Charley Joyce, Mentor

Charley serves as a mentor for Together Counseling providers, having previously worked with them in his role as founder of Abound Counseling.

Charley served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, then returned home to gently and compassionately counsel vulnerable children, traumatized by past neglect or abuse. His military training has made him a man of discipline and organization, yet he structured Abound so therapists could operate as independent contractors and without a lot of fussy bureaucracy. He has a lively sense of humor, a likable demeanor and a ready grin, yet he admits to possessing a bulldog’s persistence when defending a principle or pursuing a goal.

All of these traits have served Charley well in a diverse, 45-year-career that has encompassed being clinical director of a psychiatric facility, outpatient therapist, supervisor of outpatient therapists, foster-care caseworker, clinical director of foster-care services and owner of his private practice. Charley also served a year in VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America).

He has written several online courses through FosterParentCollege.com, taught college courses and presented trainings on many child-welfare topics. In the Spring of 2020, he and Dr. Rick Delaney released the second edition of a well-regarded book, Behavior with a Purpose: Thoughtful Solutions to Common Problems of Adoptive, Foster and Kinship Youth, which has become an important resource for foster parents, child-welfare professionals, mental-health providers and academics alike.

Although retired and no longer seeing clients, Charley leaves a lasting legacy. Together Counseling honors him through the roots of our organization. We are thankful for his friendship and advocacy.