About Us
Foster the Mind
Welcome to Foster the Mind, a 501(c)3 organization committed to transforming lives through innovative brain-based treatment modalities. Our vision is to enhance the well-being of abused, foster care, and adopted populations, along with their families, by harnessing the latest advances in neuroscience. At Foster the Mind, we believe in fostering hope and instigating lasting change.
Our Mission
Foster the Mind was established with a single purpose: to offer accessible, cutting-edge mental health treatment to abused, foster care, and adopted populations and their families, often at reduced or no cost. Our focus revolves around pioneering brain training technology and treatment, including neurofeedback and other forms of neuromodulation.
Child maltreatment, encompassing physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect, exacts a devastating toll on individuals and society as a whole. This includes a spectrum of psychiatric disorders such as developmental trauma, attachment disorders, PTSD, and stress-related medical conditions. In 2015, the CDC revealed a staggering economic burden of $2 trillion resulting from child maltreatment in the United States annually. The lifelong repercussions of early maltreatment on mental and physical health amplify the strain on individuals, families, and society due to the significant direct and indirect costs of illness and relational dysfunction.
Our Approach
While effective mental health treatments abound, Foster the Mind takes a unique approach by tailoring individualized treatment modalities that facilitate the brain’s healing and recovery from abuse, trauma, and various other mental health concerns. The ultimate aim is to enhance the quality of life and potentially reduce long-term health costs.
Our Vision
Beyond individual treatment, Foster the Mind seeks to foster collaboration within the mental health community. By uniting services, resources, and clinicians, we aim to create a connected national and global network that better serves abused, foster care, and adopted populations.
Access and Support
While our primary mission is to assist those who often lack access to such specialized treatment, we are proud to provide mental health services to the general public as well. Any fees from these services contribute to funding support for abused, foster care, and adopted clients.
Building Hope
Looking ahead, Foster the Mind’s ultimate vision is to establish a residential treatment and foster facility. This facility will maintain a low staff-to-resident ratio and offer short and long-term, brain-based holistic treatment for abused and neglected children and adolescents in crisis. Through comprehensive individual and family treatment, we aim to lay a foundation for hope and healing, realizing our vision for a brighter future.
At Foster the Mind, we believe in the transformative power of the human mind and are committed to nurturing its potential for healing, growth, and resilience. Join us on our journey towards a world where every individual can thrive.
Executive Team
Mikael Stanton
President of the Board
Mike Stanton is a Sales Professional with over 15 years of experience in the manufacturing and service industries. Mike also served as a counselor for MHMR – Tarrant Youth Recovery Campus providing inpatient and outpatient treatment to adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.
Mike has been married to his wife Ashlea for 18 years and is the father to four children. He is actively involved in his church serving in various leadership positions. He is excited and honored to be part of Foster the Mind.
Mike graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and is currently employed as the Midwest and Canadian Area Sales Manager for WAM Inc.
Rachel Basham
Marketing / Secretary of the Board MBA, BBA Marketing
Rachel Basham is a marketing professional with 16 years of experience. While she’s worked in many industries, her favorite is being in the nonprofit world. Doing for others, spreading joy, and making the world a better place is her passion, and she is excited to make a difference by being a part of Foster the Mind.
She is actively involved in the PTA at her children’s elementary school. She wants to be involved with Foster the Mind because she believes in all children and giving them every opportunity to be successful.
She graduated from the University of North Texas with a BBA in Marketing and later completed her MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is currently in marketing at Plummer in Fort Worth, Texas.
Dr. Carolyn Self
Treasurer of the Board Licensed Professional Counselor Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Carolyn started her career by working with at-risk children in a high-crime area, earning a nomination for the Outstanding Young Educator Award in Dallas. Later, as a Child Development Specialist, she initiated a program for children and mothers to collaborate on school work, fostering progress despite academic challenges.
Following her time at North Texas State University, where she pursued her doctoral degree, Carolyn co-founded the Center for Career Choice (CCC) and conducted research on anxiety, phobic avoidance, and depression treatment. She then transitioned to a private counseling practice, focusing on mental health issues, and designed and directed residential programs for anxiety and depression treatment. She currently works at the Anxiety, Mood, and Phobia Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Our Specialists
Bryan Butler
Chief Passion Officer
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
Board Certified Neurofeedback Supervisor
Prepare and Enrich Relationship Facilitator
As the founder of Foster the Mind, Bryan has been practicing since 2011 and is dedicated full-time to his role as the Chief Passion Officer, working tirelessly to expand the reach of brain-based therapies for abused and neglected children.
Helping the abused, neglected and foster care population has been a lifelong passion for Bryan. His early experiences with abused children were with youth groups. After college, his role as a Behavioral Therapist working with emotionally disturbed children increased his awareness of the long term mental health problems that arise from abuse.
He completed his undergraduate degree in Theology / Psychology from Hardin – Simmons University and his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Hallie Bagwell
Licensed Professional Counseling Associate
Board Certified Neurofeedback Technician
Hallie graduated from Mississippi College with a degree in chemistry in 1995 and worked in business development in the chemical industry before becoming a full-time parent.
In her role as a parent, she saw the benefits of neurofeedback and trained in the field in 2018. In 2023, Hallie graduated from West Texas A&M with a master’s degree in counseling, and she is excited and encouraged by the benefits of the combination of counseling with neuromodulation.
Josh Holland
BCIA Board Certified Neurofeedback Technician
Joshua Holland got an early start working with youth in 2012 with the Changing Course Foundation on high ropes courses. He instructed in safety and interacting with children and young adults in a positive and meaningful way.
Josh has worked as a job coach for visually impaired students. He also has extensive experience with the foster care system in Texas and has worked with at-risk youth.
After attending Sul Ross State University and earning 50 hours, he is currently continuing his education in neuroscience.