Meet Billie Foley

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Billie Foley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Billie, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I’ve always been aware that mental illness exists and that it can have a lasting impact on a person’s growth and development. My awareness came not just from witnessing loved ones struggle but from my own experiences as well. Life isn’t always fair, and some challenges aren’t easily overcome. But I was also surrounded by strong, independent women—especially my mother and five sisters, who have always been my best friends. They taught me resilience through action, by showing up for each other and those around us.
From them, I learned that resilience is not about avoiding hardship but about how you respond to it. They faced challenges but continued to support one another, lead by example, and emphasize the power of forgiveness, kindness, and hard work. Their influence shaped how I approach life, relationships, and my own personal growth.
Beyond that, my experiences with mental health—both my own and that of those I love—deepened my understanding of resilience. Therapy and medication have been invaluable tools in my journey, not just in helping me care for others but in teaching me how to care for myself. I’ve learned that strength isn’t about never struggling; it’s about continuing to move forward, even when it’s hard. I believe there is significance not only in how we treat others but also in how we respond to the way people treat us.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of The Brain Bliss Psychiatry, a private outpatient mental health practice in Old Town, Lansing. My work is centered around helping people understand and take control of their mental health through thoughtful, compassionate, and evidence-based care. What excites me most is the one-on-one connection with patients—helping them feel heard, understood, and empowered in their treatment.

I started my career as a registered nurse, driven by my natural inclination to care for others. Over time, I realized that my impact could be even greater in psychiatric care, so I returned to school to earn my master’s degree in nursing, specializing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. My time as a bedside nurse was invaluable—it helped me develop a strong therapeutic presence and the ability to remain calm and supportive, even in difficult situations.

Opening The Brain Bliss was a huge leap of faith. Private practice is a different world, and while I love the autonomy, it also means that I am the one making the decisions in the moment with my patients. I never considered quitting—I love what I do too much—but I had to learn quickly that running a practice isn’t just about patient care. There’s so much more than just the scheduled visit—patients have follow-up questions, treatment plans require careful thought, and changes can’t always be made through a quick email. My responsibility is to ensure that every decision is made safely, with the patient’s full understanding and participation, which takes time.

Moving forward, I want The Brain Bliss to be known for quality psychiatric care and an exceptional patient experience. I also want to mentor other nurse practitioners, helping them find their role in serving the community. I have been nurtured and supported by so many wonderful clinicians who have shaped me into the provider I am today. I am grateful for others’ generosity with their time, knowledge, and wisdom—I wholeheartedly believe that sharing experiences provides depth and compassion to the work we do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Bravery
Taking risks, even when the outcome is uncertain, has been the key to my success. Whether it was going back to school, opening my own practice, or making tough decisions, I had to trust myself enough to take the leap.
Advice: If you’re unsure about something, take the first step anyway. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You learn by doing—and you can always adjust along the way.
Curiosity & Lifelong Learning
I’ve never been afraid to ask questions, admit when I don’t know something, and seek out those who have more experience than me. Learning is a continuous process, and staying open to new knowledge has allowed me to navigate challenges and improve my practice.
Advice: Talk to people, ask questions, and absorb as much knowledge as you can. Seek out mentors, read, and stay curious. The more you learn, the more confident you’ll become.
Perseverance
Challenges are inevitable, but success comes from continuing to move forward, even when things feel impossible. Balancing work, school, motherhood, and personal struggles wasn’t easy, but pushing through, step by step, is what got me here.
Advice: Practice letting go. Don’t let negative people, places, and things take up space in your life. Prioritize what serves you and dismiss what brings you down. When you feel overwhelmed, don’t focus on how far you have to go—just take the next step. Focus on progress, not perfection.
At the end of the day, I hope my journey inspires others to believe that it’s never too late to create the life you want. No matter your background, your obstacles, or your fears—bravery, curiosity, and resilience can take you further than you ever imagined.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Success is never a solo journey, and I am incredibly grateful for the people who have supported, taught, and believed in me along the way.
My education was shaped by individuals who saw potential in me and helped me develop the skills I needed to be successful. My high school physiology teacher sparked my interest in science and the human body, which eventually led me to a career in nursing. My professors and clinical instructors throughout nursing school and later during my master’s program provided guidance, knowledge, and encouragement, helping me grow both academically and professionally.
On a personal level, my own mental health journey has been possible because of the care and expertise of Steve Cotrell, LMSW, ACSW; Sharon Stetz, MSN, RN, PMH-NP; and Dr. Vita McCabe, MD. Their support has been invaluable in allowing me to continue growing, healing, and becoming a better provider for my own patients.
In my professional career, I owe so much to those who have planted seeds, guided me, and patiently worked alongside me. Angie Stathopoulos, MSN, RN, PMH-NP, believed in me from the beginning and gave me the idea to start a private practice. She has been a mentor, a colleague, and a friend, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her encouragement and guidance. Dr. Carl Kinzel, DO, my supervising physician, plays an essential role in my practice, and I’m grateful for his support and collaboration. Matthew Ryan Clouse has also been instrumental in creating a supportive and uplifting environment for my patients and me by providing a space for The Brain Bliss to thrive. Tami Chapman, my medical assistant, is an invaluable part of my team, ensuring that our patients feel cared for and supported at every step of their journey. Emily Clevenger, my social media manager, has helped shape our online presence, allowing The Brain Bliss to reach and connect with more people who need mental health support. Their dedication and hard work make all the difference in the success of the practice.
Lastly, the person who has been my partner in both life and business—my husband and best friend, Colin Foley. Your support, business expertise, and marketing knowledge are an integral part of The Brain Bliss’s success. I’m deeply thankful for the sacrifices you make, the ways you challenge and encourage me, and your willingness to build this dream together.
I couldn’t have done this alone, and I am forever grateful for each of these people who have helped shape my journey.

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