Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Fowler, M.ed, LCPC, CYT-200.
Hi Ebony, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My Journey to Becoming a Therapist: from insecure to self-assured
My path to becoming a therapist was not a straight path, it was a calling that slowly revealed itself through both personal experience and professional growth. I have always been the person who wanted to understand people, help them learn to love themselves, and overcome painful experiences without shame. That pull toward healing came long before I had the license, all these titles, or my own business, it was rooted in my own story and in watching the people I love deal with their own challenges early in life.
As a child, I dealt with undiagnosed ADHD, social anxiety, bullying, sexual harassment, and struggled with self acceptance for a pretty long time. Struggling with low self esteem did not make this journey easier for me, especially as a little Black girl who was expected to be smart, talented, polite, and confident. I often felt overwhelmed and misunderstood, carrying emotions I did not know how to express or make sense of on my own. I really needed therapy back then but did not recognize that as a viable resource for me, I also didn’t know anyone else in therapy either.
Thankfully, I received lots of loving guidance from my mother, who supported me unconditionally as I learned how to navigate difficult experiences without losing my mind or my sense of self. However, I still learned to wear whatever mask the moment called for to feel valued and to fit in; which did not help me get any closer to manifesting any of my dreams. I realize now how much better my life could have been with professional support from a licensed therapist. This is part of what keeps me deeply committed to helping children and teens develop the language, the mindset, and the tools they need to protect their mental health while they’re still developing. I want them to have what I did not, the chance to feel secure within, express themselves freely in the world, and believe that they really have the power to achieve their goals, despite the odds.
Growing up, I also witnessed the devastating impact of unresolved trauma in the lives of the people I loved. Many family members and close friends carried wounds that were never talked about or fully resolved and I watched how that pain shaped their relationships, life decisions, and sense of self-worth. Seeing that kind of quiet suffering made me wish there was something I could do to help people heal and love themselves the way they deserved. That desire fueled my determination for becoming a psychotherapist and mental health educator over time.
Before beginning my career as a therapist I worked primarily in the human services field, including early childhood education, family case management, foster care training, and in a few therapeutic support positions for women and children. It took me longer than expected to gain the confidence to commit to a graduate program in counseling at Loyola, imposter syndrome from previous academic challenges and feeling invalidated in different jobs made me believe I wasn’t good enough to be a therapist. But each one of these professional roles helped me grow more skilled, more committed, and more confident that becoming a counselor was part of my purpose in life. Once I began working as a mental health therapist in community clinics, schools. substance treatment centers, and online for private practices I received constant confirmation that I was making a real difference in people’s lives. That professional validation felt amazing, this is literally the most rewarding part of my career journey! I’ve learned firsthand that healing is possible, with the right connection and guidance, for people of all ages.
Currently, I work in a variety of meaningful roles within the mental health industry as a licensed psychotherapist, children’s book author, yoga and meditation instructor, and community wellness educator. I have facilitated healing with participants in many settings, including the therapy office, community workshops, school gyms, public parks, and in yoga classes. I am hoping to make a positive impact on society by helping people heal themselves so they can create healthier outcomes in their lives, in their families, and in our community at large. Everything I do, professionally, connects back to the same mission: to help people overcome trauma, develop healthy self love skills, and embrace their unique light confidently so they can share their gifts with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a mental health business, alone, while providing high quality clinical services has not always been easy. I’ve faced many personal and professional obstacles to maintain my sanity and the success of my company. Becoming a business owner was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, especially without formal business training. I learned through research, trial and error, and guidance from mentors and experienced colleagues. Marketing has never been my ministry, but I’ve done my best to create authentic campaigns that resonate with the people and organizations who can benefit from my services.
Showing up as a therapist comes naturally, but managing the administrative side of a practice has been challenging. In the early years, I struggled to start and sustain a healthy business, and I accumulated significant debt from owing revenue to a former employer and not fully understanding taxes as a self-employed provider. Humbling myself to ask for help from financial specialists and local entrepreneur resources was a turning point that allowed me to regain control and plan for growth.
This past year, I faced another major challenge: losing half of my therapy clientele after leaving local insurance plans, which had consistently supplied my business with clients for years. Transitioning to out-of-pocket services was necessary for financial stability after dealing with inconsistent insurance payments, sometimes going a month without compensation for work I had already done.
Looking back, I’m amazed I maintained my composure and continued providing effective therapy while managing my own depression and anxiety. Divine guidance, mentorship, and support from my own therapist kept me grounded and focused on elevating my business this year. Despite the struggles, I continued to receive high client ratings and testimonials, reflecting the positive impact I was making.
Another unexpected challenge was the grief and guilt of transitioning clients to new providers who accepted their insurance. Many could not afford out of pocket therapy costs, saying goodbye was heartbreaking. It felt like I was letting them down, but I had to trust that my purpose in their lives was fulfilled, and that I helped them improve their lives while we worked together. The emotional toll of making business decisions that prioritize financial sustainability over instinctive caregiving as providers is rarely discussed in graduate school, yet it is very real for many therapists.
After regaining my footing, I faced the ongoing challenge of attracting new clients without insurance support. This led me to expand my public speaking and group-based services, which allowed me to increase revenue while positively impacting more people in the community. Despite my initial fear of speaking publicly, this pivot turned into an unexpected blessing, helping me reach more people and gain confidence in a new area of my practice.
Through all these challenges, I’ve learned invaluable lessons that continue to strengthen my business mindset and shape me into the entrepreneur and therapist I never knew I could be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Embrace Your Light Counseling and Wellness, LLC?
