Meet our founder
ashley hunter, lcsw
Helping you reconnect with yourself and move toward lasting change
I work with adults navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, relationship challenges, and nervous system overwhelm through a collaborative, whole-person approach to therapy.
my Story
Hi, I’m Ashley.
Like many of the clients I work with, I understand what it feels like to move through chronic stress, burnout, and the pressure to constantly keep going. Working in high-stress healthcare environments deepened my understanding of how closely mental health, the nervous system, physical wellbeing, and daily lifestyle are connected.
Over time, I found myself drawn toward a more integrative and sustainable approach to healing — one that values both evidence-based therapy and the importance of nervous system regulation, self-awareness, and more intentional ways of living.
Creating Aligned Mental Health & Wellness Studio was a way to bring that vision to life: a therapy practice that feels grounded, collaborative, and deeply human. My work is shaped not only by clinical training, but also by the personal practices and perspectives that have helped me navigate stress, overwhelm, and growth in my own life.
I believe therapy should support meaningful, lasting change — not just help people survive their lives, but instead feel more connected, intentional, and aligned within them.
My approach to therapy
Whole-Person Perspective
I consider the connection between emotional wellbeing, nervous system regulation, relationships, identity, and lived experience..
Relational & Collaborative
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I value creating a supportive, collaborative space where you feel seen, respected, and understood.
Evidence-Based Care
My work draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, attachment-focused work, and nervous system regulation approaches.
Focused on Sustainable Change
Our work together is focused on creating meaningful, lasting shifts — not just temporary symptom relief.
Background & Credentials
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) providing telehealth therapy for adults across Hawaii. My clinical background includes experience in an acute hospital setting supporting individuals and families navigating complex medical experiences and difficult hospitalizations - work that deepened my understanding of trauma, burnout, grief, resilience, stress, identity shifts & life transitions, relationship challenges, perinatal mental health, nervous system overwhelm, and the importance of whole-person support during life’s most vulnerable moments.
-
Behavioral Intervention Methods course (Specialized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Essentials of Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training (36 CEU hours)
Perinatal Mental Health Advanced Psychotherapy Training (6 CEU hours)
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care (15 CEU hours)
-
Master of Social Worker (MSW) - University of Georgia
Bachelor of Science (BS) in. Cognitive Studies - Vanderbilt University
-
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - State of Hawaii (LCSW-5478)
