About Gretchen
Gretchen Ashman is an AASW social worker with seven years of professional experience in Australia. She supports people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or depression. Gretchen also helps with family conflict, trauma and abuse, and issues around self‑esteem and motivation.
Gretchen aims to make therapy a calm, approachable space. She encourages people to share thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Her way of working is collaborative - she listens, reflects, and helps people find practical next steps.
Background and approach
Gretchen often helps people uncover the sources of guilt, shame or loneliness. She supports those struggling with social anxiety and phobia, and with questions about life purpose and self‑love. Sessions focus on what matters most to the person in front of her.
She believes change begins with small, steady steps. Conversations include practical strategies and space to process difficult memories and emotions. Gretchen works at a pace set by each individual, and adjusts her approach as needs evolve.
People who come to Gretchen are often looking for honest, straightforward support. She talks through coping tools, communication strategies and ways to build confidence. Her aim is to help people feel more able to manage the day‑to‑day, and to move towards clearer goals.
How therapeutic approaches work online
Gretchen uses evidence‑based techniques that focus on practical change and emotional processing. One common approach she uses helps people learn coping skills for stress and anxiety, such as breathing, grounding and step‑by‑step exposure to feared situations. These tools are intended to reduce immediate overwhelm and build confidence over time.Another approach she draws on supports people to process past hurt and trauma through paced conversation and reflection. This work helps make difficult memories less intrusive and improves emotional regulation, which can reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood.
Choosing the right method is a collaborative process. Gretchen will discuss goals and preferences with each person and try options that match their needs. She checks in regularly and adjusts techniques as progress is made or when new goals emerge.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy lives. Video calls allow face‑to‑face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check‑in is needed. Live chat and text‑based messaging work well for frequent, brief support and for people who prefer writing to speaking. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into work, study and family commitments.
Questions people ask
What concerns does she help with?
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How much experience does she have?
What are her credentials and where is she based?
Can I have sessions in another language or from another country?
What session formats are available?
How much do sessions cost?
How do I begin therapy with her?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
Also listed
- Experience
- 7 years
- Licensed
- Languages
- English
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