Ashten G
Oh hey. I'm Ashten. I'm a trauma specialist who's particularly well versed in attachment and complex trauma. I offer both in person and virtual sessions, although my in person hours are limited because I utilize a local community space and only have it a few hours a few days a week, just FYI.
I am most knowledgeable regarding trauma so, if you've experience an event or multiple events that you feel are traumatic, I'm probably worth considering.
I like humor, and I like to cuss sometimes if you do (and if you don't then I won't). I love science and educating people about how trauma impacts them on a physical level. I use all the heavily researched trauma therapies but mostly I just want to know you and your story and see how I can help be your emotional tour guide. Lastly, I believe in the primary mental health care model. If possible, I want to build a relationship that allows me to be your therapist long term. We might reach out goals right now, but if life throws a curveball at you in 2, 5, 7 years? Reach out to me, let's get you back in, and you don't have to worry about telling your story all over again. I already know you.
First session
We will take a look at your completed intake paperwork and screeners for things like depression and anxiety. We will discuss what brought you into therapy, and what you're looking to get out of it. I'll explain a little bit about my trauma specialty and what that looks like using my specialized tools in session. Pretty simple, really!
Strengths
So, here's the thing... I think a lot of well meaning trauma interventions get it wrong. Sure, you want to feel safe, but in my experience over the years I've learned that what really makes people feel safe goes so far beyond breathing techniques and challenging thoughts or moving their eyes while scanning their body. The power is in knowing you can handle whatever life throws at you because let's be honest, life is gonna throw sh!+ at you. I believe competence builds competence. I don't want to get caught in processing loops. You'll find I prefer to ask "what are we going to do about it?" way more than I like to ask how that made you feel.
Ideal clients
I do my best work with clients who are ready to roll up their sleeves and build active solutions. My approach is warm, practical, and heavily grounded in action. We won't just talk about the problem, we'll practice the solutions. That might look like role-playing tough conversations, utilizing heart rate variability training to calm your nervous system, or setting doable steps between sessions. My ultimate goal? To give you the tools you need so I can eventually make myself unnecessary in your life. I also do well with clients who are looking for a long term provider. I believe in creating the primary mental health care therapeutic relationship. We might wrap up for now, but let's say something something happens 5 years from now? Reach out, get back in, and don't repeat your whole story. I already know you, so let's get to work.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
In a nutshell: We're gonna take a look at what you believe because of the bad stuff that happened and we're gonna see if it's overly negative and unhelpful and stuff. Lots of talking here, and I find it's helpful for people who lead with emotion before putting the thoughts together.
EMDR
This is the one where you use your hands to tap or move your eyes side to side while you focus on something that was traumatic for you. You don't have to talk much but I am going to ask you "what came up for you" and "where do you feel that in your body" a lot. I also like to use this one to visualize positive things to help build up your confidence. Like, picturing yourself at your best and embedding that image in your mind. I like this one best for my folks who get stuck in their brain and intellectualizing.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I don't really get too technical with this one, but if I notice you're stuck in a big emotion, I like to teach you ways to manage it, like radical acceptance, wise mind, and skills for communicating your needs to others. Lots of role play and examples are used. Feels corny somestimes but the skills work!
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS helps us break down the "parts" of you. Like when someone says "there's a part of me that wants to forgive but a part of me that doesn't". I like to take those parts, break them down and understand them, and see if we can't get them on the same page somehow. I even like to give them names and images like little characters. I have fun with this one.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions1726 Morgan's Point Rd, Belton, TX 76513, OFC 1
Identifies as
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Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 128442
- New JerseyLicense 44SC06526300
- OhioLicense I.2405694
- TexasLicense 67183