Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rogers.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From as early as I can remember, I’ve been deeply curious about people and what shapes the human experience. Growing up in a traumatic environment gave me a firsthand understanding of pain, resilience, and the complexities of healing. Those early experiences became both my greatest challenge and my greatest teacher.
As a college student and young adult, I found myself on a profound healing journey — one that required me to face my past, rebuild trust in myself, and rediscover hope. Along the way, I was fortunate to cross paths with several incredible therapists who quite literally changed — and saved — my life. Their compassion and skill inspired me to dedicate my own life to this work.
Through that process, I developed not only a deep passion for mental health and personal transformation but also an appreciation for the creative and other worldly dimensions of healing. Becoming a therapist felt like a calling — something sacred and purposeful. I truly feel honored to now hold space for others as they walk their own paths toward wholeness, healing and powerful self-discovery. This isn’t just my career; it’s my life’s work and an immense privilege to do it every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been anything but smooth. My upbringing was marked by chaos, profound loss, and trauma that shaped so much of who I am today. Losing my brother when I was sixteen was the most defining moment of my life — a heartbreak that shattered what was already a fragile family system. That loss changed everything. It was the catalyst that ignited my desire to grow, to heal, and to break free from the generational patterns of pain that had defined so much of my family’s story.
At the same time, it catapulted me into a depth of grief and loneliness that I wasn’t equipped to handle. I didn’t have many tools or much support then, so I had to find my own way through. Looking back now, I’m in awe of the resilience my younger self had to summon just to survive. That inner strength became the foundation for everything that came after.
In the midst of all the darkness, learning and school became my sanctuary. Certain teachers along the way offered me kindness, stability, and hope when I needed it most. Their belief in me was a light that helped guide me forward, reminding me that even in the hardest moments, there’s always a path toward growth and meaning.
By the time I made the choice to become a therapist, I was ready. The transition felt natural—almost like a homecoming to the place I’d always belonged. Stepping into this work has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I continue to be inspired every day by the courage of my clients, and I feel immense joy and gratitude to walk alongside others as they reclaim their own stories of healing and resilience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Over the years, my professional journey has evolved in ways that continue to surprise and delight me. I first began my practice under the name The Grove Counseling & Wellness, which became a nurturing space for both clients and clinicians — a place rooted in growth, connection, and community. Recently, that chapter has transitioned into Spark Counseling, a name that captures the aliveness, creativity, and transformation I hope to inspire in the people I work with and alongside.
At Spark, we offer traditional therapy as well as therapeutic retreats via our collaboration with Embodied Experiences, which I am co-owner. EE Retreats is designed to help clients move beyond talk therapy and truly engage mind, body, and spirit through group energy and embodiment. These retreats weave together movement, mindfulness, expressive arts, and somatic practices — creating space for healing that feels both grounded and expansive. It’s the kind of work that asks you to show up fully, and I’ll admit — it’s a bit of a weird job! But it’s one I absolutely adore. This is not work for the meek, and not everyone understands it…but those who do, really do.
One of my favorite parts of this ‘weird job’ is being present for and witnessing the healing transformation in the rooms and beyond. I try and bring creativity and embodiment into every aspect of therapy. I believe that healing happens through the body as much as through words, and I love helping clients reconnect to their intuition and vitality. I’m also deeply passionate about mentoring new therapists — supporting them as they find their voice and confidence in this complex, often misunderstood field.
More than anything, I want people to know that Spark Counseling is a place where real, honest, human healing happens — where pain and joy, grief and laughter, can coexist. I’m incredibly proud of how this practice has evolved and the community it continues to foster. Every session, every retreat, every conversation feels like part of something bigger — a collective movement toward more authenticity, connection, and self-compassion.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Oh, absolutely — there’s no way I’d be where I am today without the incredible people (and animals!) who have shown up for me in such meaningful ways.
First, I have to mention Ms. Mac, my fourth-grade teacher, art teacher, and cheerleading coach — she was the first person outside my family who truly saw me. She had this rare gift of understanding and believing in me when I didn’t yet believe in myself. She showed up in extraordinary ways and made sure I knew I wasn’t alone. I still carry her influence with me to this day.
My best friends from childhood also deserve a huge amount of credit. You know exactly who you are. You were — and continue to be — my chosen family, grounding me with laughter, love, and fierce loyalty through every chapter of my life.
I owe deep gratitude to my first long-term therapist, Susan, who helped me find safety and healing in ways I never thought possible. She modeled the kind of presence and care that continues to guide how I show up for my own clients. And to Inga, my former and current therapist when needed, who introduced me to bottom-up approaches and nervous system work — she helped me integrate the body into healing in profound, life-changing ways.
Then there’s my husband, my ultimate partner in crime. On paper, we might have looked a little “crazy,” but in real life, we’re in harmony — He’s my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the steady presence that keeps me laughing and grounded no matter what’s happening around us.
And finally, my animals — they sustain me in ways that words can’t quite capture. Their love, constancy, and connection have always been part of my lifeblood. I’ve often said that animals have been some of my greatest teachers, reminding me daily what unconditional love and presence truly look like.
I’m beyond grateful for all of them — mentors, friends, family, and furry companions — who have held me, challenged me, and believed in me every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.embodiedexperiencenow.com
- Instagram: @eeretreats
- Other: https://www.sparkcounselingandwellness.com
