Dashmire Charles, LAPC

Dashmire is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor with over nine years of experience serving individuals from diverse backgrounds across the mental health field. She is passionate about creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, seen, valued, and respected. Dashmire welcomes clients exactly as they are and is open to working with individuals of all genders as they navigate concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, self-esteem, identity, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. She also has a passion for supporting women throughout the perinatal and postpartum journey, as well as children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults. Her experience includes working with individuals navigating domestic violence, sexual assault, men’s mental health, immigration, and other experiences that may impact overall well-being and a person’s sense of self. Dashmire also enjoys working with couples who are committed to their relationship, open to being vulnerable and honest, and willing to work toward meaningful change. In couples therapy, she takes a neutral and balanced stance, recognizing the couple as her client rather than choosing one partner’s side. She is there to support both individuals by listening to and validating each partner’s feelings, perspectives, and experiences while creating space for both voices to be heard. She strives to ensure that neither partner feels left out, dismissed, unheard, or overlooked. Her goal is to help couples better understand one another, improve communication, recognize relationship patterns, strengthen their connection, and work through challenges in a way that supports both partners and the relationship as a whole.

Dashmire’s approach is rooted in client-centered therapy, allowing her to meet clients where they are while tailoring treatment to their unique experiences, strengths, goals, and needs. She values authenticity, empathy, and genuine connection and believes that each person is the expert in their own life. Rather than telling clients what they should do, she views herself as a supportive guide who walks alongside them throughout their journey. Dashmire often reminds clients that they are the driver of their own story, while she serves as a compassionate passenger helping them explore their experiences, recognize their strengths, gain insight, and discover solutions that align with their values and goals. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to provide individualized, evidence-based care. Dashmire understands that healing is not one-size-fits-all and believes every individual and couple deserves care that honors their identity, culture, lived experiences, and personal goals.

Dashmire earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She has completed Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Web2.0, SYMBIS Assessment Facilitator, and has received extensive training in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy. She completed her undergraduate internship in clinical counseling, where she gained experience working with individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges. Throughout her career, she has served as a mental health worker, psychiatric rehabilitation worker, behavioral health technician, and counselor advocate empowering victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These experiences have deepened her passion for helping individual heals, rediscover their strengths, and build meaningful lives. Her hope is that everyone walks away feeling empowered, supported, and equipped with the tools they need to navigate life challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Outside of the therapy room, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, self-care and traveling.