Ashley Karstunen, PACFA

Ashley Karstunen (PACFA) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Trauma-Informed Depth Psychotherapist, Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher and Somatic EFT Practitioner based in Australia. With six years of clinical experience, he offers compassionate, strengths-based support for people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and relationship or intimacy-related issues.

Ashley works integratively, blending client-centred and strengths-focused ways of working with practical skills such as motivational interviewing, solution-focused brief therapy and Clinical EFT or tapping. His practice also draws on somatic and mindfulness-based interventions alongside depth-oriented approaches, including process-oriented and existential perspectives, to address complex patterns rooted in attachment, family of origin and life-purpose concerns.

He supports people facing burnout, compassion fatigue, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, as well as those dealing with loss, anger, obsessions or compulsions, and challenges related to identity such as LGBTQ+ or people of colour specific issues. Sessions are tailored to each person’s goals and preferences, with an emphasis on building self-awareness, easing emotional pain and developing practical coping strategies.

Ashley aims to help clients turn wounds into learning, reconnect with inner strengths and move toward clearer direction and greater resilience, offering calm, collaborative care throughout the therapeutic process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Ashley commonly integrates Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) into his online work. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape present-day patterns and helps people build safer, more secure connections; it can be useful for relationship difficulties and attachment-related distress. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and inner resources, offering empathic, non-directive support that helps with self-esteem, life transitions and emotional processing. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) teaches practical strategies to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour, which can reduce anxiety, depression and stress-related symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Ashley works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts the plan as therapy progresses. Appropriately qualified or registered professionals can also draw on different approaches when a blended method is helpful.

Online therapy with Ashley is offered by video call, phone session, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, geographic limits and varying comfort levels with remote work. These options make it easier to access regular support and to maintain continuity of care while balancing other life commitments.