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About Ashley
I am a Trauma Specific Child and Family Therapist and qualified Social Worker who has a Masters degree in Social Health and Counselling, and a Masters degree in Social Work, with a background undergraduate in psychology and criminology. I am the founder of Ashley Child Therapies, and the co-founder of Immrama: Holistic Trauma Healing Centre.
The healing power of connection, community and relationships, body and sensory based therapies, nature and expressive art continuously inspire the work that I do. I have been working therapeutically with children and families for the past 15 years in contexts such as childcare, youth residential care, out of home care and child protection, refugee and migrant communities, family law, domestic and family abuse, school based therapy programs, and child and adolescent mental health.
My therapeutic practice and framework uses specific research and knowledge relating to attachment theory, neurobiology of trauma, physiology and neuoscience, DDP (dyadic developmental psychotherapy level one), family systems theory, critical social work theories, narrative therapy, somatic therapies & sensory integration, inner child work, creative & play based therapies, mindfulness and yoga, to inform therapeutic approaches and interventions.
Throughout my experience, I have had the privilege of being involved in hundreds of children and young people's lives who have taught me about their experiences of mental health, parental divorce, disconnection from family, and trauma related to violence, abuse and neglect. More so they have showed me the importance of experiences of creative arts and play, cultural connectedness, imagination & storytelling, deep hope, spirituality, and laughter and connection in their journey's of resilience and healing. The heart of my practice holds the importance of the experience of relational safety and trust for those who have experienced deep wounds from trauma, grief, and disconnection.
One large part of my work is to assist families to work towards a more peaceful, regulated home environment and strengthen parental relationships with their children. Part of this is to explore alongside parents what is really going on for their kids, deepen their understanding of their child’s needs, and build parental confidence that they can respond in way that will leave their child feeling seen, heard, acknowledged- all ingredients for emotional and behavioural regulation development.
My commitment to children, young people and adults in supporting recovery from trauma has extended to speaking at various National and International conferences, developing therapeutic group programs, and supporting other professionals through training, clinical supervision and consultation. I also have certificates in Family Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy level one, Radical Exposure Tapping Level I (Deactivating the Buttons) for PTSD and Anxiety, Yoga for the Traumatised Body, Teaching and Training, Nutritional Therapy certifcate, and Ayurvedic medicine certificate.
Most recently, I have been providing ADHD specific parent coaching for parents in the Thrive Method 4 Kids Program; where I have been supporting parents in understanding the neuroscience and family dynamics behind children’s ADHD based behaviours and how to implement ADHD specific therapeutic parenting to reduce tricky symptoms! Click here to see the Jumpstart for Parenting ADHD program! Click here to listen to the latest guest appearance on the Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD (apple podcasts) OR on spotify click here.
I currently work part time as I have been nourishing my transition to motherhood and spending time with my toddler. What keeps me most connected to my own healing, and joy are things like, basking in my love of delicious food and coffee at local cafes, walking near the ocean, practicing yoga, kinesiology, reading, cooking, camping and snuggling with Stanley the therapy cat while watching the latest new TV show to binge!
I am an accredited social worker and a member with the AASW. Also a NSW Victim Services Accredited Counsellor.