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
Amber Hudgins - Assistant Program Director of Staffing at Havenwood Academy
In this episode, we sit down with Amber Hudgins, Assistant Program Director of Staffing at Havenwood Academy, to talk about what truly makes trauma-informed care work.
Amber shares her journey into behavioral health, what drew her to Havenwood, and why training, compassion, and understanding the “why” behind trauma are critical to creating world-class treatment. From powerful moments on the floor with students to the unseen ways she supports staff behind the scenes, Amber offers a deeply human look at what healing really looks like - for clients and caregivers.
This conversation is an honest reflection on growth, resilience, and the belief that even when the work is hard, it can also be incredibly meaningful.
00:00 – Introductions
Host: Let’s start by introducing yourself. What is your name, role, and what inspired you to join Havenwood?
Amber Hudgins: My name is Amber Hudgins. I’m the Assistant Program Director over staffing. I was inspired to join Havenwood because I always knew I wanted to help people. I originally thought I’d work in substance abuse treatment, but once I got my foot in the door here, I fell in love with what Havenwood stands for and the work we do.
00:26 – Getting into Trauma Treatment
Host: What caused you to get into trauma treatment, and what keeps you here?
Amber: I don’t think I realized I was getting into trauma treatment at first. I wanted to work in addiction recovery, but once I started at Havenwood, I fell in love with the kids, the way we do things, and learning how trauma affects the brain — not just for clients, but for staff too. I learn something new every day, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
01:08 – A Day in the Life at Havenwood
Host: What does a Havenwood day-in-the-life look like for you?
Amber: A big part of my day is creating and developing staff training. When I see patterns in incident reports or hear uncertainty from staff, I build training around that. I spend a lot of time researching better ways to train, and in the afternoons I’m on the floor with staff and kids, helping wherever I can.
02:03 – World-Class Trauma Treatment
Host: What does world-class trauma treatment look like in your role?
Amber: It starts with staff. Helping them understand why we do what we do changes everything. When staff understand the why, empathy, compassion, and tolerance follow — and that’s what creates world-class care.
02:46 – A Moment That Defined Havenwood
Host: Can you share a moment that made you think, “This is why Havenwood is different”?
Amber: We had a guest who struggled with extreme self-harm. During a very intense moment that required physical intervention, we were able to release the hold and simply be there for her. That compassion after the crisis — that’s something I hadn’t seen elsewhere. It showed me Havenwood treats the trauma behind the behavior, not just the behavior itself.
04:46 – The Work No One Sees
Host: What’s something intentional you do behind the scenes that outsiders might never see?
Amber: I check in on staff — especially after hard days or incident reports. Even just stopping by to say hi matters. Line staff have incredibly hard jobs, and being seen and supported makes a huge difference.
06:27 – Lessons About Healing
Host: What has this experience taught you about healing?
Amber: Everything we teach clients, we learn ourselves. Trauma education has helped me become calmer, more reflective, and more compassionate. Understanding my own trauma has changed how I see people and situations.
07:42 – Applying Trauma Awareness to Everyday Life
Host: Has this changed how you approach relationships outside of work?
Amber: Absolutely. Even with my daughter, I’ve learned to approach situations with curiosity instead of judgment. Asking “Help me understand” instead of reacting has made a huge difference.
09:11 – Advice for Those Entering This Work
Host: What should someone know before stepping into this field?
Amber: It’s hard. It will break your heart some days. You’ll see and hear things you never expected. But it’s also incredibly beautiful. If you’re prepared for the hard, the good becomes even more meaningful.
10:26 – Resetting on Tough Days
Host: What helps you reset on tough days?
Amber: Music. Rock concerts are my self-care. Music has always been a constant for me, and it’s how I reset, process emotions, and even start my mornings with my family.
12:10 – Closing Message
Host: What message do you have for staff, students, or families at Havenwood?
Amber: It gets better. It might not look how you expected, but it does get better — and sometimes it gets really beautiful. Doing the work, especially the uncomfortable work, is how you get there.
