Hi everyone! My name is Roxanne Charboneau and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Professional in the State of Florida. I am happy to say, I returned to the Tampa Bay Area recently after living in Jacksonville, Florida for the last five years.

I started my collegiate career at St. Petersburg College when it was still SPJC. After raising a family, I returned and completed the Addictions Certificate as well as my Associate in Arts. From there, I attended the University of South Florida and received my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences with a concentration on Psychology and Criminology. I received my Masters in Psychology and Counseling from Troy University.

For the last five years I worked in an acute psychiatric facility that is a Baker Act receiving facility as a Therapist. I always thought I wanted to stay in the field of addictions, however after seeing the pain of individuals suffering from depression, psychotic disorders and anxiety disorders my life changed forever. Also, I had the opportunity to work with hundreds of men and women that serve our country in the military. This is a highlight of my career. 1 in 5 Americans suffer from a mental health disorder. 1 in 10 Americans suffer from a substance misuse disorder. Most individuals are not treated or undertreated.

Prior to my work in Jacksonville, I worked at Operation PAR as a Counselor and then Clinical Supervisor in the Medication Assisted Treatment Program. Opiate abuse is at an all-time high, and overdose rates are rising exponentially.

Now that I am back in the Tampa Bay area, I will be working as a therapist at Winmoor Hospital in the outpatient program. My belief system in education is twofold.

My mother, a school teacher for many years, said no one can take away your education. So, I encourage my students to devour it and love it. Secondly, pass your knowledge along. Whether it is by voting; playing trivia; or sharing what you learned with friends, family or children share your knowledge. Knowledge is power.

I am happily married to another SPC professor who works in the Human Services Department. Our conversations about mental health and addictions are passionate and challenging. We walked across the stage together at USF and Troy University. Those are some of my best memories. We have five adult children and four beautiful granddaughters (and one unknown sex on the way). In my spare time, I love to read everything, play at the pool and beach and spend time with my dogs. Murray the beagle and Lily the dachshund are the new kids in our house. In addition, I love to travel anywhere and anytime. Kona, Hawaii, where I married my husband, Jay Charboneau, is to date my favorite place in the world.