Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Braune, MA, MS, LPC.
Hi Renee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been the “helper.” I was always the person that people went to when they needed support, advice, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to confide in. Being a support to people in my life was always important to me because I knew what it was like to not have support. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and my first marriage wasn’t much better. I experienced domestic violence and sexual assault at the hands of my then husband. I couldn’t believe I ended up in that situation. After everything I had been through as a child, I was the victim again. A little over 5 years ago though, I was given an out. It was like the universe knew that I had another purpose for this life. I found child pornography on my then husbands computer, he was abusive to me but this was a shock to find such disturbing images. I turned him into the police, and simply put, it was the silver lining I never knew existed until it was placed right in front of me. I was able to get free of my then husband with my three small children who were 3, 2, and 11 months old at the time. It happened abruptly. It was a shock, but a relief at the same time. I was finally free. I had survived. I got full custody, and after the divorce was finalized, and I saved some money, I moved across the country from Nebraska to Northern Michigan to get a fresh start. It sounds cliche, however moving was what my kids and I needed. During that time waiting for the divorce to be finalized I decided to go back to grad school to get my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I graduated with honors and immediately started my hours to become a fully licensed clinician. After three years of living in the North, I packed up our life again and moved to San Antonio. This was a move my kids and I so desperately needed. It provided better education for my children and more opportunity for us all as well. A few months after moving I became a fully licensed therapist in Texas and my practice Let’s Talk Therapy was born.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! The road has been anything but smooth. When I first went back to grad school I had three small children. They were 1, 3 and 4 at the time, and I was a single mom-I still am. I ran a daycare the first year and a half of grad school. I worked 12 hour days running the business on top of the 24/7 job that solo-parenting is. I had no help, but I knew that staying in Nebraska and completing the clinical part of my grad program, wasn’t an option. I closed my daycare and packed up myself and my three kids, and off to Northern Michigan we went. The town was small, the rent was cheap, and it was quiet- a life that my kids were not familiar with. I was able to live mostly off of my savings (thank you stimulus checks!) while finishing the last year of school, with the exception of working at my kids school part time. Living in a very small town, I am talking a town with no stop lights in the entire county, and McDonalds as the only fast food option for miles and miles, was not for me and my kids. There were several things that prompted the move to San Antonio, but opportunity for myself and my kids was a big one.
Moving across the country multiple times, being a single mom to three young kids, juggling grad school, and working—it was emotionally exhausting. There were countless moments when I thought, “I can’t do this,” and I’d feel held back by self-doubt, unsure if I could succeed. But every time, my drive would return when I looked at my kids. I wanted more for them—a better life, full of opportunity, safety, and love. Every decision I made, no matter how tough, was guided by that vision for their future.
So was it hard? YES. Has it all been worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Let’s Talk Therapy, we offer therapy for individuals (adolescents, teens, and adults), couples, and families navigating life’s challenges. When assembling a team of clinicians, my goal was to bring together professionals with diverse areas of expertise. While I specialize in domestic violence, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, and issues related to motherhood, my team focuses on a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, teen and adolescent struggles, couples therapy, PTSD, and other forms of trauma.
Our clinicians approach therapy from an eclectic perspective, integrating various modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, tailoring their approach to meet each client’s unique needs. At Let’s Talk Therapy, we emphasize a trauma-informed, holistic approach that focuses on the person as a whole.
What sets Let’s Talk Therapy apart from other practices is our approach as an integrated mental health center. We believe that mental health care goes beyond just attending therapy—it’s about nurturing your overall well-being. As we grow, we’re committed to offering more services that make it easier and more accessible for you to take care of both your mental health and yourself.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Becoming a fully licensed clinician involves completing 100 hours of supervision and several thousand clinical hours, and I was fortunate to have the best supervision group during this process. Although we were all at different stages of our clinical journeys, that diversity only enhanced the support we gave each other. Our unique life experiences and areas of expertise sparked meaningful conversations and learning opportunities. My supervisor, Kelly Ibarra, was exceptional in helping me refine my clinical skills and introducing me to interventions I now use regularly in my practice. She owns a practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan, focusing on betrayal trauma. While our clinical focuses differ, we still support and learn from one another. A great supervisor is invaluable, but what truly sets supervision apart is having someone who genuinely cares about you as a person. As therapists, it’s crucial to confront our own struggles and demons, and having a supervisor who acknowledges all aspects of you—both professionally and personally—makes all the difference.
Finding a mentor even after supervision has ended is vital for both personal and professional growth as a therapist. For me, this has meant building relationships with fellow clinicians during supervision and maintaining those connections after completing my hours. In many ways, we all serve as mentors to each other, offering guidance, support, and insight from our varied specialties. These relationships are invaluable for navigating clinical challenges, ethical dilemmas, and career development. We don’t always have the answers to every client issue, and having a network of professionals to lean on is essential for ongoing growth. I’ve found that reaching out to other therapists in my community and connecting via social media has been a great way to build these relationships. It’s important to find mentors whose therapeutic styles and values align with yours, but it’s just as crucial to engage with professionals whose approaches differ, as this fosters growth and new learning opportunities.
Pricing:
- We accept most major insurances including BCBS, Tricare, Cigna, Aetna, and UHC
- We also offer private pay and sliding scale cash rates based on financial need
- Virtual and In-Person sessions available
Contact Info:
- Website: LetsTalkTherapyPLLC.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalktherapypllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalktherapypllc
