I believe therapy is collaboration between myself and my clients. I do not have a ‘one size fits all' approach. A successful counsellor needs a wide range of skills. I utilize a variety of modalities that fit the client’s needs. As a social worker my focus is to improve the health and well-being of individuals, groups, families and the community. I begin with a deeply held belief in the rights and dignity of all human beings. I work with clients to assess, resolve, prevent or lessen the impact of biological, psychological, social and mental health related issues. Recognizing that our past is part of our present helps us understand how our earliest relationships shape our behaviours and perspectives. Therapy teaches us how to use this awareness to avoid repeating unhealthy patterns in our lives and relationships. I believe that those patterns are not fixed; that we can adjust, expand and modify through therapeutic intervention and discussion.
Charles DiGaudio
Highly skilled in active listening and needs response, with an innate ability to assess and service the needs of the client and staff, allowing each person to feel extraordinary.
A resourceful, unconventional problem-solver, forecasting staff and client behaviour and recognizing who and what is in need of the most immediate attention.
Able to evaluate and propose creative alternatives to clients’ perceived needs when those desires are not feasible.
A highly skilled negotiator, team leader and employee relations manager, with a particular skill as a liaison between staff, volunteers and board members.
Skillful at assembling a devoted and effective team by utilizing diverse talents, strategically placing staff and subsequently providing strong team support.
MSW degree, with over 15 years clinical experience.
Experienced, confident public speaker and educator.
An accomplished communicator, proficient in oral, written, and on-line computer consultation documentation.
A few of my past experiences:
As a mental health counselor, I administered comprehensive counseling services and behaviour analysis to clients (individuals and groups) in areas including brain trauma, suicide intervention, stress, drug and alcohol abuse, physical, sexual and emotional abuse/neglect, depression, eating disorders, and sexuality. I identified professional services required, including psychiatric, medical, legal and academic.
I have developed and maintained highly effective relationships with social service representatives, drug court judges and probation officers.
As an adjunct professor in the departments of Sociology, Education and Counseling at Medaille College in Buffalo, I educated adults and adolescents in areas of psychology, sociology, education, health and human services in classroom, workplace, home and prison environments.
As an adjunct professor in the Health and Human Services Department at Genesee Community College, I taught numerous courses on human relations and development.