Ashley Haywood
Social Work Intern
Ashley sees clients Virtually and in the Downtown office.
(she/her)
“While we can’t control what’s happening around us, we can cultivate the capacity to be with what is with more ease, joy, and freedom.”
Sometimes you need a quiet space to slow down, take a breath, and come back to the person you are beneath the noise. Using mindfulness and present-moment awareness, I help my clients find calm in the chaos, develop practical tools for managing difficult emotions, and build confidence in their authentic self. My practice is grounded in warmth and compassion, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and client-centered approaches that honors each person’s inherent wisdom. I strive to create genuine connections, where vulnerability feels safe and growth feels possible.
My work supports helping professionals, activists, teens, and young adults, as well as anyone facing the challenges of chronic pain or illness. My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming and deeply rooted in radical body acceptance.
My path to therapy has been shaped by a career in teaching and international humanitarian work. These experiences taught me that healing happens not just within individuals, but in understanding how we're shaped by the world around us. I am currently completing a Master's in Social Work at the University of Chicago and work as an intern at Grace Therapy and Wellness Center under the supervision of Gabriela Betancourt, LCSW.
