%20(1).png)
Ashleigh Martinflatt
MSW, RCC, RSW
One of the first steps in your journey of wellness is connecting with a counsellor who is the right fit for you. It is important that you and your counsellor have a relational connection and I strive for that to be the foundation of my work. I have been providing counselling and Social Work support for over 20 years to children, youth, adults and families and I am committed to providing a safe space to explore past hurts, co-create plans of change and engage in a therapeutic process that is specific to your needs, wants and strengths. And even though we are doing some heavy work together, I believe humour is an important part of our time together, so kleenex and laughs are part of the process.
​
I am originally from Ontario, (don’t hold that against me) but the West Coast specifically on the traditional unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw people’s land has been my home for many years. I would describe myself as passionate, and energetic with a healthy dose of optimism. I enjoy running, spending time with family and friends and being active in social justice movements. I am a partner and mother, and my family was created through adoption. I am also a professor at a post-secondary university teaching in the area of trauma.
​​
Areas of Specialty
​​
​​Children/Youth: Kids and youth are awesome! I love working with them and walking alongside them in their growing and sometimes their healing journey. I utilize play, art, and activities in my sessions with kids and youth. Our office is filled with” fun stuff” and I create sessions geared toward the child/youth’s interest. Areas of focus are anxiety, depression, self-harm, trauma experiences, abuse and neglect, school-related issues, challenging behaviours, identity, grief and loss, foster care experiences and adoption-related topics.
​
Parenting: Have kids they said, it would be fun they said….. Parenting can be very rewarding AND it can also be super hard. Sometimes having an outside perspective and a plan for moving forward can help you in your parenting journey. The goal of my parenting counselling support is for you to gain tools and strategies that help you feel empowered within your role as a parent and focus on relationship building and attachment to strengthen your bond and connection. I have experience in working with all family types, single parents, blended, foster, and adoption, grandparents raising grandchildren and LGTBQ+ 2 spirited parents.
​
Adoption/Permanency Planning Counselling
Building your family through adoption/permanency is unique and exciting, it also means navigating situations and experiences that biological families may not. I have worked in the permanency planning field for 20 years supporting children youth and families as they grieve attach, bond and connect. I am also a mother through adoption and this experience has provided an in-depth understanding of the process and the highs and lows of family formation through adoption/permanency. I work from a trauma-informed lens using a child-centered, solution-focused approach. This service can also include consultations for:
-
Proposal Package Consultation
-
Transition Plan Consultation
-
Openness Plans & Mediation
-
Cultural Plans
Individuals: Over the years I have worked with so many amazing and resilient people. People who have experienced grief and loss, trauma and violence, inter-generational trauma and many other inner wounds inflicted by others or a system. Safety is key when working through past traumas and it is foundational to our time together. Although trauma is heavy, I utilize a strength-based approach that focuses on trust, collaboration, empowerment and choice. I have seen healing in action, it is possible, and it can happen.
Therapeutic Modalities:
-
Attachment-Based Therapy
-
Solution Focused Therapy
-
Family Systems Theory
-
Narrative Therapy
-
Activity and play-based modalities
-
Strength-based or Asset-based model
-
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
-
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT)
​
Education:
-
Bachelor of Arts in Child & Youth Care from the University of Victoria
-
Master of Social Work, with a specialization in children and families from The University of Toronto
I am a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and I am a Registered Social Worker with BCCSW and BCASW.
I am currently an approved counsellor with The First Nations Health Authority, Crime Victims Assistance (CVAP), and can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors and/or Registered Social Workers then these appointments should be covered.
​
​
​