The Art of Being a Therapist

 Ashley Charbonneau & Morgen Villegas

This podcast is for therapists, helping professionals, and anyone curious about the human experience in the therapy room. We'll explore the realities of clinical work, professional growth, self-reflection, and the art of showing up authentically for others. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a student, or simply passionate about mental health, we can't wait to share these conversations with you. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, consultation, medical advice, or other professional services. We are not your therapists, supervisors or consultants and listening to this podcast does not establish a therapeutic, supervisory, or consultative relationship. Always use your own professional judgment and seek appropriate support for your specific clinical or personal needs.

  1. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    Coffee with Ashley C. & Morgen V. (Oct. 16, 2026)

    Hosts Ashley and Morgen share weekly highs and lows, discuss the weight of the current political climate, break down how to be an informed Colorado voter (ballots, propositions, judges), and close with their "thumbs up / thumbs down / middle finger" segment on the mental health field. Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    Coffee with Ashley C. & Morgen V. (Oct. 16, 2026)
  2. 6d ago

    Hope and Hardship in the Therapy Field

    Allison started Benediction Counseling while five months pregnant, lost her mom weeks later, and somehow kept going. She talks with Morgen and Ashley about the messy reality of building a practice, raising kids, mentoring new therapists, and why the business side of this work keeps getting harder. Guest Bio: Allison founded Benediction Counseling in 2014 and now serves as the Clinical Director as well as continuing work as a therapist. Allison earned a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences) degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2005, and received her Master's of Arts in Counseling from Denver Seminary in 2010. ​Allison is passionate about mentoring and serving as a supervisor for early-career therapists. She has a strong belief that the community at large is stronger and healthier when therapists befriend and support each other. She loves to train and empower therapists to serve clients with knowledge, sensitivity, cultural awareness and a strong ethical conviction. The other hats Allison wears are wife, adoptive mother, biological mother, daughter, sister and friend. She enjoys a good long walk, quiet music, a good cup of coffee, and slowing down with a good book of poetry. Guest Contact Info: Website: www.benedictioncounseling.com Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    Hope and Hardship in the Therapy Field
  3. Oct 9 ·  Bonus

    Coffee with Ashley C. and Morgen V. (October 9, 2026)

    Therapists Ashley and Morgen introduce a new weekly format: an informal "coffee chat" where they check in with personal and professional highs, lows, likes, dislikes, and a "middle finger" moment in the mental health field.   Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    Coffee with Ashley C. and Morgen V. (October 9, 2026)
  4. Oct 8

    The Parts That Know: A Conversation About IFS, Trauma, and Community

    Morgen and Ashley talk with Crystal Hines, LPC, an EMDR and IFS therapist and trainer, about her path from foster care in Florida to building a Colorado group practice supporting other therapists through therapy, groups and consultation. Crystal shares her experiences with harmful mental health and school systems and how her own EMDR and IFS therapy changed the way she understands herself and works with clients. Crystal addresses what it means to do your own work as a therapist with honesty and humor. Guest Bio: Crystal Hines is a recognized thought leader who actively contributes to the advancement of mental health practice through her presentations, published resources, and educational workshops. She is trained at the highest levels in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), holding credentials as an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant and an IFSI Approved Clinical Consultant. Crystal’s style as a healer is rooted in intuitive wisdom informed by her own lived experience. She is open about being a complex trauma survivor with an ACE score of 10, and she embraces the value of being a client herself. She believes that each person is the expert of their own life and healing journey and is passionate about empowering others to tap into their inner knowing. Guest Contact Info: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hines-lpc-emdr Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/align_therapy_and_consultation/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligntherapyandconsultation Website: www.aligntherapyandconsultation.com Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    The Parts That Know: A Conversation About IFS, Trauma, and Community
  5. Oct 5

    When 50 Minutes Isn't Enough: The Art of Therapy Intensives

    Guest Alli Christie Disney, LPC, is a trauma therapist specializing in therapy intensives. She joins Ashley and Morgen to talk about what intensives are and shares about how multi-hour sessions have the potential to heal trauma faster than weekly therapy. Guest Bio: Alli Christie Disney, LPC, is a trauma therapist specializing in therapy intensives for high-achieving women who are ready for deep, lasting change.  With more than 18 years of clinical training and extensive experience in EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing (SE), Alli helps clients get to the root of long-standing patterns, anxiety, self-doubt, and unresolved trauma, without spending years in traditional weekly therapy.  Her unique intensive approach is designed to create meaningful breakthroughs in days rather than months, helping women cultivate unshakable self-trust, release the weight of the past, and move forward with greater confidence, freedom, and purpose.  To contact Alli directly, her website is: www.allichristiecounseling.com Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    When 50 Minutes Isn't Enough: The Art of Therapy Intensives
  6. Sep 28

