A Letter From Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m really glad you’re here.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re holding a lot – questions, worries, love, exhaustion, and hope, often all at once. Parenting in today’s world can feel like that.

I’m a mom of two boys, and I have lived experience parenting high energy, big emotions, and the many layers that come with ADHD. Parenting has shaped not only who I am as a person, but also how I show up as a social worker. It has given me a deep appreciation for the realities families are navigating every day, and the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up.

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Parenting in a world that rarely slows down

Parenting today often means juggling work, school, extracurriculars, technology, and the constant pressure to do things “right.” There is rarely much space to slow down or trust that what you’re doing is enough.

I believe deeply that most parents are doing the very best they can with the information, energy, and support they have in that moment, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

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How children learn to regulate big feelings

In both my professional work and my own parenting, I’ve learned that children develop emotional regulation through relationships.

Children learn how to manage big feelings by first experiencing calm, safety, and connection with the adults around them. When a child feels supported and understood, their nervous system can settle and learning and growth become possible. Over time, these shared moments help children build the skills to regulate themselves.

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Supporting your child starts with supporting you

Supporting children in this way isn’t easy, especially when parents are already feeling stretched thin. Caring for your own well-being matters.

This doesn’t mean striving for perfection or adding more to an already full plate. Often, it looks like small moments of rest, support, or self-compassion that help steady your own nervous system, making it easier to be present with your child.

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Walking alongside families

You know your child best. My role isn’t to be a parenting expert, but someone who walks alongside you as you make sense of what’s happening. Together, we work to better understand what’s happening and to find approaches that feel right for your child and your family.

At Little Lights Therapy, my goal is to create a calm, supportive, and respectful space for both children and parents –  a space where children are met exactly where they are, and where parents feel supported rather than judged. You don’t need to have all the answers to begin. We can take things one step at a time, moving at a pace that feels right for your family.

If you take anything from this post, please let it be this: you don’t have to get it all right to be doing something meaningful. The small moments of connection you share with your child matter more than you might realize.