Hello and welcome to Ashley Bergman Child & Family Therapy! Congratulations! You have taken the courageous first step to living a more fulfilling life by showing up today!
I realize that it often isn't easy for any of us to open up to someone we do not know, which is why building a healthy therapeutic relationship is so incredibly important to establish with any service provider. Building the therapeutic alliance as far as I am concerned, is THE MOST important first step in working effectively with every individual that comes through my door. Trust needs to be earned, and trusting a therapist and feeling comfortable to share freely, lays the imperative foundation for the therapeutic process to unfold for the "magic" to happen.
So here is a little bit about me, to start us both on this journey of getting to know one another!
As a child, I was fortunate to experience what it is like to go to summer camp, an experience which has really helped to shape me into the person I am today and along with life circumstances, led me to become a Social Worker.
Camp allowed me the opportunity to foster my love and appreciation for nature, play and working with children. As soon as I was of the age to, I became staff at a sleepover camp followed by a day camp, where I went on to work in a managerial role for five years. In this regard, I possess an extensive background working with children of differing ages, cultural backgrounds and from all walks of life and it all started in camp settings. It was here where my passion to work with children grew immensely, and became increasingly apparent to those around me, but I wanted to do even more.
I found myself working closely with children who were acting out behaviourally, emotionally, having social difficulties, and even experiencing neglect and/or abuse in their homes. I witnessed children impacted by a variety of circumstances each and every day, and it was at this point in my life where I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Social Work so that I could help these children, formally.
And so I persued such a career and I am beyond thankful that I did. They say you never work a day in your life if you love what you do, and this couldn't be further from the truth for me. I absolutely love being a Social Worker and Child & Family Therapist, and could not imagine spending so much of my life doing anything else.
As a graduate of the Masters of Social Work program in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, I specialize in working with Children and their Families. I have excelled in academia and Graduated with Distinction from both McMaster University as well as the University of Toronto. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology as well as a Bachelor of Social Work as well, both of which were obtained in tandem at McMaster University.
I am committed to and engage in professional development and I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as well as Applied Suicide Intervention Skill’s Training (ASIST). In addition, I am a Triple P Positive Parenting Group Facilitator and have run such groups within the agency I work for. In addition, I operate from a Strengths Based perspective as well as incorporate Solution Focused Therapy into my everyday practice with those I work with and in my daily life. I have seen first hand, what is possible when we focus on solutions and capitalize on strengths to propel us forward in this life and many of those I have worked with have reported that this is what sets me apart from other therapists they have gone to in the past.
Many children, youth and families that I have worked with have told me time and time again that they prefer this approach, because not everyone likes to delve into what for many, can be a painful past. It is however, sometimes needed and it is my responsibility to ensure that it is strategically done in a safe manner using a narrative approach. You are the expert in your own life and are the author of your story, and it is my job to come to understand your truth. Sometimes we need to know where we have come from to know where we are going, and I can help you draw the map to help you get there and build traction to do so.
I currently hold registration with the Ontario Association of Social Workers, the Ontario College of Social Worker’s, Golden Key International Honour Society as well as the Canadian Association of Child and Play Therapy. I have held these memberships in good standing for several years.
I am bound my the ethics of my profession as laid forth by the Ontario College of Social Worker's and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) which I uphold to the highest degree. I whole heartedly believe that those I work with have the right to self-determination and should have equal access to high quality therapy services that are evidenced based.
I have worked as a Social Worker in a variety of settings including long-term care, a children's rehabilitation hospital, a school board, two child welfare agencies and for over 5 years, I worked Full Time within the largest children's mental health agency in York Region. For over 5 years, I have provided services through my very busy private practice, and I am so grateful to be able to do what I love, with the most amazing people!
Over the last 15 years, I have provided social work services to individuals, groups, children and families with a wide array of difficulties from birth and onwards. Service provision has included assessment, creation of individualized service plans, resource counselling, therapy, empowerment, advocacy as well as referrals to appropriate community agencies.
