About
“Growth is painful. Change is painful.
But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”
– Mandy Hale
Change is possible.
Things aren’t working out for you, and you are ready for change.
There is so much more to life.
You are ready to start living.
But where do you start?
Thinking about the next steps feels overwhelming.
Maybe, you’ve tried therapy before and didn’t feel like it helped.
Perhaps, you are entirely new to the process, noticing feelings of fear and apprehension, and feel unsure of what to expect.
This feeling is normal.
Let me come alongside your journey.
You’ve come this far, and now, you begin to wonder if I am the right therapist for you.
The relationship between you and your therapist is one of the most important decisions you can make because therapy is a vital piece of the change you can have.
Don’t take this journey alone.
As your therapist, I will walk alongside you in your pain.
Therapy isn’t about fixing you.
Seeking change does not mean you are broken and need to be “fixed.”
What you feel is hurt, not brokenness.
Patterns and behaviors have created and served a purpose for you at one time.
But those patterns no longer help you now.
What is the purpose of therapy?
So often, you go through life feeling unheard and invalidated.
Therapy provides a safe space to process your thoughts and feelings free of judgment.
In this space, you will feel heard, understood, and validated.
The goal is to work toward healing, growth, and change – allowing you to become “unstuck.”
About Me
Hi! I’m Ashley “Ashton” Bernal- a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #94658).
Nice to meet you. I am so grateful you are here.
While I can’t promise that the path to growth and change will be easy, I can promise to come alongside you on your journey in a space free of judgment. I will meet you where you are with warmth, authenticity, and openness throughout our work together.
The trusting relationship I form with my clients is a central component of our work together. At the forefront of therapy is the connection we build and the comfort you feel with me as your therapist.
My approach depends on your needs. I won’t overwhelm you with all of my education, experience, and training, because what matters most is how supported and understood you feel.
I will share that I have over a decade of experience in the mental health field. I have worked with individuals experiencing severe mental illness and spent a great deal of time in the public school system supporting adolescents and teens. Through my experience, I have seen the impact of trauma, which led me to pursue EMDR training, including the Flash Technique, to support individuals in processing and healing from trauma in a way that feels manageable and safe.
My approach is client-centered, with each session tailored to your individual needs and goals. I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Flash Technique, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Humanistic approaches. The structure of each session is guided by what will best support you.
I offer all therapy sessions through a secure virtual platform, providing comfort and accessibility so you can engage in therapy from a space where you feel most at ease.
Through my journey into motherhood, I have also seen the importance of supporting new and expecting parents as they navigate this transition.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, practicing yoga, and spending time outdoors with my family and friends.