Welcome to
Brave Space Healing
Ashley Parker, LISW, LICSW
You weren’t made to fit in — you were born to rise.
If you’ve spent your life surviving in systems that never made room for your truth, your voice, or your way of being—let me say this: you’re not broken. You’re brave. And you’re not alone.
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I work with people who feel deeply, think differently, and have had to fight hard just to exist as they are. People who carry trauma, live with neurodivergence, wrestle with identity, and have been told—again and again—that they’re either “too much” or “not enough.”
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Sound familiar?
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Here, your pain isn’t pathologized—it’s heard. Your identity isn’t erased—it’s honored. And you’re not asked to fit into a mold—you’re encouraged to break the mold wide open.
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This is a space to unlearn what harmed you, rebuild what sustains you, and reclaim what’s yours. A place to heal in context. To grow into your power.
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To finally come home to yourself—fully, unapologetically. You’re not here to be fixed. You’re here to grow into yourself, leaving behind what never fit and embracing all of who you really are.
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If this message resonates with you, I’d be honored to be part of your healing journey.
Hi, I’m Ashley!
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I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LISW, LICSW) providing individual therapy for adults (18–64) in Iowa and Minnesota.
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I offer in-person sessions at my office in Des Moines, IA and telehealth sessions statewide in Iowa and Minnesota.
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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 into 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
C-PTSD
Complex and relational trauma
Borderline Personality Disorder
Identity exploration & personal growth
Life transitions
The people I support, the challenges I help with, and the growth I guide
HUMANS
Women
Men ready to get vulnerable
BIPOC and Fellow Multiracial Folks
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Neurodivergents
LGBTQIA+
College Students &
Young Adults
(Gen Z)
Millennials
Older adults
experiencing
life
transitions
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
STRUGGLES
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
Unlearning survival skills from emotionally immature parents
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
JOURNEYS
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.