Deidre Ashton (they/them/theirs)

Whether working with an individual or with the whole family, I am experienced at supporting families to work through conflicts by teasing out the ways in which strategies used to survive historical and intergenerational trauma have become habits and patterns of behavior that interfere with closeness, connection, and unconditional support.

Systems of oppression including but not limited to racism, heterosexism, cisgenderism, sexism, and ableism are often at the root of many of the suffering that bring people to therapy. I have 20 yrs of experience holding space to witness these experiences, to counter and prevent internalization, and develop strategies of disruption. I have trained and supervised therapists and other human services professionals to address oppression as an essential part of clinical work.

I have 20 years of experience specializing in supporting people to work on their relationship difficulties by addressing the ways in which their family of origin experiences and unhealed childhood attachment wounds organize what they are looking for in relationships, how they show up in relationships, and how to engage in relationships that are affirming and uplifting.

I have studied at the Multicultural Family Institute, the Ackerman Institute for the family, and the Eikenberg Academy for Social Justice following the teachings of leaders in culturallly sensitive therapy such as Kenneth V. Hardy, Monica McGoldrick, Nydia Garcia Prieto, thandiwe Dee Watts Jones, and Resmaa Menakem. I continue to develop and deepen my ability to practice culturally sensitive therapy through ongoing practice, supervision and training.

My training at the Ackerman Institute included a focus on social constructionism and narrative therapy. My practice has focused on distinguishing people from their problems, exploring the relationship understandings that systems of power influence our lived experience, supporting people to cultivate life affirming, empowering narratives about their lives.

I have studied at the Multicultural Family Institute, the Ackerman Institute for the family, and the Eikenberg Academy for Social Justice following the teachings of leaders in culturallly sensitive therapy such as Kenneth V. Hardy, Monica McGoldrick, Nydia Garcia Prieto, thandiwe Dee Watts Jones, and Resmaa Menakem. I continue to develop and deepen my ability to practice culturally sensitive therapy through ongoing practice, supervision and training.

My training at the Ackerman Institute included a focus on social constructionism and narrative therapy. My practice has focused on distinguishing people from their problems, exploring the relationship between the individual and their problems, understanding that systems of power influence our lived experience, supporting people to cultivate life affirming, empowering narratives about their lives.