Mental Health with Intention: The Circle’s Commitment to Women’s Wellness

Provider Spotlight | Based on insights from Misha Houston, MHS, PA-C & Courtney Houston, PMHNP-BC, co-founders of The Circle: A Mental Health and Wellness Collective

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month is more than a moment—it’s a reminder of what so many mothers, birthing people, and caregivers are carrying behind the scenes. For Misha and Courtney Houston, founders of The Circle in Concord, NC, holding space for those emotional loads is the entire heart of their work.

Their practice, The Circle: A Mental Health and Wellness Collective, is a place where women and girls across generations—teen daughters, new moms, and elders alike—can feel seen, supported, and safely held. With a unique blend of psychiatric care and therapeutic support, The Circle was built by two sisters with shared values and distinct strengths.

Creating Space for Women to Breathe

“We created The Circle to support and empower women through all stages of life,” Misha and Courtney shared. “From adolescence to motherhood to menopause, our goal is to make sure every woman who walks through our doors feels relaxed, rejuvenated, and genuinely supported.”

This means personalized care, time to be heard, and treatment that honors each woman’s lived experience. It’s not just about checking a box or filling a prescription—it’s about healing, connection, and trust.

Two Paths, One Mission

Though they walk the same path as co-founders, Misha and Courtney bring complementary expertise to their work:

• Misha, a Physician Assistant, specializes in dual diagnoses, combining her expertise in psychiatric disorders and addiction medicine to offer comprehensive treatment.

• Courtney, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, is trained in perinatal mental health and brings a nurturing, grounded lens to supporting new and expectant mothers.

Together, they make The Circle a uniquely integrative practice that meets each client where they are—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

What Makes The Circle Different

In a world where women—especially Black women—are often rushed, unheard, or misunderstood in clinical spaces, The Circle intentionally slows things down.

“The Circle is a judgment-free zone created by women, for women,” they explain. “We want our clients to look forward to their appointments—to feel like their care is a form of self-care, not just a clinical task.”

It’s this philosophy that draws women in—and keeps them coming back.

A Care Model for Every Life Stage

One of The Circle’s greatest strengths is their ability to serve a wide range of clients. From teen girls navigating stress and identity to older adult women facing life transitions, each client receives a care plan shaped by their current stage of life—and the deeper story behind it.

“We don’t treat symptoms in isolation,” they say. “We talk about relationships, school, work, friendships, and lifestyle—because all of that shapes mental health.”

Therapeutic support groups and peer-centered care further reduce isolation and offer community during seasons of change.

When It’s Time to Reach Out

Whether you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship stress, or life transitions like motherhood, menopause, or loss—The Circle offers space to be seen and supported. They provide assessments, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and group therapy in a setting that feels more like exhale than obligation.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, isolated, emotionally off-balance—or you just need somewhere safe to land—now might be the time to reach out.

How to Begin Your Journey with The Circle

The Circle offers both in-person and telehealth services across North Carolina, with future plans to expand.

They make the intake process simple and supportive:

1. Free 10-minute consultation – Learn more, ask questions, and see if The Circle is the right fit

2. Initial appointment – Full evaluation and personalized treatment plan

3. Follow-up care – Ongoing medication management and emotional support

4. Continued connection – Support groups and holistic, long-term care

📍 Location: 1030 Central Dr NW A, Concord, NC 28027

🌐 Website: thecircleformentalhealth.com

We’re proud to feature The Circle as this month’s Provider Spotlight, and even more proud to share that Misha and Courtney are also official sponsors of this year’s Nurture & Bloom experience. 🤎

This month—and every month—we honor the providers holding space for mothers and mother figures in ways that feel culturally rooted, emotionally safe, and deeply healing.