At Embrace Your Light Counseling and Wellness, clients are treated as valued stakeholders, not just consumers. My therapy and community-based services are tailored to each person’s needs and grounded in advanced clinical and holistic approaches that support meaningful growth beyond traditional talk therapy alone. Clients often leave sessions and workshops with real tools they can apply immediately. I deeply value the trust placed in me as a mental health provider and ensure my services reflect care, efficiency, and gratitude.
What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for?
I am a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland, providing therapy virtually and in person. I specialize in trauma recovery and help clients release beliefs and behaviors that interfere with their growth, confidence, and overall wellbeing. My work often supports women navigating imposter syndrome in toxic or competitive work environments, as well as high-achieving students managing academic pressure while protecting their emotional health.
I am also a certified yoga and meditation instructor, teaching breathwork, mindfulness, and movement practices that reduce stress and support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing for individuals and groups. My goal is to bring retreat-quality mindfulness experiences into the school and workday, offering restorative, resilience-building tools that support people in the moment. My hope is that I will be able to create a full, weekly, yoga and mindfulness club for a local school that can run throughout the school year to support students mental, emotional, and social development.
In addition, I am also a children’s book author. My first book, The Happiness Handbook, was created to help students build emotional resilience, self-confidence, and healthy coping skills in an engaging and accessible way. I bring these lessons into schools and youth spaces through interactive workshops that support emotional awareness and self-care. The Happiness Handbook is available on Amazon for purchase at
https://www.amazon.com/-/zh_TW/Embrace-Your-Light-Happiness-Handbook/dp/2851347063
I also work as a mental health educator and group facilitator, offering workshops and support groups for schools, organizations, and community spaces focused on communication, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing.
What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud of brand-wise?
I practice what I teach. I invest in my own therapy and wellbeing, I have done the internal work to move through depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and personal trauma many times throughout my life. This lived experience shapes how I show up with compassion, clarity, and consistency in my work with therapy clients. I also truly care about my clients wellbeing and success, this enables me to act as their therapist, their advocate, their case manager, and their cheerleader. Therapy with me doesn’t end at the end of the visit. I often provide helpful insight, activities, and resources for clients in between sessions to assist them with doing their own work outside of our visits. I want to set them up for success.
I am proud to say that I’ve built a community-based brand known for being genuine, affirming, and effective. Many clients choose to continue working with me long after they’ve accomplished their initial treatment goals and most typically refer me to friends and family often. Clients sometimes even share enthusiastic sentiments with me like “You’re stuck with me now” and “I can’t wait to see where I am next year with you by my side”, expressing a desire for consistent therapeutic support as they continue evolving and excelling over time. I believe this level of client-therapist trust exists because therapy with me feels approachable, productive, and even enjoyable, for most of my clients. I work very hard to help them all feel seen, safe, and empowered, and it’s extremely fulfilling to watch them thrive in life as we work to together and after they “graduate” from therapy.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?
I am currently accepting new therapy clients, adults and teens, for virtual and in-person sessions. I offer a variety of payment options including, same day billing, extended therapy intensives, pre-paid visit packages and payment arrangements to accommodate different financial preferences. All services are out of pocket and I can provide documentation for insurance reimbursement (if applicable for clients with OON benefits).
I am based in Catonsville, Maryland, with in-person availability and flexible day and evening options, Tuesdays-Thursdays each week. Clients are able to choose their session frequency and session length when they register for services, with options ranging from weekly to monthly visits and 45-90 minute sessions (as appropriate).
I am also accepting booking offers for workshops and speaking engagements for 2026; serving schools, private and federal companies, and community organizations throughout the DMV. Offerings include, student/staff wellness education events, staff development or appreciation workshops, staff/student support groups, yoga and mindfulness events, and mental health skill building groups. All speaking events are socially curated by me to be engaging, enlightening, and empowering for participants of all ages.
Additionally, I also provide emotional support animal evaluations that meet state and federal guidelines for renters and college students seeking accommodations for their pets in their home or campus housing. I work with both clients who already own their pets and clients looking to obtain new pets. Evaluations must be conducted over three visits, which can be completed within 1-2 weeks in cases that are more urgent.
If you’re considering therapy services or interested in partnering to support wellness in your school, workplace, or community, I invite you to connect with me when you’re ready. Looking forward to making more connections and sharing my love for mental health and wellness with you soon! Learn more about my work, offerings, and client experiences by visiting my website, www.EmbraceYourLightCounseling.com
How do you think about happiness?
Professionally, I feel really fulfilled when I help someone feel better about themselves or level up in life. I love being a therapist, my work brings me joy, this was literally my dream job! I also have found that I enjoy leading groups and workshops because there’s something special about seeing multiple people leave feeling encouraged, hopeful, or more connected after one just encounter. I especially love the moments when I push past my own fear, speak confidently in front of a large group, and feel that rush of elation from stepping fully into my voice and my calling.
Personally, I create happiness intentionally through everyday choices. I try to fill my life with laughter and peace as much as possible, usually from watching stand-up comedy or cartoons, singing off-key karaoke, having fun outdoors with friends, cuddling with my dog, yoga, reading, or indulging in relaxing self-care activities. Eating good food is always a top priority too lol.
Right now though, what brings me the most happiness is seeing my mom continue to recover and witnessing pieces of her personality return she had a double lung transplant this past summer. I share caregiving responsibilities with my dad and sister, supporting her physical and emotional recovery each week. It’s been one of the hardest seasons our family has faced, but also one filled with lots of gratitude and connection as I travel back to Philly each week to support my family. Balancing caregiving with managing my business, and trying to protect my peace has been very challenging this year. I am amazed everyday at how God sustains my heart and my energy to support so many people in their healing journeys while navigating my own grief and trauma internally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.embraceyourlightcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embraceyourlightcounseling/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebonyfowlerlcpc
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ebony-fowler-catonsville-md/817093
