Today we’d like to introduce you to Charis Gaston
Hi Charis , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Good Karma Community is the culmination of my lifelong passion for helping others—a calling that has shaped both my personal and professional journey. Growing up, I was deeply inspired by my mother, a compassionate and selfless woman who always extended kindness to those in need, even as a single parent. Later, with the loving support of my stepfather, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community and the profound impact that love and generosity can have on shaping lives.
I’ve always been driven by a deep sense of purpose and compassion. As a competitive softball player, I developed a strong work ethic, determination, and a spirit of teamwork—qualities that naturally carried over into my professional life. My journey into social work began with a diverse array of roles, including food service, caregiving, respite care, campus housing, and even backstage and seating roles in theater. While attending college, I initially pursued a business degree but soon realized my passion lay elsewhere. Helping others felt far more fulfilling than navigating the corporate world. This realization led me to psychology, and eventually, to social work—a field where I could channel my empathy and skills to empower individuals.
After graduating in 2009, I began my career as a direct support professional, working with adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. For nearly five years, I supported individuals in developing independent living skills, volunteering in their communities, and achieving personal goals. This work was transformative, providing me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by this population and highlighting a significant gap between mental health care and services for individuals with disabilities.
One experience, in particular, left a lasting impact. I worked with a client who had cerebral palsy and mild intellectual disabilities. For years, her mental health struggles were dismissed because professionals focused solely on her physical condition. After nearly two years of advocating, I connected her with a psychiatrist who started her on depression medication, resulting in a remarkable improvement in her mood and behavior. This pivotal moment inspired me to pursue graduate school, with the goal of bridging the gap in mental health care for individuals with disabilities.
With a master’s degree in hand, I worked at a 200-bed residential facility supporting individuals with severe mental illness. Over time, I broadened my expertise by working with diverse and underserved populations, including neurodivergent adults, the homeless, and the elderly. My career spans 15 years in the mental health field, including a decade of clinical experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Currently, I provide therapy for adults with mental health challenges, facilitate wellness workshops, and teach independent living skills. I am also pursuing certification as a doula, expanding my work into women’s wellness and pregnancy support—reflecting my commitment to a holistic approach to care.
While my professional journey has shaped my career, my spiritual journey began later in life. In 2012, I survived a traumatic car accident that left me with PTSD symptoms. During my recovery, I was introduced to Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), a method developed by Dr. Steven R. Vazquez that uses color and light to heal emotional and physical pain. This experience ignited my fascination with alternative therapies, particularly the healing power of color.
Over the years, I deepened my spiritual practices, exploring crystals, chakras, energy work, astrology, and more. I began to see how these tools had always been part of my life, from collecting rocks and shells as a child to finding comfort in the night sky. In 2022, I merged my professional expertise with my spiritual passions to create Good Karma Community—a space dedicated to holistic healing and empowerment.
At Good Karma Community, our mission is to promote healing and positivity by addressing the whole person. We believe in meeting individuals where they are in life, considering all aspects of their identity, and tailoring their journey toward growth and well-being.
By blending traditional therapeutic techniques with holistic approaches, Good Karma Community fosters empowerment, joy, and healing.
Moving Forward
Good Karma Community represents the culmination of everything I’ve learned and experienced—from my professional background in mental health to my spiritual journey of self-discovery. My vision is to create a space where individuals feel supported, understood, and empowered to heal in ways that resonate with their unique needs.
This is more than a business—it’s my life’s work and my way of giving back to the community. Through Good Karma Community, I hope to help people embrace their strengths, heal holistically, and create their own paths to fulfillment and joy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the most challenging moments in my journey was not being selected for an internship during the final year of my program. This setback meant I had to extend my studies by an additional year, which was incredibly disheartening. Watching my peers graduate while I stayed behind left me feeling discouraged and questioning my abilities.
However, this experience forced me to take a step back and reflect on how I could improve. I realized I needed to better prepare—conducting more thorough research on potential internship sites, refining my professional presentation, and practicing for interviews. With this renewed focus, I returned the following year determined to succeed. Not only was I offered two internship positions of my choice, but I also became the first intern to be hired directly after completing the program.
What felt like a failure at first turned into a lesson in perseverance and growth. By putting in the extra effort and trusting the process, I proved to myself that setbacks don’t define the outcome. I share this story to remind others that everyone’s journey looks different, and that’s okay. While I didn’t graduate alongside my peers, I ultimately earned my license and built my own business. This experience cemented my belief in the mantra, “there’s always another way.” No matter how unconventional or delayed your path may seem, it’s possible to reach your goals with persistence and determination.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known for my ability to create safe, empowering spaces where people feel truly seen and supported. My clients value my warmth, empathy, and dedication to helping them heal and thrive. One of my achievements I am most proud of is getting my license as marriage and family therapist and founding Good Karma Community. Good Karma Community allows me to integrate my professional expertise with my spiritual journey, offering a unique and comprehensive approach to wellness that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. What sets me apart is my ability to connect traditional therapeutic methods with alternative and spiritual practices. I approach each client holistically, considering all aspects of their identity and meeting them exactly where they are in life. What truly sets me apart is my belief in the mantra, “There’s always another way.” I encourage my clients to embrace their unique journeys and remind them that success isn’t linear. I take pride in helping people find hope, strength, and empowerment, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. My ultimate goal is to foster healing, joy, and growth, allowing individuals to live authentically and thrive.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My upbringing was a bit unique because, for most of my childhood, I grew up as an only child. My brother wasn’t born until I was 12, so by the time he was old enough to remember much, I was already off to college. In many ways, we grew up as “only children,” just in different phases of life.
From the age of 7, softball became a huge part of my life. I was always talkative, outgoing, and loved spending time with others. At the same time, I also cherished playing alone, whether I was painting, drawing, coloring, crafting, or simply exploring my curiosity. I’ve always been fascinated by nature, animals, and science, and I had an insatiable need to understand how things worked. I’d often take things apart to see what was inside, though I’ll admit my attempts to put them back together didn’t always work out!
I loved collecting rocks, building forts, and doing just about anything outside. I was curious, imaginative, and full of energy. According to my mom, I was also a bit hard-headed, preferring to learn lessons the hard way—which, looking back, probably fueled my independent streak.
No matter what I was doing, one thing remained constant: I was always smiling, laughing, and bringing a loud, positive energy to everything around me.
Pricing:
- Full spectrum doula services start at $1495
- customized crystal care packs $20 and up depending on needs
- Staff wellness retreats sliding scale $500-$3000 depending on needs
- Color psychology workshops $40 in person, $25 virtual
- Sounds baths $30 general, $150 private depending on needs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goodkarmacommunity.com
- Instagram: good.karma.community
- Facebook: goodkarmacommunityGKC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charis-gaston-61bb3953
Image Credits
Tia Esther – Tia Esther Creative
