I'm Dr. Charles—trauma expert, neuropsychologist, and neurodiversity advocate. This blog is a space where clinical insight meets real-world relevance. Whether you're navigating anxiety, healing from complex trauma, or just trying to better understand how your brain works, you're in the right place.
Here, I translate cutting-edge psychological research into accessible, practical strategies that support emotional healing, mental clarity, and lasting change. Each post is grounded in evidence-based theory, shaped by years of clinical experience with children, teens, adults, and older adults alike.
You won’t find fluff here. Just thoughtful, well-informed reflections and tools designed to help you move forward—one check-in at a time.
Welcome.
Dr. David Charles, PhD (he/him) is a trauma expert, neuropsychologist, and YouTube channel host based in Chicago, Illinois. Clinically, Dr. Charles conducts comprehensive neuropsychological assessments—evaluating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning—to inform tailored intervention plans for conditions such as ADHD, ASD, learning differences, mild traumatic brain injury, dementia, and more. Drawing on evidence-based approaches, Dr. Charles also practices therapy. He has decades of experience integrating various evidence-based modalities, with a focus on treating trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders. His focus remains on fostering resilience and adaptive functioning. Committed to translating clinical expertise into accessible resources, Dr. Charles also created the YouTube channel “Check-Ins with Dr. Charles” and his blog, drcharlesphd.com, to help people declutter their minds—offering practical insights on trauma recovery, managing neurodiversity, emotional regulation strategies, and tips for navigating the complexities of modern life. Through public outreach and collaborative partnerships, he aims to bridge the gap between research and real-world application, empowering individuals, families, and communities to thrive.
Dr. Charles completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS), completed his internship at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, and his postdoctoral training at Thomson Memory & Attention in the Chicagoland area as well as Graven & Associates in Louisville, Kentucky. He completed a Master of Sciences in Clinical Psychology from RFUMS, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Morehead State University.