Check Out Ashley Charbonneau’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Charbonneau.

Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started out my career working with individuals who commit sexually-based offenses, an area of the mental health field that I found because of happenstance when I was in college. I never thought I’d make this my area of expertise, leaving the field (and considering leaving the field) several times since 2013. After working on the other side of the same coin for several years – providing trauma therapy to survivors of sexual abuse – I came to understand the importance of professionals working with both survivors and offenders needing to collaborate to tackle sex abuse, which is a system-level issue and a public health concern.
For many therapists, seeing clients change, grow, learn, and establish new patterns is very rewarding. Being part of a client’s healing journey is an honor and reaffirms for many of us why we do this work. I understand why most people elect not to work with sex offenders, but it can be very rewarding to watch clients accept responsibility, interrupt cycles of abuse, and prevent future victims. It may seem odd to conceptualize this work as prevention – because there is already a victim (unfortunately) – but I am passionate about preventing future victims and contributing to a safer, just world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No! It definitely has not been smooth. It is heartbreaking to know that I only make a small, small dent in the large problem that is sexual abuse. On the good days, I feel the wins and have hope that what I do matters and has a ripple effect. On the bad days, I sit in the doom and gloom so many of us feel because of widespread violence. While rare, it’s devastating when an offender client commits a new crime. It can also be challenging to want so desperately for a survivor client to get what they need in order to heal.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Addiction Counselor, and Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) evaluator and treatment provider. I specialize in working with legal-involved adolescents and adults who have been charged with or convicted of a sex offense. I conduct evaluations (which are often court-ordered) to determine risk to reoffend, I provide therapy to both survivors and offenders, and I supervise social workers on the path to licensure in Colorado.

As an evaluator, I am known for and proud of reports that cite research and literature, which helps stakeholders make determinations about sentencing and helps readers understand how research and theory are applied into therapeutic practice.

As a therapist, I am most proud of survivors that empower themselves to heal. Because of my work with offenders, I am uniquely positioned to answer the question so many survivors ask: Why me?

Because there have been ups and downs in my career, I have lived experience of career-related trauma. I have written a book on how to heal from career-altering events, and I am proud to help other mental health professionals find their confidence following such an event.

In general, perhaps what I am most proud of is helping others – students, clients, supervisees, colleagues – reach their goals. My officemate recently called me an “empire builder.” She elaborated, “You build up things just to do it, not because you have an ulterior motive. It’s what makes you a good teacher… You want to build up the empire so it will live on, not for your own ambition. That’s super special.” I want to build people up so they can be the healthiest version of themselves. I believe everyone deserves to be happy and healthy, whatever that looks like for them, and I love to be behind the scenes as a cheerleader, therapist, friend, or supervisor.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I understand reading about a therapist working with sex offenders can lead to assumptions, judgment, and even anger. Yet, we live in a world where Law and Order: SVU continues after 25 years, and so many of us are fascinated by sex crimes. I have been angry – at myself for helping those who harm others, at the system for not doing more to prevent sexual assault, at those who don’t hold themselves or others accountable. But, I am also curious and want to solve the problem of sexual abuse – on both an individual and societal level. That is why I do this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ensopllc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-charbonneau-lcsw-2b074b34/