    Building a Therapy Practice That Reflects Who You Are

    Morgen and Ashley talk with Anna, a trauma and relationship therapist working with neurodivergent women and couples. Anna shares her path from corporate finance to private practice and how she built a business that actually fits her life. They talk marketing, self-disclosure, client fit, specialization vs. expertise, and knowing when therapy isn’t working. Guest Bio: Anna Khandrueva is a trauma and relationship therapist based in Broomfield, CO. She works with late-diagnosed neurodivergent women and couples navigating the beautiful complexity of neurodivergent partnership. Anna has a master’s degree in social work from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and a certificate in marriage and family therapy from Denver Family Institute. She uses EMDR, parts work, and mindfulness practices to help her clients change and grow. Anna also loves to help other therapists with marketing and search engine optimization. Outside of work, you can find her knitting, watching horror movies, and exploring local restaurants and food trucks. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couragetohealtherapy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/couragetohealtherapy Website: https://www.couragetohealtherapy.com/ Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    Building a Therapy Practice That Reflects Who You Are
  7. Sep 24

    Emotion-Focused Therapy and Attachment

    Morgen and Ashley talk with Maury, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) specializing in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Maury shares how she went from a bored high school student to crisis work, a graduate program disrupted by COVID, and eventually a private practice focused on couples. It’s an honest conversation about relationships, the realities of the therapy field, and what happens when the support is not there. Guest Contact info: Website: https://thrivefamilyservices.com/meet-maury-holliman/ Guest bio: Maury Holliman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Emotion-Focused Therapy and is certified in Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy. She is also an EFT Supervisor Candidate who provides supervision to LMFT and LPC candidates, as well as EFT and relational consultation. Maury is passionate about systemic thinking and believes therapy should explore the whole person, including their identities, relationships, and personal history. She also serves as the Peer Support Leader within her group practice, where she creates opportunities for connection and helps build a more inclusive and diverse culture. Host bios: Ashley Charbonneau, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, evaluator, clinical supervisor, consultant, and educator. Her clinical expertise centers on working with individuals impacted by the legal system, grounded in a commitment to offender accountability, survivor healing, and restorative justice. Ashley has developed multiple 45-hour training programs on clinical supervision and is the author of The Resilient Therapist (Bloomsbury, 2026) and Supporting Clients of Sexual Trauma: Establishing Safety, Processing Shame, and Fostering Healthy Intimacy (PESI, 2026). She provides training nationally on restorative justice, addiction, clinical supervision, working with individuals who have committed sexual offenses, professional boundaries in therapy, and mandatory reporting. To contact Ashley directly, her website is: https://www.ensopllc.com/ Morgen Villegas, LCSW, LAC, ACS, is a therapist, writer, consultant, and an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant. Through her practice, Vida Idílica Therapy & Consulting, she specializes in helping women heal from trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the lasting effects of overfunctioning and caregiving. Using a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel more authentic, spacious, and connected. Morgen also provides consultation to EMDR therapists seeking greater confidence and nuance in working with complex trauma. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about helping people move beyond "faking fine" and toward lasting healing. She is the author of Shadows to Light, a collection of stories and reflections on emotional neglect, motherhood, and breaking intergenerational cycles. Morgen lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, rescue dog Raven, and an ever-growing stack of library books waiting to be read. To contact Morgen directly, her website is: vida-idilica.com

    Emotion-Focused Therapy and Attachment
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

This podcast is for therapists, helping professionals, and anyone curious about the human experience in the therapy room. We'll explore the realities of clinical work, professional growth, self-reflection, and the art of showing up authentically for others. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a student, or simply passionate about mental health, we can't wait to share these conversations with you. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, consultation, medical advice, or other professional services. We are not your therapists, supervisors or consultants and listening to this podcast does not establish a therapeutic, supervisory, or consultative relationship. Always use your own professional judgment and seek appropriate support for your specific clinical or personal needs.

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