Ashley Bylsma, LLMSW

NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
 
I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults alongside their families through therapy. I have a person centered approach to therapy allowing for treatment to be individualized as one size does not fit all! It is important for me to build a working relationship with my clients and their parents to best come alongside and support them in their journey. I aim to create a safe and engaging space for individuals and families to feel supported and meet their goals. I am all about incorporating activities, games, and things kids love into our sessions to foster engagement and create a space they enjoy being in as therapy can often feel scary and overwhelming. 

Here’s a little bit more about my background. I graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University and then graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and their caregivers in schools, child welfare, and home-based therapy. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, trauma, life adjustments, relational and social issues, family issues, and grief. I have experience and training in a variety of treatment models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), motivational interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and play therapy. I also have experience in working with parents and am currently being trained to be certified in Parent Management Training of Oregon (PMTO). 

Additionally, in my freetime I enjoy reading books, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and doing arts and crafts. I have grown up and live in West Michigan, I love animals and have a number of pets (and counting), and my favorite place is the beach! 

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little bit better. Choosing to come to therapy takes a lot of courage and vulnerability, and I aim to create a warm and inviting environment for all. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you in reaching your goals.