Ashley Anson
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” - Rumi
As a therapist, my journey is deeply rooted in personal transformation. Having navigated my own path of healing from childhood abuse, I understand the profound complexities of overcoming deep wounds and embracing self-love. My mission is to provide a sanctuary where individuals can embark on their healing journey, unveiling buried pains to foster self-compassion and prosperity.
My professional background extends beyond therapy, having spent a decade as a lawyer specializing in criminal law. This experience, coupled with my involvement on the Board for the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative, fueled my passion for guiding children away from negative cycles toward empowerment and positive change.
My academic journey reflects a diverse foundation, with a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota School of Law, a Masters of Environmental Policy from Vermont Law School, and a Bachelors of Art in English Creative Writing from Indiana University. Currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, I aim to merge systemic theory with a personalized approach, tailoring healing models to suit each client's unique needs.
Believing in the transformative power of emotions, I specialize in working with narcissistic and empath dynamics, addressing childhood core wounds, and advocating for the processing of difficult emotions as the cornerstone of mental well-being. My therapeutic philosophy centers on collaboration, walking alongside clients rather than dictating their journey. As an artist and creative writer, I incorporate Art Therapy techniques and Creative Writing to expand healing possibilities, encouraging exploration and expression. In essence, I aspire to create a nurturing space where individuals, families, and children can embrace their vulnerabilities, rewrite narratives, and embark on a journey toward holistic healing and personal growth.
My personal hobbies involve oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting, singing, crafts and scrapbooking. I love reading to my three children, and enjoy watching movies, cooking, and baking with them. I love to foster creativity and an open spirit in my own children, and carry that same desire through with my clients. I look forward to working with you.
TRANSFORM IT
Surviving physical, sexual, and narcissistic abuse is a profound and harrowing journey that leaves indelible scars on one's psyche. As a survivor, the imperative to heal from these traumas becomes not just a personal quest but a commitment to break the cycle of pain and darkness. Transforming the energies associated with such abuse into light and healing is a powerful undertaking, driven by the survivor's passionate desire to reclaim agency over their own narrative. It is crucial to recognize that healing from narcissistic abuse involves unraveling the intricate web of manipulation and reclaiming one's self-worth. Addressing sexual abuse requires navigating the complex landscape of trauma, often involving introspection, therapy, and support to rebuild a healthy relationship with one's body and sexuality.
The importance of this transformative journey lies not only in the individual's healing but also in the potential to inspire others on similar paths. By transmuting the pain into a source of strength and resilience, survivors become beacons of hope and catalysts for change. The ripple effect extends beyond personal liberation, contributing to the collective energy of healing and empowerment. Ultimately, transforming these experiences into sources of light is an act of profound self-love and a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and renewal. As a survivor of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, I have a deep passion for helping clients navigate this transformation and journey inward toward a vision of self love and self acceptance post abuse.
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Identifying the presence of daily pessimism and negative self-beliefs rooted in trauma and challenging life events can be crucial for one's mental well-being. Individuals may recognize signs such as persistent self-criticism, a pervasive sense of hopelessness, or a constant expectation of negative outcomes. Talk therapy becomes a transformative tool in addressing these patterns by providing a space for individuals to explore the origins of their beliefs, challenge distorted thought patterns, and reprocess traumatic experiences. Through therapeutic interventions, individuals can develop a more positive outlook, replacing self-limiting beliefs with self-compassion and resilience. The process enables individuals to navigate every facet of life with a renewed sense of empowerment, fostering a healthier mindset that extends beyond the immediate impact of trauma and paves the way for sustained personal growth and well-being.
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Engaging in the difficult yet crucial process of talking and processing past sexual and physical abuse is paramount to healing from the deep-seated wounds inflicted by such traumatic experiences. While initially scary and stressful, talk therapy serves as a vital starting point for individuals to confront and accept the reality of what happened. In the therapeutic space, individuals can work towards reparenting themselves, addressing lingering low self-esteem issues, and finding validation from an empathetic source. This becomes particularly essential when familial environments lack the safety required for survivors to share their experiences openly. Through talk therapy, survivors gain a supportive ally who not only listens without judgment but actively participates in the journey towards healing, fostering a sense of empowerment, self-acceptance, and resilience in the face of past trauma.
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Recognizing narcissistic abuse in various relationships, be it with a parent, spouse, sibling, or a third party, involves acknowledging patterns of manipulation, emotional exploitation, and a consistent imbalance of power. Signs may include constant criticism, gaslighting, and an overall sense of feeling controlled. Understanding the dynamics of codependency becomes pivotal in this context, as individuals often find themselves entangled in relationships marked by an unhealthy reliance on approval and validation from the narcissistic figure. Shifting towards healing requires the establishment of firm boundaries and an increase in self-worth. Talk therapy offers an ideal space to explore these shifts, providing a supportive environment for individuals to dissect the complexities of their relationships, develop strategies for setting healthy boundaries, and ultimately reclaim their sense of self. Through therapeutic interventions, individuals can break free from the cycle of narcissistic abuse, fostering personal growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of autonomy.
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Art therapy, expressive therapy, and journaling are therapeutic modalities that harness the power of creative expression to facilitate emotional healing and self-discovery. In art therapy, individuals use various art forms to communicate and process emotions that may be challenging to express verbally. Expressive therapy, encompassing a range of creative outlets, allows individuals to convey feelings through movement, music, or other non-verbal means. Art therapy is the expression of emotions through painting, drawing, coloring, or tactile manipulation like play dough, clay, or even crochet. Journaling involves putting thoughts and emotions on paper as a form of self-reflection.
These modalities are particularly helpful in a therapeutic setting as they provide alternative channels for communication and self-expression, tapping into the subconscious mind. When integrated with talk therapy, this combination becomes a deeply profound and healing experience. It offers a comprehensive approach that caters to diverse learning and processing styles, enhancing the therapeutic journey for individuals, couples, families, and children. The synergy of verbal and non-verbal expressions fosters a holistic exploration of emotions, contributing to a more profound understanding and resolution of underlying issues.