Today we’d like to introduce you to Christen Lewis.
Hi Christen , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my professional journey in the mental health field after graduating from Southern University at New Orleans with a Master of Science in Social Work in 2009. My graduate concentration in mental health was where I first discovered a deep and lasting passion for serving individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges.
Following graduation, I accepted my first role as a Mental Health Professional (MHP) with New Beginnings Behavioral Health, where I provided outpatient counseling services for seven and a half years. During this time, I also accepted a part-time MHP position with another agency. It was there that a supervisor recognized my skills, experience, and leadership potential and offered me an opportunity to serve as a trainer—my first exposure to an administrative leadership role.
In 2015, I was offered a position as a Multi-Systemic Therapist Supervisor with the same ownership group at a different agency. Within six months, I was promoted to Program Director. Within my first year in this role, I successfully launched an additional program and played a pivotal role in transforming the organization from bankruptcy into a thriving, multi-million-dollar company. In recognition of my contributions, the owners invited me to become a partner, granting me ten percent of the company’s profits in addition to my monthly salary.
A defining moment came when my father visited me at the office. As I shared the company’s history and the changes I had implemented—many through self-teaching and determination—his response was simple yet life-changing: “You should be doing this for yourself.” Although the idea resonated deeply, fear, comfort, and a lack of faith in myself—and in God’s plan for me—led to hesitation and procrastination.
The conversation resurfaced years later, this time with the vision of starting a mental health agency in Texas. Around 2017–2018, I gave life to what I once considered an “invisible company,” naming it Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc., and registering it with the Secretary of State. However, due to personal challenges and continued self-doubt, I did not move forward, and the entity was eventually dissolved.
In 2021–2022, after prayer and reflection, I received a renewed vision—not only for entrepreneurship but for purpose-driven leadership. With clarity and faith, I reestablished Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc., this time partnering with my father. The company name was still available, reaffirming that the vision was meant to endure.
In August 2022, Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. officially opened its doors. By August 2026, the company will proudly celebrate four years of service—standing as a testament to perseverance, faith, growth, and the belief that walking in purpose can transform both lives and communities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Along my journey, I faced significant personal, professional, and systemic challenges that tested both my confidence and my faith. One of my greatest struggles was a lack of confidence and a deep fear of fully stepping into the role of a business owner. At times, I struggled with trusting God’s plan for my life, allowing fear and uncertainty to delay my obedience to the vision placed before me.
As I researched the requirements to open a behavioral health agency in Louisiana, the barriers felt overwhelming. One requirement included securing a $50,000 line of credit—an expectation that was simply unattainable for me at the time. In addition, the financial burden of obtaining office space was required before I could even begin the application process with the Department of Health and Hospitals to become a Medicaid provider. These financial obstacles, combined with limited startup capital, made the dream of entrepreneurship feel out of reach.
Equally challenging was the lack of accessible guidance. I had limited knowledge of the business startup process and struggled to find individuals willing or able to help someone attempting to build a company with no financial backing. I learned that many people are hesitant to share how they achieved success—whether out of fear of competition, discomfort in revisiting their struggles, or reluctance to reveal how difficult their journey truly was. This lack of transparency created additional isolation during an already uncertain time.
When the vision shifted toward opening an agency in Texas, some barriers were removed, as the requirements were less restrictive than those in Louisiana. However, new challenges emerged. At the time, I was raising two small children, and my primary support system remained in Louisiana. Additionally, my husband was not aligned with relocating at that stage in our lives. I also lacked an established professional network in Texas—there were no familiar agencies, mentors, or community resources that could offer guidance or support in launching a similar organization.
In contrast, Louisiana offered familiarity and connection. I knew individuals and organizations that were willing to support me, collaborate, and help generate revenue immediately upon opening my business. While the path was not easy, these relationships ultimately made it possible for Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. to begin serving the community from day one.
Each obstacle—financial limitations, lack of knowledge, limited support, and personal responsibilities—became a lesson in resilience, faith, and perseverance. What once felt like barriers ultimately shaped the foundation of a company built on purpose, integrity, and unwavering commitment to service.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pathways Behavioral Health, INC?
Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. is a comprehensive mental and behavioral health organization committed to providing high-quality, intensive outpatient counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults. We specialize in serving individuals with mental and behavioral health diagnoses, including those experiencing co-occurring (dual) diagnoses involving substance use and addiction.
Our clinical services are designed to address the whole person and strengthen the family system. We provide Skills Training and Development, equipping clients with practical coping strategies and life skills needed for daily functioning. Through Routine Case Management, we actively collaborate with families to connect them with essential community resources and supportive services that meet their unique needs. Additionally, our Psychosocial Rehabilitation services—often described as life coaching—support adults by providing structure, accountability, and guidance to improve overall quality of life and independence.
What distinguishes Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. from other providers is our integrated, in-house service model. We offer Pastoral Counseling for clients who prefer a faith-informed and holistic approach to healing. Our psychiatric services are provided by a dedicated Psychiatrist and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and include comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and ongoing collaboration with our clinical team. We also offer individual, family, and group therapy, allowing us to tailor treatment plans to meet the diverse needs of those we serve.
To ensure accessibility and continuity of care, we accept Medicaid, commercial insurance plans, private insurance, and self-pay options. Our commitment to the community extends beyond traditional clinical services. Each summer, we host a free Summer Enrichment Camp for our clients, combining morning group therapy with therapeutic and skill-building activities throughout the day. This program reinforces coping strategies and life skills taught by clients’ assigned Qualified Mental Health Professionals in a supportive and engaging environment.
In 2025, Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. expanded its mission by launching a Social Work Internship Program designed to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for professional practice across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of mental health care. We are proud to partner with Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, University of Houston, Grand Canyon University, and Walden University. Due to program growth, we now also accept students pursuing degrees in Mental Health Counseling, further strengthening the future workforce in behavioral health.
Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc. is a HUB-certified organization with the State of Texas, reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our administrative and clinical staff represent a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and we strive to create a welcoming environment by offering services in multiple languages, including Spanish, Cantonese, Latin, and others.
Community engagement remains central to our mission. We actively partner with nonprofit organizations, school districts, and local agencies, and we regularly participate in community events as part of our commitment to giving back and strengthening the communities we serve.
At Pathways Behavioral Health, Inc., we believe that healing happens through connection, purpose, and access to compassionate, comprehensive care—and we remain dedicated to walking alongside our clients on their journey toward stability, growth, and lasting change.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Throughout my journey I have identified several that are important to success. They consist of;
1. Self-Belief
The courage to trust your abilities and move forward despite fear or doubt.
2. Faith and Purpose
A clear sense of purpose—and faith in the vision—provides strength during uncertainty.
3. Resilience
The ability to adapt, recover, and persist through challenges and setbacks.
4. Willingness to Learn
Openness to growth through experience, self-education, and learning from mistakes.
5. Discipline and Consistency
Commitment to showing up and doing the work, even when motivation fluctuates.
6. Patience
Understanding that meaningful success takes time and requires endurance through delays and seasons of preparation.
7. Integrity and Service
Leading with honesty, compassion, and a commitment to serving others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pbhinc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbhinc?igsh=eWVrNnFtMG41emZ5&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1K6VE7Zry9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/pathways-behavioral-health-inc-898b57245
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbhinc?_r=1&_t=ZT-93SqzqMQ5v5
Image Credits
BWhitley Photography for first personal photo
