ABOUT SHĀNA

Ambassador Shāna Boutté, MA, IMC, MLC, defied every limitation others placed on her. Diagnosed with 12 neurological and learning disabilities by age 24—and autism at 26—she was told she would never finish high school, never attend college, and was repeatedly denied entry into graduate psychology programs solely because she is autistic.

 

After 14 years of rejections, Shāna earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a 3.9 GPA, was selected as a graduation speaker, and went on to become an award-winning mental health professional, international advocate, and United Nations Ambassador.

 

With more than 20 years of experience, she is now a leading voice in disability rights, mindfulness-based mental health, and trauma-informed support. Shāna is a Cornell University Certified ADA Instructor, former Certified Autism Specialist, licensed Master Life Coach, trauma-trained practitioner, and Reiki Master. She has earned multiple national humanitarian awards and international humanitarian awards through the United Nations. 

 

Once excluded from academia for being autistic, Shāna now trains universities, government leaders, medical teams, first responders, and global organizations on disability inclusion, neurodiversity, and human rights—proving that successful lived experience and extensive education is expertise.

 

Her mission is not just to educate, but to redefine what’s possible for people with disabilities everywhere through direct contact.

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CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS

MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology — Naropa University

BA, Humanities and Human Sciences — University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, Texas

United Nations Ambassador of Humanity -- ECOSOC

United Nations Ambassador of Peace

United Nations Nova Award 

Presidential Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award -- President Joseph Biden 

National Presidential Humanitarian Lifetime Medal of Honor -- President Joseph Biden 

National Presidential Humanitarian Gold Award -- President Joseph Biden 

National Presidential Humanitarian Gold Medal of Honor -- President Joseph Biden 

Top 100 Registry Mental Health Professional of 2025

Top 100 Registry 2025

Marquis Who's Who Publications Board 2024

Americorps National Humanitarian Gold Award 

University President’s Award for Community Service -- Southwest Texas State University

City of Houston Proclamation -- May 20, 2000

City of Houston Proclamation -- August 3, 2001 

Cornell University Certified Americans with Disabilities Act Instructor 

Certified Autism Specialist (former) — Autism Society of America

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Facilitator Training — Noeticus Couseling and Training Center, Denver, CO

Licensed Life Coach — Elite Coach Seminary

Master Life Coach — Elite Coach Seminary

Licensed Weight Loss Coach — Elite Coach Seminary

Reiki Level 1 Through Master Level 2 Certified — HealCreateThrive, Boulder, CO

Courting Reiki Certified — HealCreateThrive, Boulder, CO

Trauma-Informed Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (TIAVY) trained -- Jen Peters, Denver, CO

Protecting Human Research Participants — National Institute of Health Office of Extramural Research

Interactive Metronome Certified Certified

Media, Film, High Fashion Make Up Artist – Award Studios, Los Angeles, CA

American Counseling Association -- Member

Autism Society of America -- Member

Betty Bubbles -- Board Member

Colorado Goat Walkabouts -- Boardmember

Colorado Goth Society --Administrator/Lead Mental Health Professional