled children. Later, I volunteered in the physical therapy department at a hospital that served burn victims along with traditional physical therapy. By then I was “all in” for a career in Physical Therapy… and then came Chemistry at the University of FL.
Screeching halt! I switched majors and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and my graduate degrees in Counselor Education with a focus on clinical work. I always recognized that the physical body was important even in counseling work so continued to pursue understanding how the mind and body influence each other.
Between graduating and 2001 God was showing me that spiritual life was also important. Mind-body-spirit. If I left any one of them out, I was missing an important piece of the healing puzzle.
In 2001, I joined Mandarin Christian Counseling Center. I became the owner in 2010. I can’t say it was my dream to own counseling practice, but it is what God set before me. We have had larger and smaller staffs through the years. Currently, we have 2 locations — Mandarin and Ft. Caroline — and 4 therapists. Our mission is to join Christ where He is already working in our client’s life. We also recognize that not everyone shares our faith.
ALL people are welcome here. Though we will always work from a biblical foundation, overt references to our faith will be tailored to the needs of each person with whom we work.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has NOT been a smooth road at all. As I said, it wasn’t my dream to have a counseling center. I thought I would be a private practitioner under the umbrella of MCCC and do “my own thing”. God had other plans! Through a series of unexpected events, I became the owner and had to quickly adapt and make a plan.
I had to learn to do in-person marketing and public speaking in order to build relationships with local churches. Over time, I decided we would join insurance panels and employee assistance programs. I’ve had to learn billing, payroll, HR, and marketing, I purchased an office condo and had to figure out how to cost-effectively interior decorate to create a welcoming environment for clients and staff.
I have had amazing people come alongside me who have different skills and talents. Together we have made Mandarin Christian Counseling Center a place where people can come to repair, recover and reach for better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
First and foremost I am proud that MCCC has an excellent reputation in the community. Our staff is very skilled professionals with a personal commitment to Christ. There is a quote that I believe is attributed to Brother Lawrence that says “In all things testify to Christ. If necessary, use words.” We don’t always need to use scripture or prayer or other overt references to our faith to be used by God.
Personally, I continue to integrate the body into my work. I focus much of my attention on supporting people recovering from the impact of traumatic experiences. Trauma isn’t what happened – those things are awful experiences. Trauma is what happens inside of us after those awful experiences. We are impacted at every level — cognitively, physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually. I could go on and on. Talk therapy is only helpful when our entire system feels safe. I use TRE, a body-based intervention, to promote self-regulation and safety. It is a wonderful adjunct (not a replacement) to talk therapy!
TRE has become my passion. I want more people to know and experience this amazing tool. TRE connects us to our natural reset mechanism — rhythmic movements in the body that are often experienced as trembling or shaking. All mammals tremble after a stressful/traumatic experience. Humans, by the age of about 10, have learned to “lock it down” and thereby interfere with recovery. TRE unwinds the stress and tension in the body which promotes a sense of safety.
When the system feels safe, the thinking brain becomes available to generate options, evaluate options and choose a new course of action. TRE relaxes the musculature and calms the nervous system. And the best part of TRE? It is self-initiating, empowering, promotes independence, requires no equipment, and, once learned, requires no instructor. Think of TRE as ongoing maintenance for your mind and body!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Be prayerful in decisions. Take time to seek the Lord’s wisdom. If you choose to start a private practice, I would encourage you to network. Make time to attend professional gatherings, especially locally. Join Facebook communities of professionals (e.g., NE Florida Mental Health Professionals). Ask for recommendations of who to contact to talk about how to handle situations.
There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in our community. And be prepared to do everything yourself, at least initially. I knew NOTHING about the business of private practice but I couldn’t afford to hire someone to do all the tasks required outside of the therapy room. I still do most of the administrative tasks along with the maintenance of the office condo.
I joke that I am “The Chief Cook and Bottle Washer”, a phrase my father used.
Pricing:
- Initial Consult $180-$160
- Ongoing therapy $150-$135
- Introduction to TRE $75
- Group TRE $30
- Individual TRE $150-$125
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.jaxchristiancounseling.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandarinchristiancounseling
