Monique Foster, PhD
Dr. Monique Foster, PhD, is a dual-licensed psychotherapist, life coach, consultant, and motivational speaker with nearly three decades of experience across K–12 school counseling, higher education, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice, and employee assistance programs. As the founder of MCF Counseling and Consulting, she provides care to clients ages 3 to 75 using an eclectic and integrative therapeutic approach. Her areas of expertise include anxiety/OCD, depression, trauma, stress, substance abuse, relationships, eating disorders, disability evaluations (leave-of-absence assessments), and guiding individuals through significant life transitions. Dr. Foster has expanded her influence beyond the therapy room through media and public engagement. She previously hosted the talk show Quest2Purpose and is preparing to launch her new podcast, All Minds Clear, in January 2026.
In addition to her clinical and media work, Dr. Foster has an extensive academic and consulting background. She has served as a professor and faculty counselor at institutions including the University of Phoenix and Dallas County Community College, where she supported diverse adult learners. Her consulting expertise spans organizational development, communication strategies, and training managers to hire and collaborate effectively with individuals with disabilities. Dr. Foster holds a PhD in Organizational Self-Design with an emphasis in industrial psychology from Walden University, as well as a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Rooted in strong family values and shaped by personal experiences, Dr. Foster attributes much of her academic and professional drive to her daughter—who survived a stroke at birth—and to the early guidance of her pastor grandfather. Her mission is to empower others to rediscover their purpose through affirmation, authenticity, and healing.
Currently, Dr. Foster is expanding her global impact by working with international clients and preparing to relaunch The Mary Institute, a college for homeless women with a long-term vision of establishing dorm-style locations nationwide for mothers and children. She recently launched a Behavioral and Mental Health Consortium Professional Group to promote collaboration and professional development within the field. Beyond formal accolades, she measures success by the transformed lives and heartfelt testimonials of those she has touched through her work.
• LPC
• Walden University - Ph.D.
• The Mary Institute
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success and longevity to a deep compassion for others, the strong spiritual and emotional foundation instilled in me by my grandparents, and the motivation I found in supporting my daughter through significant medical challenges from birth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to remain rooted in my calling to help others, even when the work is emotionally demanding—advice that has sustained me through decades of service in schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practice.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering my industry to dream boldly, stay true to themselves, and trust their inner voice—believing that vulnerability, consistency, and self-confidence are powerful tools for both healing and leadership.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see tremendous opportunity in expanding global access to mental health services, particularly through online platforms, and believe our field must address rising trauma, burnout, and stress by providing more accessible, culturally responsive, and holistic support systems.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me in both my work and personal life are authenticity, healing, service, faith, and helping individuals rediscover their purpose—principles I reinforce in my clients by encouraging them to affirm themselves and embrace possibility.