My Story

I am an Autistic Licensed Mental Health Counselor who supports neurodivergent teens and adults, and the journey that led me here started when I was very young.

As a kid, I really wanted to blend in, but never figured out how to do so. At the start of every school year, I had new hopes to just fit in, and then well, I couldn’t. My laugh, the way I spoke, the way I interpreted situations all were different. Even though I did find people who appreciated me, I struggled to feel a sense of belonging.  As an adult, I learned that I am autistic, and everything made sense.  (I am also an ADHDer.)

With this insight, I began to embrace my own ways of being and to focus on building my unique qualities into strengths. In parallel to my counseling, I spend my days deep diving into neurodivergence. My quest is to understand how my clients and I can live our best lives in a world, as author Jenera Nerenburg writes, “not designed for you.” In brief, my special interest is learning about the diversity of the human experience and all the unique ways we can be.

Training & Experience

I have a Masters degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida. Below are trainings that have most deeply impacted my work as a counselor:

Internal Family Systems (IFS):

• Level 2, comprehensive IFS training program, with Osnat Arbel (IFS Institute)
• Level 1, comprehensive IFS training program, with Einat Bronstein (IFS Institute)
• Healing Complex Trauma with Trauma-Informed IFS (Colleen West)
• Stepping Stone, comprehensive IFS training program, with Derek Scott (IFS Canada)
• Advanced Weekend, Deepening Your Core IFS Practice, with Derek Scott (IFS Canada)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy 4-Day Bootcamp, with Dr. Steven Hayes and Dr. Kelly Wilson
• ACT Immersion, with Dr. Steven Hayes

Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: 

• How to Treat OCD with I-CBT, with Catherine Goldhouse

Mindfulness and Meditation:

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), with Dr. Mo Edjlali (Mindful Leader)

Neurodiversity:

• Autism Neurodiversity Training, with Dr. Joel Schwartz
• Autism Level Up, with Dr. Amy Laurent and Dr. Jacquelyn Fede
• AutPlay Therapy Training, with Dr. Robert Jason Grant
• Working with Autistic Clients, with Dr. Nick Walker
• Demystifying the Autism Spectrum and Autistic People, with Matt Lowry
• PDA Training Program: Level 1, with PDA North America

Autism Assessment:

• Migdas 2, with Dr. Marilyn J. Monteiro
• ADOS 2, with Dr. Catherine Rice

My related work experiences include the following:

• Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation:  I worked with more than 100 neurodivergent teens and adults to help them transition from high school to college and/or from school to work.
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor for Focus Academy: I supported the entire student population, many of whom were also autistic and had ADHD. I provided individual counseling for students and worked closely with their families.

Counseling Fee & Location

My hourly rate is $200 per 50-minute session.  I counsel both online and in our Tampa office.

License

I am licensed as a mental health counselor in Florida. My license number is MH18278.

Schedule A Consultation With Charnell

Charnell offers free 20-minute consultation calls.  Call her to schedule at (813) 553-7910 or email her at [email protected].