Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantel Hams-Bates.
Hi Shantel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I come from humble beginnings. Much of my childhood was spent in foster homes, with an intermittent period living with my maternal grandmother. Around the age of 12 or 13, I was finally reunited with my mother. My early years were marked by trauma—experiences that, while painful, would later become the catalyst for my calling to help others who have faced similar struggles.
My story is extensive, but I’ll share a condensed version.
At age 20, I began having children. Though I was grateful not to be a teenage mother, raising children came with its own set of hardships. Throughout my twenties and early thirties, I gave birth to five children. Balancing their needs with my own mental health was incredibly difficult. A failed marriage and another relationship left me a single woman raising five children. While their fathers remained involved in their lives, I was the primary caretaker—and that was hard work.
I held down a job and had earned my high school diploma in 1995, but furthering my education felt out of reach. My focus was survival and caring for my children. Yet, deep down, I always wanted to become a therapist. I just didn’t have the time, resources, or energy to invest in myself.
Then one night, I had a dream—a vivid, spiritual vision that I believe came from God. In it, I saw myself helping many people. I knew in my soul it was a divine call to pursue therapy. So, by faith, I answered.
At 35 years old, I enrolled in school for the fifth time. This time, I was determined not to let anything—or anyone—stop me, not even myself. With only a high school diploma and five school-aged children, I began my academic journey. It was hard. But I was determined.
In 2015, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in psychology—the same year my oldest daughter graduated high school. It was a milestone for both of us. Just four months later, in January 2016, I began my master’s program. In 2019, I earned my Master’s degree, and in 2023, I obtained full licensure as a mental health therapist.
The road here was long and difficult. But every step was worth it. And the work is far from over.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road was not smooth at all—and that’s what makes my journey so powerful. Emotional and psychological challenges from my childhood trauma shaped my early years and mental health, yet I turned that pain into purpose. I had to learn how to manage my own mental health, while being the emotional anchor for my children, which was a constant balancing act. Raising five children as the primary caregiver meant sleepless nights, financial strain, and little time for myself. Even with supportive fathers, the day-to-day responsibilities fell heavily on my shoulders. I had to work consistently to provide for my family, which left little room for pursuing higher education. Also, enrolling in school at 35, after multiple previous attempts, required immense courage and discipline. I battled with depression, self-doubt and negative self-talk often. I would tell myself things like, “it wasn’t the right time, I couldn’t do it, I had too much on my plate, I wasn’t good enough and even the that I wasn’t worthy”.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Journee to Healing was born from a divine encounter—a spiritual moment of clarity in which the name was given to me. It wasn’t just a name; it was a calling. After years of personal transformation, academic pursuit, and professional growth, I launched my practice in September 2023 to serve individuals across Missouri through accessible, compassionate telehealth therapy. My own journey—from childhood trauma and foster care to single motherhood and mental health struggles—has shaped every aspect of this practice. I’ve lived the pain, the healing, and the rebirth. And now, I walk alongside others as they begin their own path toward wholeness. At Journee to Healing, I provide telehealth therapeutic services to individuals, families, and communities across Missouri. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and rooted in empathy. I specialize in: Trauma Recovery, I provide mental health support for teenagers and adults, this includes, but is not limited to, grief, anxiety, depression and substance abuse counseling. I also provide therapy for parenting and family dynamics as well as faith-based therapy (upon request).
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One of my favorite quotes, that has turned into my life’s motto is, “perhaps, just perhaps, you have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others that it can be moved”. Life is interesting. We all have a story. We all have experienced some things that, while not pleasant, has been the very things that have shaped our lives in meaningful and purposeful ways. Our perspective of these things can cause us to stay stuck, or we can use those things to move us forward in purpose. We do not have control over many things that happen to us, however, with an understanding that we indeed have freedom to choose our responses in every situation, even in the face of suffering, life can be lived on a grander scale. When we understand that life happens for us and not to us, our perspectives can switch. With this in mind, I will leave the readers with this, Life poses a question to us all, what answers have you given? May GOD, who is rich in grace and mercy, and that wants nothing but to give us those meaningful and peaceful desires of our hearts, be with you all. Be Blessed!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://journeetohealing.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeetohealing._
