The Power of Language: Exploring Our Written Clinical Words

with Melissa Santoro, LICSW

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This session will explore the power of language as it pertains to the clinical documentation of our treatment and support for the clients we serve. Participants will explore the potential impacts of our written word choices and increase their knowledge regarding the core concepts of trauma informed care and language. In an effort to reduce risk & liability, an overview of “do’s & don’t’s” for clinical documentation is provided. This workshop would benefit service providers and therapists working with children, teens, adults, and families.

Presenters: Melissa Santoro, LICSW
Presentation Date: April 21, 2026

Learning objectives:

  • Describe the core concepts of trauma-informed practice.
  • Articulate key matters of language choice in clinical documentation.
  • Identify three concrete ways to change word choices in clinical documentation to utilize trauma informed language.