Charlay Yates
LMHC, LPC, MT-BC
Welcome!
Thank you for coming to my website! I am a Master's level Mental Health Counselor licensed in Massachusetts and Virginia and a board-certified Music Therapist servicing people of color. I strive to help those who need support as they navigate life.
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Born in Maryland, I moved to Massachusetts for a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and Music Therapy. As I continue on my journey of connecting to my identity, I hope to support others in their journeys. I recognize the challenges of beginning a new therapeutic relationship and hope to provide services that allow my clients to work collaboratively to achieve their goals. I am passionate about the privilege I have to work with various clients. If you are interested in my services, please click below.
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I strive to bring a decolonized and liberated perspective to therapy. All expressions of identity are welcome here. My goal is to create healing spaces by dismantling oppressive systems and providing culturally affirming psychotherapy, music therapy, and supervision services.
Blackness and all forms of self-expression are celebrated here.
About Me.
I am a cisgender, heterosexual black woman descendant of people from Africa who were enslaved. Due to colonization, I am in the process of learning how to reclaim wisdom from my ancestors and elders while experiencing the disconnection that comes from living in and with the oppression of white supremacy and pervasive anti-Blackness. I attended predominantly white institutions and returned home to a poor but loving family that found liberation through music, food, community, and laughter.
Education
2013-2015
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling & Expressive Therapies: Music Therapy
Lesley University
2009-2013
Bachelor of Arts in Music, clarinet concentration; Psychology minor
Susquehanna University
Supervision
Music Therapy Supervisor
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Lesley University Cambridge, MA 2017-pres.
Berklee College of Music Boston, MA 2017-pres.
Teaching
Visiting Faculty: Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Clinical Musicianship 2023-pres.
Theories of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (GEXTH 6416) 2022-pres.
Psychopathology and Clinical Practice (GEXTH 6415) 2021-pres.
Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling (GEXTH 6417) 2020-pres.
Clinical Skills and Applications: Music Therapy (GEXTH 5119) 2018-pres.
Music Therapy as Trauma-Informed Practice: Supervision 1 (GEXTH 7704) 2018-pres.
Course Mentor in support of curriculum design
Assessment and Testing in Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Skills and Supervision
Visiting lecturer: Keene University, Keene, New Hampshire 2018
Licenses/ Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Virginia # 0701012857. Sept. 2023
Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMHC) Massachusetts # 12485 Aug. 2021
Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) National # 12025 June 2015