Ashton Burdick (she/her)

I believe that each person has the power to determine what has meaning in their life. What we give meaning to is often what dictates how we feel and how we live. We must also find ways to accept ourselves as individuals rather than waiting for others to accept us. We can work together to help you identify what you want to give meaning to your life and to accept who you are at this moment.

It is common for animal care professionals (veterinarians, vet techs, wildlife rehabbers, zoo keepers, support staff, etc) to develop burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, suicidal thoughts, and depression. As a fur-mom and animal lover, it is my honor to give you a space to process, build coping skills, and set boundaries to improve work/life balance, improve self-care, and carry on with the important work you do.

If you struggle with general or social anxiety I can help you gain greater control over your thoughts and make necessary behavioral changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills will help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns, improve control of attention and mindfulness, improve interpersonal skills, and help you build self-acceptance and decisiveness.

Depression can decrease you motivation and make it difficult to see the point in trying. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can help you build a life worth living by helping you identify and challenge negative thought patterns, improve control of attention and mindfulness, improve interpersonal skills, and help you build self-acceptance and decisiveness.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you to identify unhelpful thoughts patterns and beliefs that perpetuate negative emotions and behaviors. Learn to challenge these thought patterns and replace them with more fact-based, neutral, or positive ways of thinking to help you cope with emotions and act on helpful behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills to improve mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, & interpersonal effectiveness. DBT was originally designed to treat Borderline Personality, but has been proven effective with many other mental health diagnoses including anxiety & depression. It focuses on acceptance of reality & not acting on unhelpful thoughts or emotions. DBT skills are helpful when we are unable to identify specific thoughts behind our emotions/behaviors.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy combines evidence based counseling methods with a "hands on" therapeutic experience in a beautiful outdoor setting to help you get out of your head & practice real change in the moment. All activities are ground-based, there is no riding and no horse experience is necessary. Perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors & recognize the powerful therapeutic potential of animals & nature.