Many of the skills that you learn from all your experience throughout your mental health career can be brought into the session room with a client - when done ethically and when asked for!
Ashley worked as a nurse for many years in public health before deciding to return to university to get her masters, and move into Canadian private practice. She now uses both psychotherapy and nursing skills in private practice!
In this podcast episode, Ashley and I discuss her journey into Canadian private practice, as well as how she works with clients, offering walk and talk therapy, and how she brings in all her expertise in a way that allows her to do her best work with her clients.
MEET ASHLEY
Ashley is a Registered Nurse and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario, Canada, and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional. She owns a private practice, Whispering Pines Counselling & Wellness, dedicated to women's health and wellness. Ashley's mission is to help women feel empowered to prioritize their wellbeing, know their worth, and live unapologetically.
Learn more about Ashley on her practice website, Instagram, or LinkTree page.
In this episode:
From nursing to therapy
Going into private practice
Dual licenses
Offering walk and talk therapy
Ashley's advice to listeners
From nursing to therapy
Ashley had worked as a nurse in public health, and during the last five years, she started doing home visits with clients, which encouraged her to return to university to learn how to become a therapist.
As Ashley explains, in nursing school they are taught a baseline of counselling skills in all areas to prepare them. But to help people more professionally and effectively, Ashley knew that she needed - and wanted - to get a further education.
Going into private practice
Although Ashley left public health in 2021, she had already started working on her masters degree in 2020.
At the end of 2022, Ashley completed her masters, and started in private practice in April of that year. She recently signed up with a local university to be a part-time clinical instructor.
Dual licenses
Because Ashley is a licensed nurse and psychotherapist, she can draw on both professions and experiences to help clients.
For her clients, they charge their insurance for her psychotherapy and then add in elements of nursing, if any was given or was applicable.
During sessions, Ashley will inform her clients that she's "putting on her nurse hat" when wanting to discuss certain questions.
Offering walk and talk therapy
From June 2023, Ashley started offering walk and talk therapy services to her clients, and it's been successful so far!
The trails that they take are often more private, so they know that the sessions can be conducted without much interference from others.
Ashley has structured her online booking with Jane App so that her clients can easily contact her and mention for which service they would like to see her through, whether that's virtual or for a walk and talk session.
Her official office space opens up in early January so that she can begin seeing clients in-person. To save on expenses, Ashley is sharing the office space with a massage therapist.
Ashley's advice to listeners
Listen to your heart and your gut, because sometimes your head can turn you into a different direction due to fear or nervousness. The whole point of private practice is doing what you want to do, and making it work for you!
Connect with me:
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 104: Angela Bishop: Build Your Career in Canadian Private Practice | EP 104
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Ashley on her practice website, Instagram, or LinkTree page.
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