Meet Wendy Ashley | Therapist, Educator, JAEDI (Justice, Antiracism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Training Facilitator, Author and Keynote Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Ashley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind the success of my brand is my capacity to be direct, genuine and transparent, while maintaining a framework is that is consistently aligned with intersectionality, equity, inclusion and antiracism.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have multiple professional identities: I am a Professor, an academic Department Chair, a trauma and relational therapist, an author, a keynote speaker, a scholar, a researcher, and a JAEDI (justice, antiracism, equity, diversity and inclusion) organization trainer.

I started in my field as a social worker, and I added professional identities and experiences based on what was interesting to me and what I couldn’t find elsewhere in my field. When I realized that many of the clinicians I was hiring to work at the organizations I was employed by did not have consistent knowledge and skills, I got my doctorate and began teaching to directly impact the education of future social workers. When I saw that there was no best practice guidelines for treating Black women, I initiated research to determine how to best provide culturally relevant care for that community. When I couldn’t find a book that taught clinical skills AND antiracist social work practice for over a decade, I set out to write one myself.

None of this was easy, but it has all been incredibly fulfilling and empowering. Part of what made my work and progress possible is my consistent belief that I have something substantial to leave as my professional legacy. I don’t completely know what my professional legacy is yet because it is still evolving, but I have been inspired to address inequities, disparities and lack of representation in education, the practice of therapy, organizational culture and climate, and research. What I want the world to know is that education, therapy, healing from trauma, organizational culture, and writing a book aren’t just opportunities or privileges granted to certain people. With the right support, mentorship, coaching, and resources, the possibilities are infinite.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Los Angeles – I am a native, and while some of my favorite things change, some are consistent sources of joy and delight. I love breakfast/brunch at Urth Caffe, lunch or dinner and Woodranch (hello tri tip and sweet potato fries), and Eddie V’s for a great evening of music and delicious food. My two favorite, happy places are Palm Springs and Disneyland (always yes to Space Mountain and Matterhorn). I love Blue Butterfly Coffee in El Segundo, the Manhattan Beach Target and shopping at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out a few people who paved the way to my success and the professional powerhouse I have become: Rose Monteiro for modeling and mentoring me in becoming a quality educator; Rebecca Walker and Joy DeGruy for authoring books that literally changed my live and world view; and Dr Irvin Yalom for using theory and fiction to make facilitating therapy an art as well as a practice. I acknowledge my husband, Leo Ashley III, for always being a supportive critically conscious partner, and my work family, Allen Lipscomb and Jolene Swain for co-creating a work culture that promotes awareness, antiracist action and accountability.

Website: https://www.DrWendyAshley.com

Instagram: DrWendyAshley

Twitter: @DrWendyAshley

Image Credits
Kem West Photo