Angel Ray Counseling

About Me

My passion is to encourage self-understanding, self-compassion, and empowerment by walking with you in exploring unexpected life changes.

I quickly lost my sight the year I turned 11. I had been having trouble with seeing since five years old, and specialist could not find the problem. Adults noticed that I would lean close to my coloring books and scoot really close to the TV during these younger years. Throughout elementary school, I struggled to see the board and read print materials. Towards the end of fifth grade lost the ability to move around safely.

As an adult who identifies as being totally blind, I am very happy with my life and the accomplishments I’ve gained despite challenges. The journey of integrating disability into my life has taught, and still teaches me resiliency and determination, and drives me to be a better person. This journey continues… I am doing it, many people are doing it, and you can too.

Who I Am

I identify as a white, sex positive, cis woman. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband who is a cis man and my two wonderful adult children. I am a strong ally to black, indigenous, and other people of color especially those with disabilities, and LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people.

In my personal life I enjoy a variety of activities:

• Hiking

• Tandem biking

• Local art museums and galleries

• Gardening

• Reading

• Ceramics - hand building

• Music: jazz, acoustic, international, R&B, rock, etc.

I frequently volunteer with the City of Portland’s bureau of Civic Life and the Office of Equity and Human Rights. I also work with the Portland Art Museum to promote equity and elevate the voices of the disabled community.

What I Do As A Professional

• I have a private therapy practice.

• I work for the local community college providing accommodation support for students with disabilities.

• Digital accessibility contracting for documents and websites.

As a part of my private business I provide services as a consultant to companies as a Website Accessibility Analyst. I have been hired by several large publishers, local corporations, and companies on the usability and accessibility of their business websites. 

Education

I earned my undergraduate degree in sociology/psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. At that time I was also employed at independent living center for blind and visually impaired individuals at Affiliated Blind of Louisiana.

Following my education I established a massage therapy practice on the Oregon coast that lasted for many years. I then attended Portland State University where I received my Masters in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. During graduate school I trained as a mental health counselor in the PSU community clinic. I simultaneously trained as a Disability Services counselor at Portland Community College, where I still work in addition to my private practice as a Oregon licensed professional counselor.