I have a lot of experience with, and continue to work with individuals impacted by anxiety, depression, school avoidance, poor self-esteem, trauma, divorce and separation, abuse, violence, addiction, trauma, grief and loss, anger, ADD, ADHD, autism, adoption, as well as physical health issues (to name a few).
Mental health and physical health challenges can often impact several members of a family and take a toll on parents, children and siblings. I have seen first hand just how complex circumstances can be and I feel so fortunate to be entrusted by many to help strengthen families when it's needed the most.
I have helped many parents whose children are exhibiting many of the challenges previously listed, because parenting can be extremely difficult to do when your child has mental health and/or behavioural difficulties or is simply going through a really difficult time due to difficulty life circumstances. Perhaps you are a parent of multiple children with varying needs, this is so incredibly challenging. It can even feel as though you are barely getting by from day to day and lead to feelings of helplesslessness. The good thing is I am here! Here to empower you to engage in self-care, set healthy limits, and I can teach you how to empower your child to fulfil their dreams and fullest potential while assisting them to get well or enhance their skill set.
In addition to working with children, youth and families impacted by mental health, behavioural, social and emotional difficulties, I am also extremely passionate about reducing the impact of issues impacting First Nations Metis and Inuit (FNMI) individuals and families. I work with individuals and families who identify as Indigenous whom have been impacted by the Residential School System & 50's & 60's Scoop through the form of intergenerational trauma. I am able to incorporate traditional methods of healing into therapy sessions when requested and deemed appropriate, which may include the use of the medicine wheel teachings, smudging and incorporating nature into the therapeutic process. I am of mixed background but I am very connected to my Indigenous roots and heritage and it brings me great joy to be able to help my community heal, one individual or family at a time. I was an active member and an elected Board Member at a local Friendship Centre for 2 years as well, on a voluntary basis.
In 2021 I co-founded an Indigenous initiative and in 2022, it became a registered Not for Profit Organization. I am actively involved in all operations of our organization which provides workshops to Indigenous community members as well as events for all community members to enjoy, in York Region. In this regard, I am actively involved in community development work which is a huge part of my life and what I do, and something that I am extremely honoured to be a part of on a daily basis.
I also thoroughly enjoyed teaching an Introduction to Counselling Course as well as an Introduction to Family Counselling at a local college within the Indigenous Studies Program, where I had a hand in helping the future helpers acquire the knowledge needed to do this incredible work.
As a therapist, I operate from a Strengths Based perspective, where together we can discover and capitalize on your strengths throughout the therapeutic process. Even when you feel as though perhaps you are not good at anything, or do not possess strength or skills, you do! You have managed to get to this point, and so it is my job to help you realize what it is that has been working for you thus far, and minimize was has been working against you. Once we discover this, I can help you to build on those strengths to promote positive and meaningful change in your own life.
I am dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of those I work with throughout the process, and have devoted my life to this. I opened Ashley Bergman Child & Family Therapy because I was seeing all too often, the negative impact wait lists can have in the community for families who simply cannot afford to wait any longer to access support. I did so with the aim to help as many people as I can, WHEN they need it! As a mother, I cannot imagine my child needing support and having to wait for services, because time is precious, and children cannot afford to wait. I am also actively evolving my practice to refrain from having any sort of waitlist for services, and if this means I need to hire additional well qualified and carefully selected Therapists to assist me in meeting the needs of the community, I will do so without hesitation.
Seeing those I work with meet their goals, increase their ability to cope and ultimately free themselves from the burdens that have held them back for years and even decades, is why I do this work. We ALL deserve to be happy and as well as possible.
Life is unpredictable and often times, things happen that we least expect and can take us completely off course. It can be exhausting and deflating trying to get back to the life we had before, and can even feel impossible. The good news is, I truly believe that we are all capable of increasing our ability to cope and know this to be true. We just need to learn additional ways to do so and when we do, and the curve balls of life are thrown at us, we are prepared and able to respond in a way that helps us thrive despite adversity.
