- Stress and anxiety
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
About Gretchen
Gretchen Ashman is an AASW social worker practising in Australia with seven years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, family conflict, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem and depression. She also focuses on guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, life purpose, self-love and social anxiety and phobia.
Gretchen keeps sessions straightforward. She invites people to talk about what is worrying them and helps make sense of thoughts and reactions. Conversations move at a steady pace and aim to build practical skills for everyday situations.
She uses tried-and-tested therapeutic techniques to help manage overwhelming feelings and to reduce unhelpful patterns. Sessions often include learning new ways to approach stressful moments and practising small steps between meetings. This can make social situations feel more manageable over time.
Gretchen pays attention to what matters most to each person. She works collaboratively to set clear, achievable goals and checks progress regularly. Where trauma or abuse is involved, she takes care to move at whatever pace the person prefers.
People choosing a first session are invited to start with a short matching questionnaire and book a time to talk. The clinician aims to be direct and practical while remaining approachable during conversations about difficult topics.
Approaches used and how online sessions work
Gretchen uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on understanding and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Cognitive-style methods help people notice patterns of thinking that increase anxiety and then practice alternative responses to reduce distress in social situations.She also draws on skills-based approaches that teach breathing, grounding and behavioural experiments. These are practical steps to try in everyday life and can help with panic, avoidance and feeling overwhelmed in groups or public situations.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Gretchen collaborates with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences. She reviews progress and adapts methods as those needs change, keeping decisions shared and clear.
Confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not list formats explicitly. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow short check-ins when schedules are tight. If you prefer a particular way of meeting, check the platform details when you complete the matching questionnaire and schedule your first session.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, family conflict, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and depression, plus related issues such as guilt, isolation and social anxiety and phobia.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and collaborative, focusing on clear goals and learning skills to manage difficult feelings and situations.
How much experience does she have?
She has seven years of professional experience working with adults on a range of emotional and interpersonal concerns.
What credentials and location does she have?
She is listed with the AASW and practises in Australia.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How do sessions work and what formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking; the profile prompts you to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
How are fees and cancellations handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time; check the platform details for exact pricing.