Ashley Andrew, Registered Social Worker

Therapy Areas: trauma, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, forensic issues, anxiety, depression and other mood issues, anger management, personality issues, ADHD

It takes a great amount of courage and vulnerability to reach out for support for your mental health and well-being. I applaud you for taking this step and would like to offer you a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative space as you embark on this journey. During our first appointment, we will explore what you want to get out of therapy and discuss your personal background and experiences. It is important that you feel comfortable during this process and feel free to share as much or as little as you would like. We will explore your challenges and your strengths and collaboratively identify your therapeutic goals.

In order to best meet your individual needs, I use an eclectic and integrative approach by drawing from different therapeutic modalities. I strongly believe that my role is to adapt my services to the needs of my clients as opposed to using a one-model-fits-all approach. I have completed training in Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I am also currently completing a three-year training program in Somatic Experiencing. I work with adults and welcome individuals from different cultures, religions, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status, and abilities.

I am registered with the National Institute of Forensic Social Work and have extensive experience advocating for and providing emotional support to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Counselling individuals accused of offences, as well as survivors of crime, has deepened my understanding of complex criminal justice issues.

I work from a trauma-informed lens and also have experience providing counselling services to individuals who have experienced interpersonal trauma- specifically domestic abuse and sexual assault. I have training in the implementation of the Ontario Domestic Assault and Risk Assessment (ODARA), which helps identify an individual’s risk level of re-offending and can provide insight into a survivor’s likelihood of re-victimization. I completed a Master of Social Work placement in a trauma therapy program and have continued to work in the trauma field. I am adept at assessing and treating trauma-related responses, such as flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation, shame, hypervigilance, sleep difficulties, numbing, anxiety, irritability, anger, and depression.

I completed an Honours Bachelor of Social Science degree with a Major in Criminology from the University of Ottawa. I went on to earn my Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree from the University of Toronto. I am a Registered Social Worker, affiliated with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. I am also registered with the Ontario Association of Social Workers.