We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Mcfarland a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment in my professional journey was the decision to reengage with clinical work and focus on trauma. My career had always been centered around high-risk populations—children and teens with histories of abuse or neglect—but this path was anything but linear.

Following graduate school, I began working as a therapist at a detention center. It was challenging, emotionally draining, and profoundly important work. Each day brought me face-to-face with the resilience of youth navigating unimaginable hardships. But just a few months into this role, I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. The knowledge of how stress could impact my developing baby shifted everything. I had to make the difficult decision to leave the position, prioritizing my growing family over a job that, while meaningful, demanded more emotional bandwidth than I could give at that time.

I continued working in child welfare, but I consciously stepped away from therapy. The emotional weight of clinical work seemed incompatible with the stability I wanted as a parent. For years, I thought I had closed that chapter of my career, choosing roles I believed were more manageable for my mental well-being.

Fast forward five years, and an unexpected opportunity to return to clinical practice presented itself. I hesitated, unsure how it might affect me emotionally and mentally. But I decided to take a chance—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of journeying alongside remarkable individuals as they navigate their personal trauma. Witnessing their courage and playing a role in their healing has been both humbling and inspiring. I’ve discovered a passion for integrating faith and mental health, helping clients use their faith alongside clinical interventions to find hope and healing. This work has been so impactful that I now train other clinicians to ethically and effectively bring faith into therapy, ensuring they stay within professional guidelines while empowering their clients.

Looking back, I could never have imagined that stepping back into clinical work would lead me here. But this journey has been more fulfilling than I ever dreamed, blending personal growth, professional development, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The best word anyone has ever used to describe me is effervescent. When I first heard it, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear—and then I realized, “I agree!” It’s a fitting description. Those who work with me in any capacity often comment on my upbeat and energetic presence.

As a trauma therapist, I focus on creating a sense of safety for my clients—a safe space where they can share the most painful parts of their lives. But for me, safety isn’t just about processing pain; it’s about rediscovering joy. Therapy can be a place for laughter, smiles, and the gradual reawakening of happiness. It’s not about staying in the shadows of our past but learning to step into the light again.

I came into this field for a reason that resonates with many therapists: I have my own pain, my own past, that I deeply wanted to heal from and understand. I once read the phrase, “most research is me-search,” and it struck a chord. My journey to understand trauma—how it impacts the brain and body—offered me profound insights into my own experiences. This understanding not only brought me healing but also fueled my passion to help others find the same transformation.

For every client I work with, my goal is to empower them with both knowledge and skills. I want them to understand why the tools we use in therapy work and to see themselves as active participants in their healing journey. Therapy isn’t just about addressing wounds; it’s about learning, growing, and building a life filled with hope and resilience.

Whether you’re seeking a therapist, a speaker, or a trainer, I bring warmth, knowledge, and a steadfast belief in the possibility of healing and joy. I believe in holding space for pain while leaving room for laughter, because life, even after trauma, can be beautiful.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely—100% yes. Being a social worker is one of the most rewarding roles I could imagine. There’s a saying often shared among social workers: “We’re in it for the outcome, not the income.” While there’s truth to that when you’re first starting out, I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. It’s possible to create meaningful impact while also building a sustainable and fulfilling career.

What I love most about social work is its diversity. Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats—working in direct practice, stepping into leadership roles, engaging in advocacy, and now focusing on clinical work. This field offers endless opportunities to grow and adapt while staying true to the core mission: helping others.

Social work has allowed me to make a difference in ways I never imagined, and for that, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

While in graduate school, I had the opportunity to take Brené Brown’s course, The Daring Way. It was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the power of vulnerability in the workplace. I learned that fostering an environment where people feel safe to show up authentically isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for building trust and cultivating strong, effective teams.

Another resource that profoundly influenced my thinking is Marc Brackett’s book, Permission to Feel. It highlights the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership and demonstrates how emotionally intelligent workplaces aren’t just more compassionate—they’re more successful.

Often, there’s a tendency to separate business from emotions, as though professionalism means leaving your feelings at the door. But the reality is that we are embodied beings, constantly experiencing emotions, whether we express them outwardly or not. Recognizing this and creating space for emotional intelligence in the workplace isn’t just humane—it benefits everyone, from individual employees to the organization’s bottom line.

These resources have profoundly shaped how I approach leadership, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, emotional awareness, and fostering a supportive environment for growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pineheartcenter.com
• Instagram: @ItsAshleySpeaks
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-mcfarland-lcsw-03302015/