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

Ordained Minister – Christian Global Outreach Ministries

Cornell University Certified Americans with Disabilities Act Instructor 

Certified Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse – Alison

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

Interactive Metronome Certified 

Licensed Master Life Coach — Elite Coach Seminary 

Licensed Life Coach — Elite Coach Seminary 

Licensed Weight Loss Coach — Elite Coach Seminary 

Nonprofit Ready Certified – Nonprofit Essentials

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

Courting Reiki Certified — HealCreateThrive, Boulder, CO 

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

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

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

Certified Autism Specialist (former) – Autism Society of America

United Nations Nova Award

National Presidential Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award – President Joseph Biden

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

National Presidential Humanitarian Gold Achievement Award – President Joseph Biden

National Presidential Humanitarian Gold  Medal of Honor – President Joseph Biden

Top 100 Registry 2025 Mental Health Professional of the Year

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 Proclamations — Shāna Boutté Williams Day, May 20, 2000 and August 3, 2001 

American Counseling Association Member

Autism Society of America Member

Firefly Autism Internal Review Board

Colorado Goth Society Lead Mental Health Professional/Administrator

Goat Walkabouts Board Member

Bettie Bubbles Board Member

Gilpin County Arts Association Member