Her Story
About Charlene
Charlene Mayer Ryder is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in New York State with more than two decades of experience in the behavioral and mental health field. Based in Buffalo, New York, she currently serves as a Counselor with Envision Wellness WNY, bringing a compassionate, family-centered approach to her work. Since entering the field in 2000, Charlene has supported individuals and families through a range of community mental health and counseling settings.
Charlene’s professional experience spans several areas of behavioral health and family support. Her career has included job coaching, working as an ABA therapist with children on the autism spectrum, parenting coaching, supervising family visits through the Department of Social Services, providing in-home parent coaching and supervision, and working within outpatient mental health agencies. She has also served as a senior counselor and clinical supervisor, allowing her to combine direct client care with clinical leadership and mentorship.
Education has been a consistent and meaningful part of Charlene’s journey. She studied at Erie Community College before earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and later completing a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling at San Francisco State University in 2000. A lifelong learner, Charlene says she would happily remain a professional student if given the opportunity. She credits her family with providing a strong sense of grounding and values honesty, kindness, vulnerability, bravery, flexibility, optimism, creativity, patience, and empathy. As she continues her professional journey, Charlene hopes to explore private practice opportunities with colleagues, develop services that support individuals and families, and continue giving back to her community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Charlene
01What do you attribute your success to?
My family made me who I am through the good, the bad, and the ugly. They provided a strong sense of grounding. No matter where my education or career has taken me, New York has always felt like home because my family is here.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my first supervisors helped me with difficulty challenging people and confrontation. She helped me establish boundaries, confronted me about my vulnerabilities. It was a difficult process but I still think about her 26 years later.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be assertive and maintain boundaries. Know what your triggers are and work through them on your own or with your support system. Be firm with your boundaries.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Compensation and limited financial resources are huge challenges in community mental health, along with funding cuts. Opportunities include exploring private practice and group work with colleagues to develop services for individuals and families, and giving back.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, kindness, awareness, vulnerability, bravery, flexibility, optimism, creativity, patience, and empathy guide how I interact with others.
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