Ashley Karstunen, PACFA
Trauma-informed counsellor with mindfulness expertise
- Trauma-informed care
- Mindfulness and somatic tools
- LGBTQ+ and grief support
About Ashley Karstunen
Ashley Karstunen is a compassion-driven therapist who combines depth work with practical strategies to help people move from overwhelm toward greater clarity and resilience. He holds PACFA credential - the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - and brings a range of formal trainings to his practice, including roles as a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Trauma-Informed Depth Psychotherapist, Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher, and Somatic EFT Practitioner.
Ashley has been working with clients since 2017, supporting people through anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, relationship breakdowns, grief and loss, compassion fatigue and burnout, post-traumatic stress, histories of abuse, and difficulties related to self-image and anger. He also attends to existential and life-purpose concerns and offers informed support for LGBTQ+ and People of Colour specific issues.
His approach is integrative and tailored to each person, blending person-centered and strengths-based counseling with Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Clinical EFT/Tapping, and somatic and mindfulness-based interventions. He also draws on trauma-informed depth psychotherapy traditions, including Process-Oriented and Post-Jungian somatic methods, alongside existential psychotherapy and logotherapy.
Ashley emphasizes a collaborative, exploratory process that balances bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspectives with concrete tools for coping and growth. He aims to help people release stuck patterns, ease emotional pain, and reconnect with a more grounded, empowered sense of self, turning difficult experiences into opportunities for insight and change.
Ashley has been working with clients since 2017, supporting people through anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, relationship breakdowns, grief and loss, compassion fatigue and burnout, post-traumatic stress, histories of abuse, and difficulties related to self-image and anger. He also attends to existential and life-purpose concerns and offers informed support for LGBTQ+ and People of Colour specific issues.
His approach is integrative and tailored to each person, blending person-centered and strengths-based counseling with Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Clinical EFT/Tapping, and somatic and mindfulness-based interventions. He also draws on trauma-informed depth psychotherapy traditions, including Process-Oriented and Post-Jungian somatic methods, alongside existential psychotherapy and logotherapy.
Ashley emphasizes a collaborative, exploratory process that balances bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspectives with concrete tools for coping and growth. He aims to help people release stuck patterns, ease emotional pain, and reconnect with a more grounded, empowered sense of self, turning difficult experiences into opportunities for insight and change.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Attachment issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterFamily of origin issuesGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMoney and financial issuesObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Ashley Karstunen have?
Ashley has 6 years of clinical experience.
Is Ashley Karstunen a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the PACFA credential - the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
In which languages does Ashley Karstunen provide therapy?
Ashley provides therapy in English.
Where is Ashley Karstunen located?
Ashley is located in Australia.
How can I work with Ashley Karstunen as my therapist?
You can work with Ashley through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Ashley Karstunen work with international clients?
Ashley does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Ashley Karstunen cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
How Ashley’s Therapeutic Approaches Work Online
Ashley draws on client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client's experience guides the pace and shape of work. This approach focuses on empathy, active listening, and helping people identify and use their own strengths to address challenges.He also integrates existential therapy to explore meaning, values, and life-purpose questions that often arise with grief, burnout, or major transitions. This work helps people clarify what matters and make choices that align with their sense of self.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Ashley treats that as a collaborative process. He works with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, combining depth-oriented reflection with practical tools when appropriate.
Online sessions - whether by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging - offer flexibility and easier access to ongoing support. These options make it simpler to maintain consistency in therapy, try different formats to suit comfort and schedule, and receive timely guidance between in-person opportunities.