Ashley
Hansen
Marriage and Family Therapist
My Approach
Hi! I’m Ashley Hansen, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in beautiful Pacifica, California. With 20 years of experience in mental health and over 12 years in private practice, I’m passionate about supporting individuals, couples, and families on their journey towards healing and growth.​
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As a warm and caring therapist, I believe in meeting clients where they are, bringing empathy, authenticity, humor and a down-to-earth understanding into every session. I strive to create a safe space where you feel seen and heard. I provide honest feedback and practical interventions to help you reach your therapeutic goals.
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For over twenty years, I have developed expertise in areas such as relational therapy, attachment theory, internal family systems, trauma informed therapy, maternal mental health, birth story medicine, couples therapy, sex and intimacy support, alternative relationship dynamics, and navigating life transitions. My goal is to support people in making meaningful changes that lead to deeper connections and enhanced well-being.​
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Couples
Therapy
In today’s fast-paced world, couples face numerous challenges that can impact their relationship. I help partners navigate these changes and obstacles effectively. Through a supportive and non-judgmental environment, I facilitate open communication, fostering a deeper understanding of each partner’s needs, emotions, and experiences. I help by:
1. Identifying Patterns: I begin with identifying recurring patterns and behaviors that may contribute to conflicts. I help couples recognize these dynamics and understand their origins, empowering them to make informed choices moving forward.
2. Enhancing Communication: I teach effective communication strategies, enabling couples to express their feelings and needs constructively. This skill is essential for resolving conflicts and building trust, ensuring both partners feel heard and valued.
3. Navigating Life Stages: As couples progress through various life stages— parenthood, career changes, or retirement— I provide guidance tailored to the unique challenges associated with each phase. The goal is to adapt to these transitions while maintaining a strong emotional connection.
4. Addressing Obstacles: Whether it’s dealing with financial stress, infidelity, illness, grief or differing values and goals, I will help equip partners with the tools to address these obstacles collaboratively. I will encourage problem-solving and compromise, fostering a sense of teamwork.
5. Navigating Betrayal: If you are dealing with issues like infidelity or betrayal, we will create a structured approach to rebuilding trust. This involves open conversations about the impact of the betrayal and collaboratively developing a roadmap for healing.
6. Strengthening Bond: Through exercises and discussions focused on vulnerability, intimacy, and appreciation, couples learn to strengthen their emotional bond. I will help you rediscover shared interests and values, paving the way for a more fulfilling partnership.
7. Promoting Personal Growth: I recognize that individual well-being is crucial for a healthy relationship. I encourage self-reflection, personal growth and self-awareness, which ultimately enhances the relationship.
8. Co-Parenting Challenges: For couples facing separation or divorce, I can assist in navigating co-parenting dynamics, ensuring that the focus remains on the well-being of your children. We will work on establishing effective communication strategies that prioritize your children’s needs while maintaining respect for each other.
By providing a safe space for dialogue and exploration, I help empower partners to navigate the complexities of their relationship with compassion and understanding. This journey not only helps couples overcome current challenges but also equips them with lasting skills to thrive together through future changes. I use evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method.
Individual
Therapy
I am a psychodynamic therapist who integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and strengths-based interventions into my practice. This eclectic approach allows me to explore the deeper emotional and psychological patterns influencing behavior while also equipping clients with practical tools for change. By combining these therapeutic modalities, I aim to foster personal insight, resilience, and empowerment in my clients, helping them navigate their challenges effectively.
Maternal
Mental
Health
As a specialist in maternal mental health, I offer individual and group therapy for mamas, addressing everything from relationship changes to postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. I have advanced training in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Birth Story Medicine and Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy —tools I use to empower women through their unique experiences. I also volunteered as a Postpartum Support International Coordinator offering support, information and resources for families in San Mateo County and San Francisco County.
BIRTH STORY MEDICINE
Birth story medicine is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals process and heal from their childbirth experiences. Whether the birth experience was positive, challenging, or traumatic, birth story medicine provides an opportunity for parents to explore and make sense of their feelings and memories surrounding the birth. This process can help individuals integrate their experiences, allowing them to find meaning, healing, and closure.
In practice, birth story medicine typically involves creating a space where parents can openly share their birth narratives in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Therapists trained in this modality help clients explore the emotional and psychological aspects of their birth stories, which can lead to greater understanding and acceptance. This approach is beneficial for parents who may experience feelings of grief, disappointment, trauma, or even joy and empowerment from their birth experience.
By processing their stories, clients often gain clarity on their experiences, resolve lingering emotional distress, and find ways to incorporate these life events into their broader life narrative in a healthy way.
Walk
and
Talk
Therapy
Walk and talk therapy is a form of psychotherapy that takes place outdoors while walking, rather than in a traditional indoor office setting. This therapeutic approach allows clients to engage in counseling sessions while physically moving, often in beautiful outdoor settings like parks or trails. There are amazing trails, that are very accessible, in Pacifica and Montara, that are great for this!
Here are some benefits of walk and talk therapy:
Physical Movement: Walking helps integrate physical activity into the therapeutic process, which can boost mood and reduce anxiety. Exercise is known for releasing endorphins, which can enhance overall well-being.
Natural Setting: Being in nature can have a calming and restorative effect, reducing stress and improving mental clarity and focus. This environment can promote a sense of freedom and relaxation.
Enhanced Communication: For some, walking side by side with a therapist, rather than sitting face-to-face, can encourage more open and relaxed communication. It can help ease the pressure of direct eye contact, making conversations more comfortable, especially when discussing difficult topics.
Improved Engagement: The dynamic nature of walking can make therapy feel more engaging and less formal, helping clients feel more connected to the process.
Mind-Body Connection: The physical movement involved can help clients connect their mental and emotional experiences with their physical sensations, promoting a holistic approach to mental health.
Accessibility and Flexibility: Walk and talk therapy can be more accessible for clients who prefer outdoor environments or for whom traditional therapy settings are uncomfortable.
Contact Me
​​I am dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for clients of all sexualities, demographics, and cultural backgrounds. I believe that every individual deserves access to supportive and understanding mental health care. My practice embraces diversity and is committed to respecting and honoring the unique experiences and identities of each client. Together, we will work to address your concerns and foster personal growth in a space where you feel valued and understood.
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Whether you’re facing significant challenges or simply want to maintain your well-being, therapy is for you. I offer telehealth, in-person sessions, and walk-and-talk options. For new parents, I can meet you in your home or at the hospital if needed.
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I am here for you! Please free to call, text, email or use the contact form below. I look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have. I offer free consultations to help you navigate this journey.
Pacifica, California
Tel: (650) 302-6802
Email: AshleyHansenMFT@gmail.com