Ashley Sorenson

Ashley Sorenson is a Michigan-based licensed master social worker (LMSW) with 15 years of professional experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. She approaches each person as the expert of their own story and works alongside them to find practical ways forward.

She helps people sort through relationship difficulties and challenges related to bipolar disorder. Sessions often center on identifying strengths and small steps that lead to clearer thinking and steadier moods. The emphasis is on practical strategies rather than jargon-filled explanations.

Ashley supports people coping with major life changes, grief, and burnout from compassion fatigue. She also addresses concerns such as sleep problems, addictions, and self-esteem. When needed, she assists with communication problems and concerns tied to body image and isolation.

Her work includes attention to obsessive or anxious patterns like panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and mood disorders. People who are navigating non-monogamous relationships or LGBT-related issues can bring those concerns into sessions as well.

Therapy with Ashley begins by listening closely to what matters most to the person in front of her. She then collaborates to set realistic goals and practice new responses between sessions. The aim is better daily functioning and more manageable emotional reactions over time.

Evidence-based approaches for managing strong feelings

Two common evidence-based approaches Ashley uses are skills-focused therapy and problem-focused strategies. Skills-focused methods teach practical tools for managing intense emotions, improving sleep, and reducing panic. These approaches help with anger, anxiety, and mood regulation by building concrete habits and breakable cycles. Problem-focused strategies look at specific life or relationship issues and create step-by-step plans to change unhelpful patterns.

Another useful method she draws on is behavioral activation, which emphasizes gradual changes in daily routines to improve mood and motivation. This can help with depression, low energy, and feelings of emptiness by reintroducing meaningful activities in small, manageable ways.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist listens first, discusses goals, and then recommends techniques that match needs and preferences. Clients and the therapist adjust methods over time based on what proves most helpful.

If you plan to meet online, confirm available session formats before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. For some people, phone sessions reduce bandwidth demands, while video options let the therapist notice facial cues that help guide the work.