Therapists need therapy too
Donation protected
From the first time I met Ashley, it was clear to me that she has a huge heart and cares deeply about others. She is spontaneous, funny, and always a joy to be around. She is an advocate for change in this world and always stands up for what she believes in, it is no wonder she is studying to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Her passion for life is contagious and whenever we spend time together, she fills me up with joy.
It saddens me deeply knowing about the trauma she experienced in the past and how that is impacting her life in negative ways today. I am amazed by all the love she has to give to the world, despite her unfair circumstances. I am also amazed by her level of personal insight and commitment to her journey of healing and self-discovery.
Recently it became clear to her that she needs to heal some more and has realized that she needs to be in an inpatient trauma treatment center. Unfortunately, student loans and past treatment bills are leaving her financially drained and she has no way of paying for treatment. I am asking that if you could, please donate to help fund Ashley's healing journey. She is an amazing human being that desperately wants to help the world but first needs a little help herself.
After all, sometimes we ALL need a little bit of help. Therapists need therapy too. ANYTHING you can give would be greatly appreciated and would go directly to her treatment bills.
-Garrett (Ashley's classmate and friend)
From Ashley...
I was hesitant at first when my classmates proposed the idea of setting up a fundraiser for my therapy services, but after spending some time reflecting on this, I realized that there is no shame in asking for help. To own and intensify feelings of shame around this would go against everything I stand for as an advocate, educator, and mental health professional. As a student, I am struggling financially to pay the bills, never mind take care of my emotional health. I am not only paying back student loan debt, but I am also paying back therapy treatment debt.
I am a childhood trauma survivor and have experienced 8 out of the 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). As a way to deal with the immense pain of my childhood, I started drinking when I was 14 years old. When health and behavioral complications caught up to me at just 21 years old I knew I had to remove this survival strategy which was no longer serving me. I have worked really hard to sustain my recovery from substances for over 4 years now, in my early and mid-twenties. Although I am a fun-loving, energetic person on the outside, the pain runs deep on the inside. I am constantly fighting for my survival on a daily basis.
I wake up every day because I have an intention to help others heal, whether it be through helping students in recovery at CSU (who are in Ram Recovery), through seeing clients in the Marriage and Family Therapy program, or helping the cashier at Whole Foods who is having a difficult day. Research shows that my lifespan will likely be cut short by 20 years because of the ACEs I have experienced. I have lived a life believing I would die young because of my trauma and as a result, I have tried to rescue every other person but myself. However, I now realize that I can be an exception to this rule. With intensive quality therapy services, I will not only heal and live a longer life, but I will make an exponentially greater impact on the lives of others.
I love the graduate program that I am in -- but because I am often triggered by the work, I struggle on multiple levels. I am taking my second leave from the program because I need to learn how to cope with triggers and stressors effectively. Although my program continues to believe in me, I am slowly losing hope in my ability to heal due to the financial stress of therapy services.
With some financial assistance, I could go from surviving to thriving. Thanks to anyone who contributes financially but also thanks to anyone who has read this and allowed me to be vulnerable and share a part of my story. That also helps me to heal.
I have learned that my healing isn’t optional. It is essential. My purpose is truly just beginning.
“Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.”
– Brené Brown
All contributions will go directly towards therapy services in Colorado. Due to the immediate needs that Ashley has for getting help and the extensive support network she has in Colorado she has decided that she will use the proceeds to work intensively with a therapist on a weekely basis. Her healing is a life long process and each contribution (or good thought her way) is greatly appreciated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NkZO3_h7vI
It saddens me deeply knowing about the trauma she experienced in the past and how that is impacting her life in negative ways today. I am amazed by all the love she has to give to the world, despite her unfair circumstances. I am also amazed by her level of personal insight and commitment to her journey of healing and self-discovery.
Recently it became clear to her that she needs to heal some more and has realized that she needs to be in an inpatient trauma treatment center. Unfortunately, student loans and past treatment bills are leaving her financially drained and she has no way of paying for treatment. I am asking that if you could, please donate to help fund Ashley's healing journey. She is an amazing human being that desperately wants to help the world but first needs a little help herself.
After all, sometimes we ALL need a little bit of help. Therapists need therapy too. ANYTHING you can give would be greatly appreciated and would go directly to her treatment bills.
-Garrett (Ashley's classmate and friend)
From Ashley...
I was hesitant at first when my classmates proposed the idea of setting up a fundraiser for my therapy services, but after spending some time reflecting on this, I realized that there is no shame in asking for help. To own and intensify feelings of shame around this would go against everything I stand for as an advocate, educator, and mental health professional. As a student, I am struggling financially to pay the bills, never mind take care of my emotional health. I am not only paying back student loan debt, but I am also paying back therapy treatment debt.
I am a childhood trauma survivor and have experienced 8 out of the 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). As a way to deal with the immense pain of my childhood, I started drinking when I was 14 years old. When health and behavioral complications caught up to me at just 21 years old I knew I had to remove this survival strategy which was no longer serving me. I have worked really hard to sustain my recovery from substances for over 4 years now, in my early and mid-twenties. Although I am a fun-loving, energetic person on the outside, the pain runs deep on the inside. I am constantly fighting for my survival on a daily basis.
I wake up every day because I have an intention to help others heal, whether it be through helping students in recovery at CSU (who are in Ram Recovery), through seeing clients in the Marriage and Family Therapy program, or helping the cashier at Whole Foods who is having a difficult day. Research shows that my lifespan will likely be cut short by 20 years because of the ACEs I have experienced. I have lived a life believing I would die young because of my trauma and as a result, I have tried to rescue every other person but myself. However, I now realize that I can be an exception to this rule. With intensive quality therapy services, I will not only heal and live a longer life, but I will make an exponentially greater impact on the lives of others.
I love the graduate program that I am in -- but because I am often triggered by the work, I struggle on multiple levels. I am taking my second leave from the program because I need to learn how to cope with triggers and stressors effectively. Although my program continues to believe in me, I am slowly losing hope in my ability to heal due to the financial stress of therapy services.
With some financial assistance, I could go from surviving to thriving. Thanks to anyone who contributes financially but also thanks to anyone who has read this and allowed me to be vulnerable and share a part of my story. That also helps me to heal.
I have learned that my healing isn’t optional. It is essential. My purpose is truly just beginning.
“Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.”
– Brené Brown
All contributions will go directly towards therapy services in Colorado. Due to the immediate needs that Ashley has for getting help and the extensive support network she has in Colorado she has decided that she will use the proceeds to work intensively with a therapist on a weekely basis. Her healing is a life long process and each contribution (or good thought her way) is greatly appreciated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NkZO3_h7vI
Organizer and beneficiary
Garrett Forsyth
Organizer
Fort Collins, CO
Ashley Wheeler
Beneficiary