Meet Chazz
(he, him, his)
Charles Avena is a Deaf Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with over 30 years of combined experience in mental health, addiction recovery, advocacy, and leadership within state and community systems. He has served in multiple clinical and administrative roles at the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, where he developed and directed Deaf and hard of hearing programs and led efforts to ensure culturally and linguistically accessible care.
At My Deaf Therapy, Charles provides ASL-fluent, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented psychotherapy, integrating cognitive-behavioral, dialectical-behavioral, and wellness-based approaches. His clinical style is compassionate and direct, supporting clients in strengthening boundaries, managing anxiety, and sustaining emotional and relational balance. He is committed to creating a Deaf-centered, linguistically accessible, and culturally affirming therapeutic environment.
EXPERIENCE
Charles has over 30 years of experience in mental health and addiction recovery, including leadership roles with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). He has specialized in developing and directing programs for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and has provided consultation on ADA compliance, accessibility, and interpreter training.
SPECIALTIES
Anxiety • Trauma • Addiction Recovery • Interpersonal Effectiveness • Deaf and Disability Advocacy • Cultural Competence • Health System Navigation
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Social Work, University of Connecticut (UConn), West Hartford, CT
Bachelor of Science, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, NY
Selected Certifications & Advanced Training:
- Mental Health Certification, UConn School of Social Work
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy
- Advanced Directives, Connecticut Legal Rights Project
- Disaster Behavioral Health Responder
- Legislative Leadership Training
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Deaf Interpreter Training (RDI, College of the Holy Cross)
- Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Knowledge Exam Completion (University of Rochester)
PUBLICATIONS
Charles has authored and contributed to publications focused on Deaf mental health, accessibility, and advocacy, including:
- Preservation of Mental Health Services for Deaf People in an Integrated Health Care (2016), National Association of the Deaf
- Culturalogical Assessment: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (2014), Connecticut DMHAS
- An Analysis of Section 8(a)(5) of the National Labor Relations Act (1985), RIT Press
- The Employment Directory for College Students (1980), Queens College Press
