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Written By: Jadin Williams

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Stephanie Saulsbury never imagined her journey would lead her to become one of Metro Atlanta’s most powerful women—but looking at the impact she’s made across the behavioral health field, it’s clear her path was destined for influence. What began as a calling to heAlp others evolved into a mission to disrupt outdated models, challenge stereotypes, and uplift underrepresented voices in mental health. With a career defined by transparency, structure, and service, Stephanie stands as a model for how personal conviction can drive powerful, lasting change.

Originally aspiring to be a criminal defense attorney, Stephanie pivoted into behavioral health when the universe nudged her toward a different kind of advocacy—one rooted in healing, connection, and community transformation. That shift unlocked a deep passion for working with individuals in need of behavioral support and mental health guidance. She quickly made her mark in the field, earning her credentials as a Behavior Specialist (M.S., RBT, CPS-MH) and eventually founding her own behavioral health practice.

Leading her business came with lessons in growth and grit. Stephanie faced the reality of managing a rapidly expanding team while learning to assert her expectations, create structure, and evolve into a firm yet empathetic leader. That pivotal moment—stepping into entrepreneurship—reshaped her leadership style entirely. What began as a service became a movement, with her business serving as a safe space for those seeking behavioral support and a model for how therapeutic services can be both effective and empowering.

But her rise hasn’t been without resistance. One of the ongoing challenges she’s faced is navigating public misconceptions about therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and behavioral support services. In response, she meets skepticism with compassion, grounding her work in consistency and affirmations. “I can only do the best I can with what I have,” she tells herself. “Everyone may not be satisfied, but if I’ve given my best, that’s enough.” That mindset has fortified her work and helped her remain a trusted source of care and leadership in an often misunderstood industry.

Mentorship plays a significant role in her journey. Stephanie is the kind of leader who answers the late-night messages and emails from young professionals seeking guidance. She believes mentorship doesn’t always have to be formal—it can be as simple as sharing advice, offering clarity, and helping others avoid the pitfalls she’s overcome. For many women in behavioral health, Stephanie is both a mirror and a map: someone who reflects what’s possible and shows them how to get there.

Her approach to work-life balance is equally intentional. As a mother and business owner, she adheres to a structured schedule, prioritizing self-care and family time as fiercely as she does her career. She’s learned the hard way that overextending herself doesn’t serve anyone—not her clients, not her team, and certainly not her own mental health. Her advice to women in demanding roles: set boundaries, schedule your peace, and don’t measure success by how much you juggle, but by how present you are in what matters.

Looking to the future, Stephanie is dreaming bigger. She envisions a commercial wellness center that offers therapy, behavioral services, and holistic life coaching all under one roof. A place where clients can exhale, heal, and grow in a calming environment designed with their well-being in mind. She also wants to create a pipeline for future behavioral health professionals—offering scholarships, paid internships, and mentorship opportunities to students and early-career professionals, particularly those from marginalized communities.

In everything she does, Stephanie centers diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through her platform on social media, she encourages women—especially women of color—to take up space in behavioral health and mental health fields. She believes deeply that her community is becoming more open to therapy and healing, and she’s doing the work to ensure they’re met with care that looks like them and understands them.

Stephanie Saulsbury is not just a behavior specialist—she’s a community builder, a thought leader, and a force for compassionate disruption. She’s showing Atlanta—and the industry at large—that leadership in behavioral health isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, purpose, and the courage to change lives one session, one conversation, and one boundary at a time.

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