Ashley Beal (She/her), Graduate Intern Therapist
Heart Body Mind Psychological and Assessment Services
Hi, I’m Ashley! I am a graduate intern therapist supervised by Meg Hasek-Watt, R. Psych.
I believe that there is no “one size fits all” in therapy. You are unique, your situation is unique, and I am honoured to hold space for you to explore the different ways to tackle your unique challenges. My practice is health-focused, integrative and holistic, offering support from primarily Psychodynamic Therapy, Existentialism, Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Somatic and Mindfulness approaches. Health-focused therapy aims to prevent or manage illness while encouraging wellness.
We are piloting a new no-cost cancer support program to fill a gap in mental health support for people who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Let’s talk about the “C” word… Cancer.
The statistics are staggering, with 1.5 million Canadians living with or through Cancer. The most common cancers affecting Canadians are breast, prostate and lung cancers, but anyone with any cancer diagnosis is welcome here.
As someone with a chronic illness and who has had many loved ones diagnosed and impacted by cancer, I am passionate about ensuring that no one walks their journey alone. I am comfortable holding space for you to explore the wide range of challenges and concerns beyond prognosis and treatment. Thoughts about life and death? Religious conflict? Negative impacts of your diagnosis on your sexual health?
I don’t see taboo, I see you.
Availability:
Virtual and In-Person Sessions
Monday 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Virtual Only: Wednesday mornings (time TBD)
Areas of Practice:
Adults (18+): Individual, Couples, Family
Therapy & Assessment
Gender, sexuality and neurodiversity affirming
Focus on Health Psychology, Chronic Illness & Pain, Spirituality & Religion, Sex & Sexuality, Depression & Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Death & Dying, Existential Questioning, Interpersonal Challenges, and Major life changes.
Personal Interests:
I am a person who lives in the flux. Chronic illness means being prepared to adapt to everything life throws at you. The only constant in life is change; we can choose to fight it, accept it or make it an adventure. Real talk… I’d love it to always be an adventure, but sometimes that isn’t possible, and that’s okay.
When things are going well: I love to be out in nature, immersing myself in different cultures, and being a change agent. Sometimes that is advocacy and volunteerism, sometimes it's changing my hair colour.
When things aren’t going as well as I would like: I lean into my recovery kit. For me, that means checking in with what my body needs and enjoying soft blankets, a warm beverage, an intriguing book, and puppy cuddles with my Great Dane.
Hobbies include baking and taxidermy. Never at the same time, but always because life is too short not to have a cookie.
