Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefanie Bates-Mouton, LPC.
Hi Stefanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Where should I start? Sicily…1970-something. (True Golden Girls fans will get it.) Okay, back to my story. I was born in Natchez, Mississippi, but I proudly call myself a Houstonian. My family moved here when I was around twelve, and this city has been home ever since. I come from a huge, close-knit family of educators, helping professionals, and, simply put, the kindest people you will ever meet. So teaching, nurturing, and serving others is in my blood. Even as a kid, I knew I was meant to do work that makes a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
My career began in the classroom. I taught in Aldine ISD and Spring ISD for ten years, and let me tell you—teaching will show you everything you didn’t know you needed to know about people and patience. Early on, I realized something that would change the course of my life: so many of my students, especially those from disadvantaged or low-income backgrounds, were wrestling with challenges long before they ever made it to my classroom door. Some walked in hungry, exhausted, or stressed about situations no child should ever have to think about. And yet, somehow, they were expected to sit still and multiply fractions.
So I did what teachers do best—I became a one-woman support department. I combed hair. I kept snacks in my desk like a convenience store. I bought clothes. I made sure basic needs were met before we opened a textbook. It didn’t take long for me to understand that you can’t teach a child who’s in survival mode. Before they can learn, kids need to feel safe, seen, and supported. That realization opened my eyes to the emotional and mental weight so many young people, along with their caregivers, carry, and it awakened a new calling in me.
Deep down, I knew I was a counselor at heart. So I went back to school and earned my graduate degree in counseling. My first role after grad school was as an elementary school counselor. The experience I got was invaluable, but I later transitioned to middle school counseling—which was an adventure, a reality series, and a comedy show all wrapped into one. Middle schoolers are in a league of their own, trying to figure out who they are, balance hormones, survive social drama, keep up with academics, and still remember their lunch numbers. Many were deeply overwhelmed but expected to “act normal,” as if their world wasn’t spinning. Supporting them emotionally felt not just necessary, but deeply purposeful.
While working as a school counselor, I went back to school again (because apparently I was gearing up to be a lifelong student) to complete the requirements to practice in a clinical setting. After earning my LPC credentials, I began working part-time in private practice settings while still juggling my school counselor role. Then 2020 arrived—and the world flipped. Practically overnight, I had to switch all of my sessions to teletherapy. I’ll be honest: I was skeptical. I wasn’t convinced deep, vulnerable therapy could happen through a laptop screen. But I was wrong. Session after session, I watched people open up from their sofas, cars, back patios, and “don’t mind the laundry in the background” spaces. Real breakthroughs still happened. Real healing still happened. Despite my early hesitation, teletherapy worked—beautifully.
That experience completely shifted my perspective. So when I started seriously considering private practice full-time, I already knew which direction I wanted to go. I chose to build Embrace Wellness & Counseling Services as a fully virtual practice. I no longer questioned whether teletherapy could be effective—I had seen its power firsthand. With the unwavering support of my husband, Wes, I took a leap of faith. I left my school counselor position and, in November 2022, I officially opened Embrace Wellness & Counseling Services. And I haven’t looked back since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Those early months were…. humbling, to say the least. I started with just a handful of clients and had to figure out every single business detail—from documentation to insurance to building systems from scratch. Luckily, my son Jaylen, who’s a CPA, swooped in to handle the “numbers” part, because that is definitely not my area of expertise! I trusted that God would guide me, and He absolutely did. Over time, my caseload grew, and I’ll never forget the day I realized I was completely full—and actually had to refer out. I was equal parts overwhelmed and overjoyed. In that moment, it was crystal clear: I was right where I was meant to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a solo practitioner, I work with people dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, trauma, neurodiversity, and more. My clients often tell me that what they appreciate most is my calm, laid-back approach and the safe, judgment-free environment I create. I always remind them that nothing they share will make me see them as anything other than human beings, faults and all, working through their challenges. I use humor when it fits, because I believe therapy doesn’t always have to feel heavy for it to be effective.
Now licensed in both Texas and Pennsylvania—with plans to expand into more states—I continue to grow, learn, and follow God’s lead. I once thought I’d stay a solo practitioner forever, but my daughter Jada, who is now in graduate school pursuing social work, has inspired me to dream bigger. I see such promise in her, and because of that, I’m now pondering the idea of expanding to a group practice in the near future. (Jada, you better be reading this! I am waiting on you to join Embrace WCS!)
Through it all, my purpose remains the same: to help people live with intention, peace, and self-acceptance. When my clients experience breakthroughs, I feel it too. When they rediscover hope, I’m reminded why I chose this path. This work is more than a career. It’s definitely my calling,
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, given my heart for service, but I’m also one of the co-owners of a family business. My sisters and I launched King’s Circle Homes here in Houston, where we provide affordable housing for vulnerable populations—like seniors, veterans, and returning citizens who deserve a second chance.
Our team, which includes my sisters Renee and Angie, my husband, Wes, and my son, Jaylen, is focused on building safe and dignified spaces while removing barriers to secure and affordable housing. The work is purposeful, it’s personal, and full of sibling group chats that could be their own reality show. At the end of the day, we’re changing lives, and I’m proud of the legacy we’re building together.
Wait! I thought of one thing people may actually be surprised to know about me…I have trypophobia…It’s a fear/aversion to repeating clusters or circles. Look it up! It is actually “a thing.”
Contact Info:
- Website: embraceyourwellness.org
- Other: kingscirclehomes.com
Image Credits
OJ Battle https://www.ojimagesofessence.me
