Charnell Neptune-Darby, MA, LPMHC

Founder & CEO | Clinical Mental Health Professional | Trauma-Informed Leadership Consultant

Charnell Neptune-Darby is the Founder and CEO of C. Neptune Darby Consulting Services Inc., a mission-driven firm committed to empowering human service organizations through trauma-informed leadership development, staff development trainings, and shelter operations consulting. With a deep understanding of systems, staff needs, and client care, Charnell helps organizations build compassionate, sustainable, and resilient service models.

Charnell currently serves as the Senior Director of Domestic Violence Residential Programs at Urban Resource Institute (URI)—the largest domestic violence agency in the nation—where she oversees five New York City emergency shelters totaling over 500 beds. Her leadership ensures operational excellence, clinical integrity, and supportive environments for both staff and survivors.

With over a decade of experience in mental health and human services, Charnell’s clinical background includes intergenerational trauma, intimate partner and gender-based violence, complex trauma in children and families, anxiety, and depression. She also brings extensive experience in child welfare, staff training, and organizational development.

Charnell’s work is rooted in the belief that trauma-informed care begins with leadership—and that you don’t need to be a clinician to lead with compassion and clarity. Her approach blends insight, strategy, and heart to help organizations center healing in every layer of their work. She proudly serves as Co-Chair of the NYC Best Practice Committee, where she helps shape the standards that guide domestic violence programming across the city.

Charnell holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Monroe College of New Rochelle. She previously held certification as a Clinical Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional and is currently working toward her permanent licensure to practice clinical therapy in New York State.