I'm Ashley Talbot,
It's so great to meet you!
I am 38, married, a mom, and becoming a therapist is my 3rd career! I am a poster-child for the non-linear career pathway. I hold the professional titles of Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Career Development Practitioner. However, those are just technical words to describe what I am passionate about - helping others thrive at work and in life! We all have that one subject we can talk nonstop about - for me, that is careers and work/life. I have had an eventful journey getting to this point, and I hope that sharing some of my story and timeline inspires others to reach for things that may seem out of grasp.
I have a business backround, working for 10 years in Human Resources and Career Development. I have had the privilege of serving a diverse community in a variety of professional settings including head hunting, post-secondary education, consulting, and non profit sectors.
After years in a traditional office environment, the conventional 9-5 just wasn't for me. I began searching for opportunities that allowed me to help others while fitting my desired lifestyle. During this time of transition, I also became a mother and grappled with the challenge of reclaiming my identity beyond motherhood. This led me to a fitness community where I became a coach for 6 years. This experience not only helped me find balance in my life but also enabled me to guide hundreds of people in doing the same. However, deep down, I wanted to be a therapist and help on a deeper level.
Near the end of the pandemic and after some soul searching, I was finally ready to embark on the next leg of the journey - going back to school (yikes!). After talking about becoming a therapist for most of my working life, I was finally able to make it happen. I love what I do as a career counsellor and therapist and I have had the privilege of meeting amazing people with inspiring career stories.
No two stories are the same but the challenges clients face follow common patterns like feeling stuck, dealing with stress or burnout, uncertain of what to do next, not knowing what the ideal career is, how to choose post-secondary, facing new challenges at work, needing resume or job search support, and the emotional toll of work creeping into personal life - to name a bunch of the things clients come to see me for.
If you resonate with what you've read so far, book a free consultation. Let's talk about it.
My Qualifications
Specialized Training
Career Development
Career Counselling
Narrative Therapy
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Positive Psychology
Licenses
Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP)
National Career Development Certification
Education
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Yorkville University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Athabasca University
Advanced Diploma in Business Administration - Human Resources Management
Sheridan College
I Have Been There Too
Therapy opened this amazing journey where I got to know myself better. What I value most is the safe space to unpack my feelings and experiences, and then repackage them in a way that works better for me. Over the years, someone has walked with me, sometimes for a short time and sometimes for a long while. This firsthand experience not only deepened my empathy but also fueled my passion to pursue a career as a therapist, driven by a sincere desire to facilitate transformative journeys for others.
A Safe and Affirming Space
My client interactions span a broad range of cultural backgrounds, including minority groups and the LGBTQ2S+ community, and those who identify as neurodivergent. Rooted in cultural humility, kindness, and patience, my workspace is safe and affirming. I acknowledge the strength it takes to reach out and talk to someone, and I am so glad you are here. I see you. I appreciate you, and I look forward to hearing your story.
