Hi y’all,
I’m Ashlyn!
My pronouns are she/they.
How I Do What I Do
How I work is relational and experiential. We may come up with practical solutions or we might practice new skills in sessions together. My work is holistic and I incorporate a mind-body-relationship-systems framework.
The way I show up with my clients is intuitive and grounded in relational neuroscience and evidence-based practices. I use emotionally focused therapy and somatic experiencing to gently guide my clients as they engage their minds, bodies, and souls to reclaim their inner and relational resources, strengths, and power. I work from a systemic lens and consider the societal and familial structures that impact my clients.
I show up as my whole, authentic self and often incorporate humor in my work. My clients can expect me to be approachable, down-to-earth, and relational. Yes, I have my training and expertise, but my clients will always be the experts of their lives and experiences. I know the power I hold as a therapist, and I strive to create relational empowerment in every moment working with my clients. I’m an imperfect human, and sometimes I mess up. I vow to attend to any ruptures created in the therapeutic relationship, apologize, and make repairs when I get it wrong. And I’ll show you grace when you get it wrong too.
" Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion. "
— bell hooks
My Identities and Values
I am a white able-bodied person with socioeconomic privilege. I recognize and take seriously the vast power and privileges my identities hold. These are just some of the privileges I have. As a neurodivergent queer person who has experienced complex trauma, I know the devastation of systemic oppression. I actively work to dismantle oppressive structures in and out of the therapy setting. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, belonging, and freedom from oppression.
I'm passionate about justice in mental healthcare,
which has historically been harmful to people of color, neurodivergent folks, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, kinky and polyamorous folks, and trauma survivors. I work from a systemic, anti-oppression, feminist lens and speak candidly about the trauma of racism, poverty, marginalization, sexism, and all systems of oppression. I work collaboratively with clients to create a sense of safety in the therapeutic relationship.
I believe all clients have the right to an affirming therapist with shared identities & if it’s not the right fit, I will collaborate with them to find their match.
I Love to Work With
My clients often come to therapy seeking deeper connections to themselves and their loved ones. Most of my clients are LGBTQ+ identified. I love working with kinky folks as well as non-monogamous and polyamorous individuals and relationships.
I also love working with people who consciously choose monogamy. My clients have experienced complex trauma and oppression. I’m particularly good at working with individuals, couples, as well as relationships where one or more partners have experienced past relational trauma and dare to choose more vibrant and safer ways of being in a relationship. I work well with people who want to step into their power and mindfully and responsibly use their power to co-create a better world for all beings.
I love working with energetic and sensitive people with extrasensory awareness and spiritual and/or religious practices. I am passionate about working with folks whose life experiences challenge mainstream norms and may be deemed unconventional. I love collaborating with people as they create authentic relationships with themselves, their people, and the collective. My clients’ are growth-oriented badasses and brave cycle breakers. And I love supporting them as they embrace their truths.
Background
Education and Training
Master of Arts in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy, St. Edward’s University
Somatic Experiencing (SE), completed Intermediate 1 training level
Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), a 4-day externship
Evolutionary IFS, a 3-day workshop led by Paige Britt & Guthrie Sayen
Approaches
Relational Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Parts Work
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Relationship Therapy
Transpersonal Therapy