Ashley Parkinson (she/her/hers)

Mindfulness-based

I rely heavily on a mindfulness-based approach in therapy to help clients train attention to the present moment (body sensations, emotions, thoughts) with compassion and non-judgment. Mindfulness-based practice can be very helpful in reducing stress, anxiety, depression and in treating eating and body image concerns as well as issues with substance use and addiction.

Adjustment Disorder

I enjoy supporting people through life transitions, as these can be times of great growth and learning (as well as challenge and exhaustion). I have experience working with college students in "quarter-life crisis," as well as people facing "mid-life overwhelm" as they manage relationships, career, health, and caregiving of children and elders. Although stress is a normal part of big life changes, having support during difficult times can reduce symptoms and prevent further complications.

Body Image Issues

I work with body image issues from a body positive, HAES (Health at Every Size) perspective, and from my own lived experience as someone who has learned to see beyond diet and fat-hating culture to a place of body acceptance and respect. I support my clients wherever they are in their relationships with their bodies through the principles of Intuitive Eating and Be Nourished's "Body Trust" model. I employ Motivational Interviewing to help people identify personal values and goals toward change.

Relationship / Marriage Issues

Our relationships are the heart and soul of our lives--they often are what makes us get out of bed in the morning, and what gives us reason to grow, learn, and become better people. When our relationships aren't working, or when they are abusive, destructive, or harmful, we have difficulty functioning well in other areas of our lives. I support my clients in working toward healthy relationships through identifying the longstanding patterns that have become unseen obstacles to change.

Self-Esteem

Sometimes, even when we have it "all together on the outside," we secretly harbor feelings of dislike toward ourselves or feel like we are not valuable. Low self-worth often starts in childhood, or begins when someone experiences a harmful relationship or traumatic incidence. I support clients in boosting self-worth by exploring longstanding patterns of thought, feeling and behavior, and through mindfulness practice, boundary-setting, communication skills, and building on natural strengths.

Early Recovery

I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-I) and spent several years working in community addictions facilities focused on early recovery. I am knowledgeable about 12-Step, SMART Recovery, harm-reduction, and other recovery models. I support people in early recovery through a strong therapeutic alliance, shame reduction, encouragement, relapse planning, and referrals to higher levels of care as needed. I employ Motivational Interviewing to help people find internal motivation to change.