Ash Levine (he/they)

The majority of my work has been around collaborating with clients to learn how to live fully in the aftermath of trauma as well as in the presence of everyday traumas that come from holding a marginalized identity. I'm specifically trained as Certified Trauma Specialist, and have built expertise through training around somatic/body-based approaches to healing from trauma. I also make use of more traditional talk therapy and behavioral approaches, based on the client's preference.

My expertise in gender identity exploration has been both personal and professional. I identify as transmasculine/nonbinary, but beyond my own lived experience, I've worked both with individuals and groups to explore and process gender identity -- both the challenges and the joys. I have experience working through questions around social and medical transition with clients and families. If any of this is on your mind, I hope you'll reach out. We can hold it together.

My expertise in adolescent issues is clinical in nature -- the majority of my clients have been adolescents or emerging adults. From a group perspective, I have experience facilitating skills-based groups as well as processing/peer support groups. My work with individual adolescent clients is deeply tailored to their specific needs, but tends to revolve around identity issues, peer challenges, family systems, and how to productively manage new stressors during this transitional time.

I believe that the stories we tell ourselves are fundamental to our wellbeing. When we tell ourselves stories filled with shame, self-doubt, or fear, our actions reflect those stories. We make (or don't make) decisions based on those stories. I work with clients to uncover the stories that are driving their behavior, explore what purpose the stories are serving, and ultimately, work towards creating an updated story that feels both true and aligned with the client's values and goals.

Therapy doesn't work without a strong relationship. Given that, my first priority is always building a relationship that feels safe enough to be a playground for exploration. With a strong relationship, we can make therapy a place for trying out new behaviors, identities, and even relationship patterns. To do this, I will always strive to be transparent, consistent, and humbly thankful when a client is willing to tell me that I've made a mistake or gone astray.

There are some ways in which trauma needs to be dealt with differently than depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health conditions. Trauma freezes us (or at least part of us) in time. Without care, traditional talk therapy methods can bring that frozen moment to the surface and re-traumatize a client. Because of that, I've taken the time get training around both behavioral and and somatic approaches to trauma and am currently a Certified Trauma Professional.