Say helllloooo to Ashlyn Hodges, a Trauma Therapist at Youth Focus and all-around fantastic person! If you’re not familiar with trauma-based therapy, let us enlighten you about this wonderful approach to working with youth.
According to Northwestern University, trauma-focused therapy is a specific approach to therapy that recognizes and emphasizes understanding how the traumatic experience impacts a child’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. This type of therapy is rooted in understanding the connection between trauma and the child’s emotional and behavioral responses. The purpose of trauma-focused therapy is to offer skills and strategies to assist the child in better understanding, coping with, processing emotions and memories tied to traumatic experiences, with the end goal of enabling the child to create a healthier and more adaptive meaning of the experience that took place in his/her life.
Let’s learn more about Ashlyn!
1. What is your favorite memory from Youth Focus?
My favorite memory from work would have to be the staff holiday celebrations! ♪♪ It’s the most wonderful time of the year♪♪, after all!
2. What is one thing you wish the general public knew about Youth Focus?
Youth Focus is an organization that goes above and beyond to help youth and families in need and makes a positive impact on the entire community.
3. Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
My coworkers and supervisors have all influenced me in how I approach my work and clients. I am so thankful to be apart of an organization that believes in teamwork! My work family has been nothing but supportive and 100% like family!
4. What led you to Youth Focus and working with young adults?
I have always felt led to help people in need. Some of my fondest memories growing up are when my family and I would take blankets to the homeless, Christmas presents to the orphanages, and give out care packages to individuals on the side of the road. It has been an honor to be able to enter into a career where I am able to impact the lives of others and be impacted by their resiliency.
5. What are three words to describe Youth Focus?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just three words but if I had to choose I would describe Youth Focus as helpful, compassionate, and dependable.
6. What advice would you give to your teenage self?
I would tell my younger self that it is okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to admit if you don’t know everything. Life is a journey. We live, and we learn, so it’s okay to ask for help and it’s important to remember that even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
7. If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring?
If I was stuck on an island and would bring a hammock, matches, and a satellite phone that could have service anywhere around the world!
8. What’s your most-used emoji?
My most used emoji would definitely be the laughing emoji 😂! Anyone who knows me knows that I spend the majority of my time laughing and picking around! I believe that laughter is music to the soul!
