Welcome! I am Ashlea Lawrenson, your Kelowna EMDR therapist.
My approach to therapy is an alternative to conventional therapy. I imagine myself as a guide or fellow traveler you have met on your journey of growth and empowerment.
While my academic foundation comes from traditional talk therapy, over the years, I have integrated mindfulness and body-based methods in addition to the powerful Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) that offers a truly multidimensional approach to healing. This all-encompassing approach allows me the flexibility to pull from a variety of therapeutic techniques to effectively support each client, meeting their own unique therapy needs.
- Ashlea
Experience
Ashlea is an EMDR therapist, who brings over ten years of experience within the field of therapy and mental health. Ashlea’s distinguished education and training include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minoring in Counselling and Human Development, and a Masters of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Furthermore, Ashlea holds specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Mindfulness-based Somatic Therapy.
Background
Ashlea has a background working with complex trauma, PTSD, domestic violence, sexual assault, and abuse (including sexual, physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse). Additionally, Ashlea has worked extensively with those struggling with anxiety disorders and symptoms--panic attacks, phobias, OCD, chronic pain, burnout, chronic stress, complicated grief, depression, self-harm & suicide ideation, anger, irritability, addictive behaviors, shame, body acceptance, and eating disorders.
I am so passionate about this work, because I see so many people that know their trauma, stored experiences & emotions affect their health, but don't have the tools to properly support the process of lasting healing.
Our pain and struggle, requires an attuned and compassionate witness to hold a space of non-judgment and genuine warmth and THAT is the backbone of my professional philosophy. In addition to these attributes, my practice modalities and clinical approaches are evidence-based and ethically sound.
It’s almost always the case that whatever has wounded us will also be instrumental in our healing. I am here to offer a safely guided exploration of these wounds and pain. We are not meant to do this deep inner work alone and I would be honoured to walk alongside you.
