Ashley Hord

My love for social work began long before I knew that social work was a profession. From a young age, I was passionate about helping people and loved to engage in meaningful conversations with others. My decision to pursue social work as a career came after witnessing the experiences of a family member who needed support with their mental health, who did not receive it. As a child, I watched them struggle to navigate through their challenges and difficulties. So, when I grew up and found out that I could get a job supporting others who are navigating their own set of challenges, it was an easy decision to make. I graduated with my Bachelors of Social Work in 2013 and have been working in the field of Child and Youth Mental Health ever since.

Emotions can be challenging, confusing and frustrating, and can cause us to act in ways that we usually wouldn’t. I work with each of my clients to support them in gaining insight and understanding into their “why” questions…. Why do I feel these emotions? Why am I stuck? Why is change difficult? Why do I respond in the ways that I do? After uncovering the answers to these questions, change usually isn’t too far away, and we can then begin our work to create positive and sustainable changes that lead to emotional wellness.

Using child-friendly and engaging activities, my practice is guided by evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Counselling, and Collaborative Problem Solving. These modalities will be the foundation of the work we engage in together.

Fun fact: I feel my happiest when I am around a campfire with my loved ones. Bonus points if there are marshmallows and chocolate there too….