Body-based care for transitional times
Support for birth, death, and the beginnings & endings in between
Somatic:
of, relating to, or affecting the body; also an umbrella term for therapeutic modalities that focus on (re)connecting with bodily sensations
Doula:
a person who provides non-medical care (emotional, logistical, educational) through a significant life experience (birth, death, illness, transitions)
Hi there! I’m Ash.
And I’d love to be a companion on your journey as you navigate all the challenges & joys of being a person with a messy, beautiful, complicated body.
The more-than-human world intuitively knows how to navigate the natural stressors and cycles of every day life—for instance, animals in the wild shake off the tension in their bodies after near a death experience and return to a calm & present baseline without much trouble. The human animal has the tools to navigate this terrain too, but we live world that has separated us from the language of the body, the cycles of the earth, and the support of community—all the things we need to feel safe in our bodies and the world around us.
My work as a somatic practitioner & doula is supporting people in actually hearing & trusting what their bodies have to say and uncovering the wisdom that our bodies already hold. This type of support can be especially helpful during life’s big transitional moments such as giving birth or actively dying—but it also makes a difference during the little births, deaths, and cycles of everyday life.
Check out the frequently asked questions for more specifics on what I offer and the logistics of working together or schedule a consult to ask your specific questions.
I have been working with Ashley since May 2024 and she is absolutely fantastic. It’s hard to describe somatic work because each session is a little bit different. That’s because the sessions are based on tuning in and listening to how I’m feeling in my body, something I realized I rarely, if ever, did in the past. I feel like I’m developing a relationship of consent with myself & my body that I never had before. With the guidance of Ashley, I’m able to explore how my body communicates “yes" and “no", which can be emotional but also extremely powerful. She has given me tools I can apply to real world scenarios when I feel anxious or overwhelmed. I highly recommend her services.
—Torey
Book a free consultation
Interested in working together? Set up a free 20 minute virtual consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Is somatic support like talk therapy?
Nope! Somatic support uses a different toolkit than psychotherapy: we focus our attention on the information coming from the the body (sensations, images, behaviors) and the state of the present moment nervous system—which doesn’t include diagnosing or advice from a mental health perspective. People who tend to be a good fit are often interested in (re)connecting with their physical body and want support specifically around that. As a somatic practitioner I offer a space where people can practice listening to their unique body with compassion & patience and explore different tools for bringing those listening skills into everyday moments.
Is working with a doula like having a midwife?
Nope! Doula support includes emotional, physical, mental, informational, logistical, and / or spiritual support—which doesn’t include medical-related care or advice from a medical perspective. Doula clients often appreciate having a support person who is dedicated solely to their emotional wellbeing during birth, death, or other health-related experiences (surgeries, procedures, appointments, etc.) and who can be with them before / during / after in a way that a nurse or doctor simply can’t. As a doula I help create care plans, ask questions, find resources, and help people to feel witnessed and cared for while interacting with a fast-paced medical system.