Havenwood Academy Podcast
Hosted by Josh Gardner - CFO of Havenwood Academy - this show takes you behind the scenes of Havenwood Academy, a world-class residential treatment center in Cedar City, Utah.
Each episode shares real stories from our dedicated care providers - the people on the front lines helping young women heal from complex trauma, rebuild trust, and reclaim hope. You’ll hear the challenges, breakthroughs, and deeply human moments that make this work life-changing.
If you care about mental health, trauma-informed care, and the power of community, this is your inside look at how resilience is built and lives are transformed.
Havenwood Academy Podcast
Kymber Hudgins, Neurofeedback Technician at Havenwood Academy
In this episode, we sit down with Kymber Hudgins, Neurofeedback Technician at Havenwood Academy, to explore the powerful intersection of trauma-informed care, brain regulation, and genuine human connection.
Kymber shares her journey from Youth Mentor to Neurofeedback Technician, including the mindset shift that changed how she views trauma-impacted youth -not as “bad kids,” but as young people who are hurting, scared, and in need of safety and understanding. She walks us through what neurofeedback actually is, how it works in real time, and why creating a calming, relational environment can make all the difference in a student’s healing process.
From behind-the-scenes moments - like creating a salon space so students feel confident after EEG brain mapping - to honest reflections on the emotional weight and reward of this work, this conversation offers an authentic look at what makes Havenwood different.
This episode is for staff, families, students, and anyone interested in trauma-informed treatment, neurofeedback, or the heart behind healing work.
00:00 – What is your name or role and what inspired you to join Havenwood?
Kymber Hudgins introduces herself as a Neurofeedback Technician and shares how her sister’s experience led her to apply, starting her journey at Havenwood.
00:22 – What changed your mindset about working with trauma-impacted youth?
Kymber reflects on her early doubts and the pivotal shift from seeing behaviors as intentional harm to understanding them as trauma responses.
00:56 – What prompted that mindset shift—was it immediate or gradual?
She explains how building real relationships and learning about trauma over time naturally transformed her perspective.
01:23 – How does your role impact a student’s healing and sense of safety?
Kymber describes neurofeedback as a calming, spa-like experience that offers students a rare moment of peace and regulation.
02:00 – What does a day in the life at Havenwood look like, and what is neurofeedback?
She breaks down neurofeedback in simple terms, explaining how brainwaves are trained through real-time feedback while students watch shows.
03:15 – Are there different types of neurofeedback, and why this approach?
Kymber explains why this system works best for their students and why engagement matters in the healing process.
04:06 – What moment made you think, “This is why Havenwood is different”?
She shares feedback from students who consistently say Havenwood feels safer, more relational, and less like a boot camp.
04:40 – What is something intentional you do behind the scenes that people don’t see?
Kymber talks about creating a salon space for students after EEG brain mapping so they can leave feeling confident and cared for.
05:48 – What helps you reset on tough days?
She shares her personal reset ritual—blasting music on the drive home—and reflects on gratitude for her role.
06:55 – What is your favorite Havenwood tradition or inside joke?
Kymber explains the tradition of staff wearing a new student’s favorite color to help them feel welcomed before arrival.
07:36 – What should someone know before stepping into this work?
An honest look at the emotional challenges, hard days, and deep rewards of trauma-informed care.
08:02 – What is one surprising fact about you?
Kymber reveals she can play seven instruments, most of them self-taught.
09:05 – Do you have a message for staff, students, families, or viewers?
Her closing message centers on perseverance, healing not being linear, and hope through the process.
