Blog

Restorative Justice in Therapy: What It Is and How It Supports Trauma Healing By Ashley Charbonneau What is restorative justice? Restorative justice is a framework that seeks to address harm caused by wrongdoing. It is concerned with the harm caused, not necessarily the specifics of the traumatic event, forgiveness, or reconciliation. This approach allows usRead more

The Effect of Trauma Work on Clinicians in Washington By Ashley Charbonneau For clinicians in Washington, when we talk about trauma work we tend to focus on clients: their stories, their healing, and their resilience. But there’s another layer that deserves just as much attention. The impact this work has on us as clinicians. ThisRead more

Trauma-Informed Care and What It Means By Ashley Charbonneau Trauma-informed care is often talked about, a common phrase used in clinical settings, but not many of us are taught how to actually implement it. At its core, trauma-informed care means understanding that many people carry trauma histories and intentionally shaping our interactions, systems, and interventionsRead more

Countertransference and Emotional Regulation for Therapists By Ashley Charbonneau As therapists, you are trained to attune to the emotional worlds and inner processes of your clients. But, you are humans, too, meaning it is natural and expected that you will have thoughts, feelings, sensations, and even impulses as a result of your work with clients.Read more

What Good Trauma-Informed Supervision Really Looks Like By Ashley Charbonneau Most of you as clinicians have heard the term “trauma-informed,” which often refers to the understanding that many clients have experienced some form of trauma and that care, including therapy, should be delivered in ways that promote safety, choice, and empowerment. This concept has beenRead more

What New Therapists Really Need in Their First Year By Ashley Charbonneau Your first year as a therapist often involves a steep and rapid learning curve. You’re trying to navigate a new environment and all that comes along with work in the mental health field, translate theory into practice, hold clients’ pain, navigate systems noRead more

Supporting Clients When Holiday Traditions Bring Up Trauma By Ashley Charbonneau A lot of us think or hope the holidays will be peaceful and filled with connection and joy. For many clients, though, holidays bring up past traumatic experiences. Family gatherings, religious services, cultural rituals, and even office parties can reactivate histories of abuse, neglect,Read more

Unlocking Your Clinical Blind Spots Through Peer Consultation By Ashley Charbonneau Therapists can spend a lot of time and energy supporting clients through complex challenges. Clinical consultation can be a vital component of ethical and sustainable clinical practice, whether you are in an agency setting or in private practice. Consultation can help take your practiceRead more

What Graduate School Didn’t Teach You About Being a Therapist By Ashley Charbonneau Stepping into a therapy role following your graduate program can bring up a lot of feelings-from excitement to anxiety. Perhaps you feel like an imposter, wondering if you really belong in your therapist chair. Or maybe you are unsure how to transitionRead more

Clinical Documentation and Audit Prep: What Every Therapist Should Know By Ashley Charbonneau In the mental health field, clinical documentation is often the least favorite part of our jobs. However, what if you thought of this as more than just a requirement and more so as a critical component of client care? A well-documented recordRead more