Qualifications and Training

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology/Anthropology/English) - University of Newcastle

Graduate Diploma of Psychology - University of New England

Graduate Diploma of Trauma-Informed Processwork Psychotherapy- Pathways Psychology Institute

Master of Counselling- Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC)

Advanced Certificate in Meditation Teaching and Holistic Human Development- The Meditation Teacher Training College

Diploma of Meditation Teaching - The Meditation Teacher Training College

Certified EFT Practitioner - EFTMRA/EFT and Mindfulness Centre

Clinical EFT Practitioner Training, and Clinical EFT Trauma training- Evidence Based EFT

Post Graduate, Two Year Study Program in Process Work Psychotherapy - Australia New Zealand Process Oriented Psychology (ANZPOP)

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC, PACFA)

About Me

I’m Ashley Karstunen, a Registered Clinical Counsellor and trauma‑informed depth therapist. I support people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally burdened, or disconnected from themselves, and who are seeking meaningful and lasting change rather than quick fixes.

My work is grounded in the understanding that healing happens when the whole person is involved—mind, body, emotions, and inner experience. I integrate clinical counselling, depth‑oriented and Process Oriented psychotherapy, somatic and nervous‑system regulation based therapy, Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), mindfulness, meditation, and meaning‑centred approaches to support clients in working with stress, trauma, and life transitions at a pace that feels safe and respectful.

Since 2017, I’ve worked across a wide range of mental health and community settings, including non‑government organisations supporting people with lifelong mental health conditions, suicide prevention programs within NSW Health, Carer Gateway, Cancer Council NSW, and most recently within the Victorian university system, supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing. Alongside this professional work, I’ve remained actively engaged in community care, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities, and have facilitated mindfulness‑ and contemplative‑based groups in community settings.

This breadth of experience informs a practice that is both clinically grounded and deeply relational. I understand that distress doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s shaped by personal history, trauma, relationships, identity, social systems, and the ways we’ve learned to survive.

My Approach

My approach is trauma‑informed, collaborative, and rooted in nervous‑system awareness. I focus on creating a therapeutic space that feels steady, attuned, and non‑judgemental, where change unfolds rather than being forced.

Depending on your needs, our work may involve learning practical tools to manage anxiety and overwhelm, building emotional regulation and resilience, gently processing unresolved experiences, or exploring deeper patterns and inner challenges that continue to shape your life. Throughout this process, the goal is integration—supporting experiences that once felt overwhelming or fragmented to become more understandable, workable, and less burdensome.

What It’s Like to Work With Me

People I work with often describe the therapy space as grounding, thoughtful, and spacious. Many come to me after feeling rushed, misunderstood, or pathologised elsewhere, and are looking for an approach that honours both their lived experience and their capacity for growth.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We begin where you are, working gradually toward greater emotional stability, self‑trust, meaning, and a deeper sense of alignment in your life.

Outside the Therapy Room

Outside of my clinical work, I’m a lifelong learner with a strong contemplative practice. I enjoy creative writing, reading across psychology, philosophy, and literature, spending time in nature, meditation, yoga, gaming, and good coffee. I also train in Goju‑ryu Karate, Yoshinkan Aikido, and Kodokan Judo—disciplines that continue to shape how I understand embodiment, presence, and the integration of practice into daily life.

Proud member of Cancer Counselling Professionals and the Victorian Inclusive Practitioners directory.

Please click on the names to be taken to their website.

Special thanks to Vintage Aura Photography for the photographs, and to FleetFoot Pro for the logo