M e e t A s h l e y
(she/her)
My Background
Counseling is my second career and something that I am extremely passionate about. I came into this work with an insatiable curiosity about what makes us who we are, a deep love of learning about people and behavior, and an ability to attune to the needs of others, promoting connection with those who have so often felt unseen. This can be attributed, in part, to childhood adversity, and in part to many years spent working with children and behavior, cultivating a compassionate knack for empowering neurodivergent kids struggling to fit into systems designed for the neurotypical. I discovered a passion for giving these kids the support I didn’t get as a child.
As a full-grown adult, and parent, unraveling the threads connecting my early life to my grown-up struggles sparked a deep thirst for knowledge and self-discovery. That journey led me first to therapy, then, ultimately to my pursuit of a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University Seattle.
My Orientation & Approach
By nature, I am a curious, compassionate, and open-minded person, and was drawn to this work by a desire to help others. As a multiculturally-oriented practitioner, I enjoy working with women, adults and teens from all walks of life who are experiencing a range of challenges, not the least of which may be a direct result of marginalization, discrimination, social injustice, and other forms of oppression. I work from a trauma-informed lens, an approach to healthcare grounded in the understanding that almost everyone has been impacted by some degree of trauma in their lives, which can impact an individual's neurological, biological, psychological and social development. Values that are important in trauma-informed care include safety (physical and emotional), trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
My approach provides warmth, presence, and validation in conversational style sessions. Much of my counseling orientation is rooted in the belief that people have innate wisdom and compassion that can be cultivated. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities to best suit the needs of each client, including attachment-based work, mindfulness practices, humanistic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and feminist therapy. I offer walk-and-talk sessions for those who want to incorporate movement as a therapeutic tool. Ask me about this option if it appeals to you.
If you would like to work with me, together, we will create a space to explore and process your experiences and develop insight, while ultimately promoting self-empowerment, inner healing, and a deeper understanding of your values and who you are. You are capable of cultivating self-love and a more genuine relationship with yourself.
I believe wholeheartedly in the power of therapy because it has played such an integral role in my own life, contributing fundamentally to my growth and wellbeing. How do we know what we don’t know, until we learn it? I am passionate about bringing that learning to others and helping people become the best version of themselves.
Credentials & Training
Group Facilitator Training, Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS).
Support Group Facilitator, Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS).
Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1), Gottman Institute.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 2), Gottman Institute.
Clinical Therapist Intern, Counseling & Resource Center, Edmonds College. Received training in case consultation and crisis care and intervention.
Neurodiversity in Higher Education Training, Edmonds College.
Clinical Therapist Extern, Counseling & Resource Center, Edmonds College. Recipient, Bravo Award for Extraordinary Service.
Deescalation Training, Edmonds College.
Licenses
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) MC 61590893
Affiliations
Member, Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, Omega Mu Gamma Chapter.
Washington Mental Health Counseling Association
American Counseling Association
Education
M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Antioch University, Seattle.
B.A., Art-Printmaking, Western Washington University.
A.A., General Studies, Whatcom Community College.