Ashley Bartenhagen

Compassionate, skills-focused support for life transitions

LISW Iowa

Experience: 9 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Languages: English

About Ashley

Ashley Bartenhagen is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) practicing in Iowa with nine years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress and anxiety, navigate grief and loss, and address low self-esteem and depression.

Background and approach

Her approach emphasizes clients' existing strengths and life knowledge, partnering with them to build practical skills and clearer motivation for change. She values the courage it takes to seek a more satisfying life and offers supportive guidance aimed at empowerment rather than direction.

Ashley draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop concrete coping strategies for everyday challenges. Her work also includes hospice and end-of-life counseling for those facing difficult transitions, delivered with attention to each person’s priorities and pace.

Using CBT and Online Support to Build Practical Coping Skills

Many clients benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and develop concrete behaviors that reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. CBT is practical and skill-oriented, often focusing on experiments, thought records, and small behavioral changes that can improve daily functioning.

Ashley also brings a strengths-based, collaborative stance to online work, helping clients connect their existing resources with new strategies. This approach is useful for grief and life transitions where problem solving and emotional processing are both needed. The therapist and client work together to decide which techniques and pace feel most useful given the client’s goals and circumstances.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility around work, caregiving, or mobility needs. These options allow clients to choose formats that fit their learning style and schedule, and they make it easier to maintain continuity of care when life gets busy or unpredictable.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Ashley work with?

Ashley helps people coping with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes. She also offers support related to hospice and end-of-life counseling.

How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?

She uses a strengths-based, collaborative style and incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients examine thoughts and build practical coping skills. The tone is supportive and focused on empowerment.

How many years has she practiced?

Ashley has nine years of professional experience working with clients in a clinical capacity.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She holds the LISW credential and is licensed in Iowa with licence number IA LISW 077355.

Can people work with her in languages other than English or from other countries?

Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for online work?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.

How are fees and subscriptions handled for sessions?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Hospice and end-of-life counseling

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Experience

9+ years

Licensed

Iowa

Languages

English