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Clark County Clark County Recognizes May 2025 as Therapeutic Court Month

On May 6, District Court Judge Bartlett received a proclamation from Clark County Council Members, formally designating May 2025 as Therapeutic Court Month. This recognition underscores the county’s dedication to restorative justice and the profound impact of therapeutic courts. By observing Therapeutic Court Month, Clark County reinforces its commitment to a justice system that fosters healing, emphasizing rehabilitation, reunification, and lasting recovery.

Click here to watch as Judge Bartlett accepts the proclamation that was signed by all Council members of Clark County declaring May 2025 as Therapeutic Court Month.

In addition, the following letter was written in the Columbian (Vancouver, WA) by Joe Barsana, providing personal testimony, which directly correlated with Clark’s recent proclamation (as well as others in the state of Washington, and across the US), as May 2025 is recognized as National Therapeutic Court Month. Read here to see Joe’s letter published by the Columbian on May 14, 2025.

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Letter to the Editor: Therapeutic Courts Provide Lifeline

Read or Listen here.

By Joseph Barsana

Published: May 14, 2025, 6:00am

May is more than spring blooms and holiday gatherings. It’s also National Therapeutic Court Month, a time to honor a part of our justice system that offers something urgently needed: second chances rooted in compassion, accountability and recovery. Amid today’s fentanyl crisis, this approach has never been more critical.

I speak from lived experience. I’m a proud graduate of the King County Drug Diversion Court, and it saved my life.

Therapeutic courts go beyond punishment to address the root causes of crime, including addiction, mental illness, trauma and systemic inequities. They offer evidence-based treatment, medications for opioid-use disorder, housing and job support, and, most of all, human connection.

On Oct. 29, 2018, I woke up on a jail floor drenched in sweat from withdrawal. I’d been arrested over 20 times in three years. But that day, I didn’t need punishment — I needed help.

Therapeutic court gave me a path to recovery. I completed long-term treatment, found employment and had my felony charge dismissed. Today, I work for the very court that helped save me.

Therapeutic courts don’t just change lives — they save them. I’m living proof.