Growing up in a dysfunctional or abusive household can condition us to live in survival mode, which means we are doing what we feel pressured or need to do in order to survive or maintain a certain image to others.
Even growing up with less-than-nurturing parents or those that were too busy or living in survival mode themselves can train us to be busy all the time trying to achieve “all the things.” This hamster wheel of hustling for our worth while trying to please all of those around us can lead to disconnection with ourselves. This lack of connection and presence with ourselves and our own needs, wants, and desires has some major ripple effects. And honestly, we are all so used to doing what we need to do to survive that we don’t even notice how disconnected we’ve become until we start to feel anxiety or depression creeping up on us.
And then we say to ourselves something like: “I don’t understand why I’m anxious (or depressed, or insert here other annoyingly frustrating issue), I’m doing well in my career, I have people around me that care about me, yet I’m still unhappy and feeling stuck but I don’t know why.”
Addressing Trauma and Chronic Stress
When we’ve had unprocessed traumatic situations in the past (which we may not even realize was something traumatic), we can over-react about things or get super upset and not even understand why. This can be SO confusing and frustrating, and we can feel crazy and out of control. This can be scary, but also so exhausting!!
Ultimately, you may have developed certain strategies in your childhood or early adulthood to help you get through some really challenging times, these strategies may not serve you anymore or may be complicating your life even more than you realized. We want you to feel like you have some different choices and options that maybe didn’t seem possible before, and those will be easier to “see” and grab a hold of when we’ve done good therapeutic work.
Once we’ve addressed the trauma and chronic stress in the nervous system AND in the brain, the barriers that were put in place because of less-than-ideal circumstances will just slip away.
Show up in your Life in a Way that Feels Authentic and Aligned with Your Values and Goals
The truth is, processing even a few of your most disappointing or heart-breaking memories can create some really powerful change and may be the catalyst you need to take better care of yourself so you can actually enjoy your life. We want you to be able to walk away from the therapy process feeling strong, confident, and ready to put your best foot forward in your family life, your job, your marriage, or whatever else you value as important.
If you’ve made it this far on this page you might still be feeling hesitant. We totally get that. Funny enough (or not funny), trauma can make us distrustful and fearful of others, especially those that you don’t know. We understand that too.
If you’re like some of the other clients that come to us and just feel hopeless, tired, and stuck, it’s time for something different.
Reach out to us, there’s no obligation at all, and we will understand if we aren’t a good fit for you. In fact, we will give you some referrals if we aren’t a match, because we know that finding the right therapist is THE most important thing for your healing and recovery.
What People Are Saying
Thank god Kristen recommended EMDR to me. Before it, I genuinely didn’t think I was going to ever feel better, but after only about 2ish months I’m functional again. Also, I like that she said “We’re not trying to make you see your trauma in a positive light, we’re just trying to turn it into a memory that doesn’t hurt you anymore” because I was worried I’d have to act happy by the end of EMDR therapy. But no, the memory still sucks but it really doesn’t hurt anymore!
I’ve been with Ashlie for at least 3 years, (If not more?) I’ve made great strides in my therapy! I’m a childhood trauma survivor. I spent most of my life simply surviving. After another traumatic event, I finally sought help.
Ashlie helped me understand my trauma. She explained the reasons for my inner turmoil. She was patient and supportive. I felt accepted and safe. I have said many times that Ashlie saved my life and I’m grateful for the tools she provided me. I was very lost for very long and Ashlie led me through the darkness.
I have more work ahead of me and I know I can count on Ashlie to see me through the rest of my journey. “Thank you” doesn’t encapsulate the gratitude I feel for you. You helped me find true happiness!
Kristen is amazing. Very present and I love what she said in our first session—that her goal is to learn what it’s like to be me and to walk alongside me. I feel a difference since working with her and am so grateful to have found your practice and Kristen!
I have been seeing Ashlie for almost a year and a half. She almost feels like a friend that I can talk to but one that offers good advice. I like having her to bounce my feelings off of and having her guidance to navigate personal and business situations. I’m feeling pretty good about things in my life right now, but I look forward to our 2x per month sessions and being able to talk things out with her.
Things are going really well with Katie (Osgood). My daughter really likes going to see her and it’s great to see her high comfort level with an adult. Katie is wonderful.
Ashlie is amazing 💙 I find myself referencing things she’s said to me, and she’s opened my mind to a lot of belief patterns I had that I wasn’t aware of. She’s also very open-minded to recommending or referring you to any other therapy methods she thinks might benefit you. I think my favorite thing about her though is she’s honest and direct, yet very in tune to take things at my pace, and never pressures me to do any type of therapy or have any type of conversation I’m not ready for. 💙
Absolutely life-changing! Katie (Osgood) is amazing and I’m so happy to be working with her! I’ve told all my friends about her!
I have been seeing Kristen Gallien for a few months and she is wonderful! She makes me feel heard and understood and has been a wonderful support! I’m so grateful I found her!
