Ash Chalmers, MSW, RSW

Hi! I’m Ash (they/them), a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist. I work with transitional aged youth (17+), adults, and couples (see couple therapy section).

I work with individuals who are living with anxiety, eating disorders, substance use concerns/concurrent disorders, and depression. I also work with individuals experiencing emotion regulation difficulties, eating-related concerns/body image concerns, 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. 

I use an integrative approach, drawing from the following evidence-based practices: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

For individuals living with eating related concerns, I use an integrative approach drawing from Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E), CBT, DBT, and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - (CBT-ARFID).

I use these therapies from a client-centred, strengths-based, anti-oppressive practice, and a trauma-informed lens where I hold a judgement free space for exploration and growth.

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. Together we will explore and unpack key factors you would like to address in our work together.

Then we will create an individualized plan with action steps to work towards your goals. You will notice during our work together I 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.

Couples Therapy

I provide a neutral, judgement free, supportive space to explore and navigate some of the tough situations coming up in your relationship. We will work together to break unhelpful cycles resulting in you feeling stuck and improve communication, intimacy, connection, and trust.  

I support couples in strengthening their emotional bond, which has a positive impact on improving communication, intimacy, and deepening your connection.

• We will explore the unhelpful patterns that are keeping you stuck and resulting in a space of not feeling heard, supported, or potentially unfulfilled in the relationship. 

• We will work together to build a space of openness, vulnerability, and connection, where you can work through some of the tough issues coming up in your day to day.

• I also support couples in resolving emotional injuries such as breaks in trust and navigating stressors/conflicts connected to work, finances, and general life.

• We can also work together on balancing individual and couple needs/expectations in the relationship.  Intimacy and sexual connection are so important and sometimes the work focuses on exploring sex and sexuality in the relationship.  

• Together we can explore ways to foster connection, understanding, trust, shared meaning/ goals in life as well as effective communication and conflict management skills to support the life you both want to share together.

My work with couples draws from an integrative strengths-based approach using Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples, Gottman Method, Integrative Sex and Couples therapy, CBT, DBT, and ACT practices. I offer a judgment free, supportive, trauma-informed, and sex/kink positive space.

I support all types of relationships, from those just starting to date, longer term relationship, life/nesting partners, married, and CNM/ENM

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 couple therapy. 

Further education for couples therapy includes Emotion Focused Therapy- for Couples (EFT), Gottman Method (Level 1), and Integrative sex and couple therapy. I have experience supporting individuals and couples in both hospitals and community mental health settings.  

 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

• Depression

• Relationship concerns (understanding attachment/identity needs, managing/processing relationship dynamics, improving communication skills, communicating needs/boundaries, processing difficult events/situations coming up in the relationship, etc.)

• Couples therapy (communication, navigating stressors in daily life, transitions in relationship, breaks in trust, conflict management, building fulfilment/connection, sex/intimacy etc.)

• Life transitions

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

 Clients I work with:

• individuals 17+

• couples

Outside of work, I enjoy being in nature, going on hikes with my dog Brodie, rock climbing, traveling, listening to music, and attempting to play the Ukulele 

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.