Ashleigh Martinez, ACSW
“Take a day to heal from the lies you’ve told yourself and the ones that have been told to you.”
Life is messy and although that is to be expected, sometimes there are things that happen in our life that impact us in ways we don’t understand (yet). Maybe we can feel it in our body and heart, but we’re unsure of how to process the hurt or even name it. I’m curious about the journey that led you here, and where you want to go. My role is to collaborate with you and create the care that feels right for you. You are the expert of your own life, not me, your significant other, doctor, or anyone else.
As a therapist, and fellow therapy seeker, I understand the importance of relationship. Building trust in a relationship takes time - I earn your trust through how I show up as your therapist, and putting in the effort to connect and be vulnerable. I became a therapist because I wanted to provide a way of caring that I did not have access to when I needed it most. We are all humans trying to exist in a world that works so hard to keep us busy, disconnected, and detached. This work matters to me because each and every one of us need connection and belonging to move from surviving to thriving.
How I work…
My practice is grounded in authenticity, transparency, liberation, and tenderness. My intention is to create a space where you can show up as exactly as you are. A professor in college once told me, “I love you in first draft” and it changed the way I thought about myself. It gave me the space to be me, to screw up, to learn, and change. I mean it when I say, “I love you in first draft” because what I’m saying is you are welcome as you are, there is no need for you to be anything else. If you’re reading this, I’m proud of you because I know that coming this far can feel like the biggest step. I’m glad you’re here, and when you’re ready, don’t hesitate to reach out :)
Education:
Ashleigh Martinez, ACSW is a registered associate clinical social worker at Whole Wellness Therapy.
MSW, Smith College School of Social Work - Northampton, MA (2024)
B.A. Interpersonal Communications, CSU, Sacramento (2022)
Certifications/Trainings:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Art Therapy (Practicum)
Play Therapy
Suicide/Crisis Assessment
Motivational Interviewing
Gottman Training (Level 1)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR - Basic Training)
Ashleigh provides in-person and online therapy in CA to teens, adults and couples.
More About Ashleigh:
Ashleigh is an Associate Clinical Social Worker at the practice and has a diverse background, gaining experience in the medical field, non-profit sector, higher education, and research. She is also an integral part of the School Services Team at CommuniCareOLE Health, providing teens and young adults with mental health services, SEL skill building, and case management. Her work is deeply rooted in liberation, tenderness, and compassion. Her clinical approach is informed by psychodynamic theory, however she utilizes different modalities such as Internal Family Systems, Liberation Health Framework, Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and TF-CBT. Ashleigh is passionate about BIPOC and Queer liberation, decolonizing mental health, disability and social justice, mutual aid, and community wellbeing. Outside the office, Ashleigh loves to be in the water, stroll local bookstores (always leaving with new books), host dinner parties, snuggle her cat, and create with her Cricut.
California Board of Behavioral Sciences Registration Number: ASW126652
Supervised by Jamie Johnson, MS, LPCC #LPCC9506
Serving clients in-person at our Midtown location, and providing online therapy throughout California.
