Thomas

Charmaine is an intern at Skylight Counseling Center and is working toward a second Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through National Louis University. She presently holds a Master’s of Education degree in Early Childhood Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology of Human Development with licensure to teach in the state of Illinois. While completing her undergraduate studies, she discovered an interest in psychology that quickly evolved as a love of the science.

Over the course of the past 24 years, Charmaine has worked in helping roles that include mentorship, professional development counseling, teaching, parent support, and higher education instruction. The childhood trauma she endured was a compulsory mechanism in her motivation to ensure no child was ever looked over because their wounds and trauma were not visible. Additionally, this was inspiration to be a representation that we do not have to live in our traumas and with the right support, the effects of those negative experiences can be overcome.

With her foundation and background in education, Charmaine believes that every person has the capacity to be their best selves. Her theoretic philosophy is a person-centered humanistic approach. A phrase believed to be coined by Aristotle, people are “more than the sum of their parts” defines her belief that no matter what we have been through, there is always opportunity to come out better on the other side of it.

While Charmaine gravitates toward a specific approach, as a clinician she understands that there is not a one size fits all method when working with clients. Her belief that people are multidimensional, guides her practice and approach in helping each person in a differentiated fashion, focusing on their individual needs. Building a trusting relationship is foundational to a successful counseling relationship.