more about the therapist
Starting Journey Through came from a deeply rooted passion of mine for supporting Central and Northern Minnesota communities. I grew up in these areas, I made friends in these areas, I met my husband in these areas - we call this home. Most of these communities are made up of members who are spread out across wide distances, and they aren't strangers to having to drive 30+ minutes to get groceries or go to a doctor's appointment. I realized very quickly the importance of having services close to home so that people can get the help they need without sacrificing work time, drive time, or family time.
When I'm not in the office, you can usually find me out exploring - from hiking trails and camping trips, to visiting with friends at local coffee shops, to attending local sporting events - I just really enjoy all that Central and Northern Minnesota has to offer.
Ashley Smith, MA, LPCC
therapist + owner
bbht approved supervisor
I have been in the mental health field for the last 10+ years.
Settings I have worked in:
-inpatient hospitalization
-outpatient services
-school-based therapy
-private practice / clinic services
My school background:
Undergraduate at College of St. Benedict's
Master's at St. Mary's University
Specialty Trainings:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Brainspotting Level 1
Internal Family Systems, introduction
Working with Law Enforcement Training, Adler College
My license:
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
BBHT approved supervisor
Modalities and Therapies that I may use:
Narrative Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Internal Family Systems
Brainspotting
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Polyvagal Theory
my background
I will support you through a supportive, genuine, and purpose-driven framework. I know change is hard, and I believe that if we can shift our own internal beliefs and narratives that may no longer serve us, and to understand more of the why underneath, it can become easier. Your mind and your body work together, and to see sustainable change, we have to look at both aspects. Often, this means I will be asking you not just about your mental health systems, but also about your sleep, nutrition, and overall health habits.
Clients would describe me as friendly, compassionate, approachable, kind, will use humor (when appropriate), and a visual person - I have a huge white board in my office that I will frequently use to help with building understanding and providing psychoeducation. Therapy is not always an easy thing, so I will meet you where you are at - whether that's talking about the deep stuff or needing a space to decompress. All emotions are welcome, and we will walk the journey towards healing together.
my approach
- Teen years can be hard. There are a lot of changes happening, there may be a lot you are trying to figure out. Sometimes, it can be helpful to have someone outside of your friend groups and your family who can listen, support, and provide helpful skills.
- This point in development is also a tricky place to be. There can be a lot of changes, a lot of transitions happening. From moving out on your own, deciding whether you want to go to college or not, trying to figure out who you are - it's not always easy. Having a safe space to explore some of those things while also creating more awareness into ways to practice healthy self-care can create a foundation to carry you throughout the later stages in your life.
- I started my mental health journey in the hospital system, before moving into the school system, and now here I am in a private practice setting. I know how challenging those careers and workplaces can be - from provider burnout, to vicarious trauma, to stressors that leak into your home life, to feeling like you are losing patience with your kids and your partner, to not knowing how to care for yourself while also caring for others, even though that's your job. It's a unique set of challenges, and I specifically work with fellow helpers and first responders for that reason. Coming from a trauma-informed lens, I can help you create improvement in not only your work life, but also home and relationship areas too.
- Groups hold a special place in my therapist heart. I started out as an activity person way back in the day as a young high schooler in a nursing home, and I realized the power of healing that groups could have. When you are surrounded by others who may be experiencing similar things or may want to learn about the same things you do, there is a sense of belonging and a sense of trust that is different than when created within an individual therapy space.
who I may work with
-Lisa Oliver
"As a Therapist, I won't: try to fix you; give you advice; tell you what to do; pretend to know more than you do; assume what is best for you; have all the answers; or make the hard stuff go away.
As a Therapist, I will: remind you that you're not broken; give you room to access your own wisdom; support you in figuring out what to do; recognize that you are the expert of your life; remember that only you know what's best for you; honor that I don't know it all; and collaborate with you on how to make the hard stuff easier to sit with."
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