Ash Chalmers, MSW, RSW

Hi! I’m Ash (they/them). I work with transitional aged youth (17+), adults, and couples (see couples therapy section) who are navigating anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, emotion regulation, low mood, relationship difficulties, and general stressors in life.

Is this you?

Are you someone who experiences strong emotions, but doesn’t always manage them in helpful ways? Perhaps you respond impulsively at times and engage in actions that are inconsistent with how you want to show up for yourself or others. At other times, you might become overwhelmed by feelings like anxiety, fear, or shame and then withdraw or avoid doing things that could support your goals in life.  

Sometimes it can feel as though you’re at the whim of your emotions, but it’s possible to learn how to better manage them so you can engage in actions that move you closer to your goals. You might have some unhelpful thoughts/rules about what you “should” or “should not” be doing that get in the way, and we can also work through those together. 

What is my Approach?

I love working with folks to support empowerment and growth. Through understanding and processing thoughts resulting in a feeling of stuckness, learning tools to gain control over behaviours interfering with long-term goals/values, and skills to navigate intense emotions causing challenges in daily life. 

During our work together collaboration is key! We will use your strengths, inner knowledge, and resiliency in tandem with evidence-based interventions to support your goals. We will balance validation and acceptance with change. Understanding, validating, and honoring our emotions and experiences is an important part of the process. It helps us make sense of our worlds and the patterns we engage in. This then provides the space to decide what emotions, thoughts, or behaviours, are fostering growth and connection to ourselves, others, and the things we value most in life.

I practice from a supportive, client-centred, anti-oppressive practice, and a trauma-informed lens. I use a strengths-based and integrative approach, drawing from the following evidence-based practices: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT, CBT-E, CBT-AR), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). 

What Is My Experience?

I received my Masters of Social Work and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Professional development is integral to me as a practitioner.  I have received further training in: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); DBT-ED, CBT-E, CBT-ARFID, substance use concerns/concurrent disorders, and couples therapy.  

Those who might find my services helpful are individual experiencing/living with:

• Anxiety (e.g., social anxiety, generalized anxiety, fears/phobias).

• Eating disorders (Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, ARFID, OSFED) and eating-related/body image concerns.  

• Substance use concerns/concurrent disorders.

• Difficulties with Emotion Regulation/Impulsivity.

• Low mood/depression.

• Interpersonal relationship difficulties.

• Life transitions.

• Self-esteem and sense of connection/fulfillment in life.

 Clients I work with:

• individuals 17+

• couples

Free free to set up a free 15-minute phone call to see if I would be the right fit for you or to make an appointment (Hourly Rate - $175) if you would like to jump in and get started using the button below.