Hi there!
I'm Ashlea Tait, a Master of Counselling student at the University of Lethbridge. After nearly three years in the program, I am excited to bring my education, experience, and passion for helping others into the therapy room.
Before pursuing counselling, I worked as a Registered Nurse for more than 15 years, supporting both pediatric and adult patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. Throughout my nursing career, I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of emotional well-being and meaningful human connection. This inspired me to further my education and transition into counselling, where I can support individuals and couples in navigating challenges, exploring their experiences, and creating meaningful change.
Becoming a mother further shaped this journey. Like many women, I experienced the joys, challenges, and adjustments that can come with pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. These experiences deepened my understanding of how transformative these seasons of life can be and strengthened my passion for supporting others through life's transitions with compassion, understanding, and practical support.
I am currently completing my practicum at Healing Journey Collective in Calgary, Alberta, under the supervision of Simone Swenson, Registered Psychologist. I look forward to walking alongside clients as they work toward greater understanding, healing, and personal growth.
Areas of Focus
- Trauma informed Care
- Adult individuals and couples
- Navigating the mental load
- Non-traditional relationships
- Parenthood
- Career changes
- Relocation
- Women’s mental health
- Birth or pregnancy trauma
- Infertility
- Perimenopause and hormonal transitions
- Postpartum depression and anxiety
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
My Approach
My approach to therapy is person-centred. I will not pretend to know you better than you know yourself. You are so much more than the concerns and challenges you bring into the therapy room and I will work diligently to help you see this. I will meet you where you are.
At this time, I draw from a few different modalities that will help guide the work we do together:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Gottman Method Therapy
My goal in therapy is to help you to build the awareness of your strengths. Together we will work towards developing tools that you can take beyond the therapy room. The goal is not perfection, but rather the opportunity to live life in a whole-hearted way.
Outside of the Office
You will likely find me chasing around my determined toddler or spending time with my husband, close family, and friends. Otherwise you will likely find me with my nose in a book or my hands in the garden.