Nathalie Johnston is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.
Upon completion of her education, Nathalie worked at Tampa Bay Academy as a therapist in the Deaf Program providing mental health services for deaf/hard of hearing youth in the psychiatric residential treatment program. In addition to providing direct services to clients, Nathalie has lectured on a variety of topics related to Deaf Mental Health, including the importance of using properly trained and certified interpreters with training in mental health interpreting.
Nathalie has also been an advocate for deaf individuals to be proactive consumers when it comes to working with interpreters. Just as one would be an educated and proactive consumer when shopping for goods and services, Deaf individuals need to advocate for themselves in working with an interpreter who best fits their specific communication style. Nathalie emphasizes that the Deaf should not just “accept” an interpreter assigned to them, but should instead insist on working with an interpreter who best represents the individual as a whole, taking into account their communication and linguistic styles. Deaf individuals should insist on an interpreter committed to ongoing education to enhance their level of skill to meet the unique qualities of the individual for whom they provide services. Ultimately, the fit between Deaf consumer and interpreter should be snug like a shoe, so that the Deaf individual conveys him/herself accurately to the hearing world.
In addition to mental health and advocacy work, Nathalie also leads an entrepreneur life operating a family business, which sells artistic house ware products to retail boutiques all over the world. In order for her business to be successful, she depends heavily on VRS interpreters. She has found the need to advocate for herself on several occasions in order to work with interpreters who best convey her message to her buyers clearly and accurately. Her success as a Deaf businesswoman often depends on having a well-educated and skilled interpreter.
On a personal level, Nathalie is a bohemian, laid back mom with the love of her life and her two fun-loving children along with their sweet German Shepherd dog, Ziva. They live in Austin, Texas (June, 2014). When Nathalie has time for herself, she buries her head into jewelry making and dreams of opening an online and boutique shop in Austin, Texas.