Current waitlist for new clients (2/18/2025)
Welcome to
Brave Space Healing
Ashley Parker, LISW
"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."
Sir Edmund Hillary
Hi, I’m Ashley!
I’m a Licensed Independent Social Worker providing individual therapy
for adults (18–64) in Iowa.
I offer in-person sessions in
Des Moines and virtual therapy statewide.
​
I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work from the
University of Iowa, where I trained in
evidence-based therapies to support
healing and growth.
I believe in the power of authenticity and genuine connection, helping clients navigate life’s challenges with courage, compassion, and integrity. We do this by keeping it real and radically embracing all of which makes us who we really are.
Let’s take this journey together!
I’m passionate about supporting clients navigating anxiety, major life transitions, intense emotions, relationship challenges, and self-acceptance. I take an affirming approach to neurodiversity, drawing from both lived experience and professional training. My practice is a welcoming space for those who have ever felt “othered” and seeks to honor the full spectrum of identities, relationships, and experiences people bring into the room. If you’re wondering whether we’d be a good fit, I’d love to connect and see how I can support you.
MY STYLE OF THERAPY
My style of therapy is conversational, collaborative, and
compassion-focused.
I enjoy diving deep into your personal story and inner world just as much as I enjoy helping you to develop the practical skills you need to cope with everyday life.
As a millennial therapist, I often pepper in irreverent dark-humor and pop culture references in my sessions. I believe in the power of laughter as a tool for healing and connection — it creates rapport, eases tension, and helps us to navigate tough conversations.
I am both casual and laid back in my approach while also being
action-oriented and solutions-focused.
I sincerely don't care if you swear
(honestly, I will too!)
and I strive to strike a balance between being both professional and authentic in my sessions.
Therapeutic Specialties
ADHD, Autism, and other neurodivergent conditions
Anxiety disorders
Life dissatisfaction
Emotional intensity and mood dysregulation
Borderline Personality Disorder
C-PTSD
Complex and relational trauma
Identity exploration & personal growth
Life transitions
The people I support, the challenges I help with, and the growth I guide
HUMANS
STRUGGLES
JOURNEYS
Women
Men ready to get vulnerable
BIPOC
&
Fellow Mixed Race People
​
Neurodivergents
LGBTQIA+
College Students &
Young Adults
(Gen Z)
Millennials
Older adults
in transition
Educators, Healers, and Helpers
People who come to
therapy to learn how
to get along with
the people in their
lives who won't go to therapy
Everyday people trying their best
Being a good human in an unkind
and unjust world
Feeling "different"
and unaccepted
Living through a series of unforchunate events
Managing a rollercoaster of
intense emotions
Learning to let go
Breaking cycles of
dysfunction, trauma, and drama
Figuring out who you are and what you want
"Adulting"
Dealing with the "ISMS"
Conquering the chaos that controls
your mind
Getting over your own bullshit
Surviving
America in 2025
Building a life worth living
Daring to be your real,
authentic,
and true self.
Unapologetically.
Healing and thriving through adversity
Embracing change
Learning to love and
accept yourself
Living in alignment with your values and dreams
Unpacking your
childhood trauma
Forgiving others & forgiving yourself
Creating happy, healthy, and mutually fulfilling attachments
& relationships with
yourself & others
Coping when life sucks
Unlocking your greatest potential
"What is a brave space, anyway?"
A BRAVE SPACE in therapy is an environment where you can feel encouraged to engage in honest, vulnerable, and courageous conversations, even when those conversations are difficult or uncomfortable.
Unlike the idea of a
"safe space," which emphasizes comfort and protection,
a brave space acknowledges that personal growth often involves stepping into discomfort to address challenges, confront fears, and explore areas of pain or resistance.