Should you decide that I am a good fit for YOU, I would love nothing more than to be given the opportunity to assist you in meeting your individualized goals and dreams. I thank you in advance for taking some time to learn a little about me, my experience and all that I have to offer as a clinician.
I look forward to the opportunity of getting to know you, and I am here to arm you with the tools needed to thrive in this life so that you can live the most fulfilling life possible. You deserve nothing less.
Always remember, you are not alone
January 2010-May 2010
Social Worker in a Long Term Care Facility
September 2010-June 2011
School Based Social Worker
September 2011 - April 2012
Outpatient Social Worker within a Children's Rehabilitation Hospital working with children and youth who suffered Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI's).
July 2012-January 2015
Child Protection Intake & Family Worker in York Region & Toronto.
September 2015-June 2016
0-6 Case Worker In a Children's Mental Health Agency in York Region.
June 2016-February 2020
Child & Family Therapist in Day Treatment within a Children's Mental Health Agency in York Region.
November 2019-February 2020
School Based Child & Family Therapist on Georgina Island working with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation children and families.
November 2019-March 2020
Community Services Development Consultant for an Indigenous agency to enhance the Aging at Home Program in York Region and South Simcoe in Southern Ontario.
September 2019-Present
Owner and Operator of Ashley Bergman Child & Family Therapy where I provide individual, couple and family therapy services to children, teens and adults. I also provide a variety of workshops to local agencies on topics including but not limited to: intergenerational trauma, parenting, emotional regulation and attachment. I am also an Non Insured Health Benefits Provider (NIHB) and Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP) provider as well, whereby I work with Indigenous community members impacted by Mental Health and/or are survivors or descendants of survivors of the Residential School System in Canada to reduce the long lasting impacts of intergenerational trauma.
July 2020-July 2022
Was an active, elected Board Member of a local Native Friendship Centre. This volunteer position was an entrusted role I did not take lightly and one that I was honoured to be able to fulfil. It allowed me to be of service to the greater Indigenous community in which I am a member.
September 2021-Present
In September 2021 I Co-Founded an Indigenous initiative in York Region which has since become a Not for Profit Organization as of June, 2022. Within it, we provide cultural workshops and teachings for Indigenous community members, mental health workshops as well as events for all community members to enjoy. I am very passionate about the community development work we are doing in York Region and the incredible people I have come to know along the way.
September 2022-April 2023
I was a Professor within a local College whereby I teach Introduction to Counselling and Introduction to Family Counselling , within the Indigenous Studies Program. Within this role, I had the honour of passing along knowledge to the future generation of helpers, and I thoroughly enjoy teaching workshops within my practice, and truly enjoyed teaching within a classroom setting as .
If you are in crisis or in need of immediate assistance, you can contact Kid's Help Phone Toll Free 24/7 at 1 800 668 6868, or Text CONNECT to 68 68 68 from your mobile device, and a certified counsellor will assist you!
If you are in crisis or in need of immediate assistance, you can contact York Support Services Networks Community Crisis Response Team by dialing their Toll Free Number: 1 866 323 7785 (York Region) or 1 855 310 2673 (SImcoe County).
If you are at risk of harming yourself or others, call 911 or go to your local emergency department lat the nearest hospital.
If you are under 17, are experiencing sadness, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, aggressive and threatening behaviour, OR if you have concerns about your teen who is under the age of 17, because they are exhibiting disturbing or unusual behaviour, please contact the Crisis Line at: 1 888 893 8333
If you are in Ontario, are a woman and have experienced abuse of any kind and are in need of support, please contact the 24/7 telephone helpline Toll Free at 1 866 863 0511.
If you are feeling sad, distressed and are in need support, call the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1 855 242 3310 (Crisis Line). Support is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French.