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Pouneh Azadi, LMFT
Pouneh Azadi, licensed marriage family therapist, is a cis-gendered, heterosexual woman of color from Iran and immigrated to the United States in 1996. As the Chief Clinical Officer, she oversees the clinical department and the trauma recovery center at Restorative Pathways. Her specialty is working with trauma through the attachment lens while offering a trauma-sensitive care approach for both clients and staff. Pouneh has been in the field of mental health since 2011 and held various leadership positions since 2019. Pouneh has held a private practice since 2022 and her personal journey, along with her professional training, have enhanced her understanding of various life transitions such as living in a war zone countries, political revolutions, immigration, and the evolving process of self-awareness.
Sophora Acheson, LMFT
Sophora Acheson, LMFT, is the Executive Director of Restorative Pathways and has over 15 years of experience in trauma treatment, program development, and leadership within domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault services. As both a licensed clinician and a survivor, she developed the nationally recognized RAFT (Restorative Action for Family Transformation) program, integrating restorative justice and trauma-informed care for individuals who cause harm. Her expertise bridges clinical practice, organizational leadership, and systems change.
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Description:
The Relational Model is a well-received model in national and international conferences and is designed to strengthen workers’ support, well-being, and resilience within victim services organizations. This model is well-received and funded by federal funding in the US, as it holds a trauma-sensitive lens, enhances the overall well-being of staff, and supports clients with trauma-saturated histories. It offers a comprehensive approach centered on five interconnected components: Core Values and Philosophy, Relational Resiliency, Relational Dynamics, Reflective Approach, and Emerging Learning and Leadership. These elements work synergistically to foster an environment where both workers and clients feel valued, supported, and empowered.
Through our presentation, we will demonstrate how The Relational Model provides a structured yet flexible framework that supports the safety, recovery, and healing of GBV workers, enabling them to offer compassionate and effective care. This holistic model helps mitigate burnout, reduce secondary trauma, and improve staff retention, ultimately enhancing the quality of support provided to survivors of gender-based violence. Through its relational focus, this model enhances connections between staff, strengthens organizational capacity, and implements an innovative and systematic change within its community.
At its core, The Relational Model prioritizes a commitment to a shared philosophy of connection, emphasizing safety, empathy, and trust as foundational values. Relational Resiliency is an innovative approach that re-frames conflict resolution and focuses on connection instead of separation. It is cultivated through practices that encourage personal and professional boundaries, self-awareness, and coping mechanisms, all crucial for sustaining well-being in emotionally demanding work. Relational Dynamics addresses the interpersonal interactions within teams and between staff and clients, promoting healthy, equitable, and empowering relationships that uphold the dignity and autonomy of all individuals involved.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
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