Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Herrera.
Hi Melinda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is really one of faith, purpose, and perseverance. I started my career in behavioral health over 15 years ago with a passion for helping people heal. I began as a counselor, sitting across from individuals who were at some of the most difficult points in their lives. Over time, that passion grew into a desire to make a broader impact—shaping not only individual lives, but the systems that support them.
That journey led me from clinical roles into leadership, eventually becoming the CEO of San Antonio Recovery Center and now serving as Vice President of Admissions for BayMark Health Services’ Residential Division. It’s been a full-circle experience—using both my counseling background and my administrative leadership to ensure our programs deliver compassionate, effective, and ethical care.
Along the way, I founded Passages of Hope Counseling, a private practice rooted in faith, hope, and restoration. My professional path has been anything but linear, but it’s been deeply purposeful. Every step—from working with clients directly, to building teams, to turning around struggling programs—has prepared me to lead with empathy, strategy, and integrity.
At the heart of it all is my belief that healing is possible, that leadership should be servant-minded, and that God truly uses every chapter of our lives to prepare us for the next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I’ve learned that purpose rarely comes without pressure. There have been seasons of exhaustion, self-doubt, and moments where I questioned whether I could keep pouring into others while trying to build so much at once. Balancing executive leadership, motherhood, marriage, and the launch of my private practice, Passages of Hope Counseling, tested my capacity and my faith in ways I never anticipated.
There were nights I’d finish reviewing reports for one of our residential programs and then shift gears to design a counseling framework or develop devotional content for my practice. It was a constant juggling act — building something meaningful from the ground up while still showing up fully for my team and my family.
In the professional space, I faced the pressures that come with leading through change — rebuilding culture, creating stability, and advocating for both clients and staff in a demanding industry. As a woman in behavioral health leadership, I had to learn to stand firm in my values, even when the path wasn’t clear.
But every challenge became a lesson in grace and perseverance. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen in the easy seasons — it happens when you’re stretched thin, trusting God with the pieces, and realizing that He’s shaping you for something greater in the process.
As you know, we’re big fans of Passages of Hope Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At my core, I’m passionate about restoration — restoring people, systems, and purpose. In my professional role, I serve as the CEO of San Antonio Recovery Center and Vice President of Admissions for BayMark Health Services’ Residential Division, where I oversee admissions operations across multiple states. My focus is on optimizing processes, strengthening conversion strategies, and creating systems that remove barriers so clients can access treatment quickly and compassionately.
With a background as a Director of Admissions, I’ve built my career around developing teams, improving workflows, and aligning operations with both excellence and empathy. I specialize in bridging the gap between strategy and human connection — ensuring that every metric we track represents a real person finding hope and help.
Beyond that, I’m the founder of Passages of Hope Counseling, a private practice rooted in faith and emotional healing. There, I provide therapy for individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, and life transitions — helping them rediscover their identity and peace through both clinical and spiritual integration.
What sets me apart is that I lead from lived experience. I understand the weight of high-volume operations and the responsibility that comes with serving people in crisis. I’m known for my ability to bring structure to chaos, to mentor others into confident leaders, and to lead with both accountability and grace.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single milestone — it’s the ripple effect of impact. Watching a once-struggling admissions team exceed goals or hearing from a client who found hope because someone picked up the phone — that’s the kind of success that matters to me. Every win, big or small, reminds me that this work is sacred.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding the right mentor isn’t just about looking for someone with a big title — it’s about finding someone whose values align with where you’re trying to go. I’ve learned that mentorship can come in many forms: a boss who challenges you to grow, a peer who sharpens you, or even someone who models the kind of balance and grace you aspire to have. Some of my best mentors didn’t even know they were mentoring me — I simply paid attention to how they led, how they treated people, and how they handled pressure.
For me, networking has never been about collecting contacts; it’s about building genuine relationships. When you approach people with authenticity, humility, and a willingness to learn, doors open naturally. I’ve also found that mentorship works best when you bring something to the table, too — whether that’s a strong work ethic, loyalty, or a teachable spirit. It’s not a one-way relationship; it’s mutual investment.
What’s worked well for me is staying connected to purpose. I pray for discernment in every relationship — that I connect with people who not only challenge me professionally but also help me grow personally and spiritually. Some of my greatest opportunities came through conversations that started from a place of service, not strategy.
At the end of the day, mentorship and networking are really about stewardship — being intentional with the people God places in your path and learning from every season and every connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.passagesofhopecounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passages_of_hope?igsh=MzBmMnB2MWVyenVw
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/melinda-herrera-ms-lpc-s-17177966
