Meet Ashley Hartwell | Therapist, Founder of Summit Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Hartwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve had the privilege of working in many different roles and environments in the mental health field from case manager to team lead to therapist in a group private practice. I learned so much from each of those experiences.
When I opened Summit Therapy my main focus was simple: provide the best possible support for people seeking therapy and create a place other therapists can thrive. We’re all familiar with the concept that we have to take of ourselves before we can take care of other people – put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. This applies to therapists too. At Summit Therapy the therapists are encouraged to find the work-life balance that works best for them, to take breaks, to ask for help, and they’re empowered to find and pursue their passion as a therapist. I’ve witnessed incredible personal and professional growth on my team – it’s incredibly inspiring.
The care and support we’re able to provide to our clients at Summit Therapy is amazing. The therapists are taken care of so they’re able to take care of others. They’re not burned out, they’re passionate and inspired, and they’re making a big difference.
It’s been 5 years since I opened Summit Therapy and my priorities remain the same: take care of the therapists so they can help take care of others.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My personal passion as a therapist is helping people suffering from eating disorders, low self-esteem and body image struggles, and trauma. My passion grew from my own experiences and healing, which wasn’t easy. Because of that I’ve learned how to meet people where they are in their journey, how to support them patiently from a place of understanding and non-judgment, and to work toward freedom from these struggles. I’ve learned countless lessons about self-love, acceptance, and the healing journey and am excited every time I have an opportunity to help someone else do the same.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love getting to share Arizona with my favorite people. We have beautiful hiking trails, adorable coffee local coffee shops, delicious restaurants – we’re spoiled!
We would have to try out a couple different coffee shops during their visit – Seedhouse and Berdena’s (at the Fred) are two of my favorites! The trip would include a few different hikes – Piestewa Peak, Tom’s Thumb, and Papago Park are my favorites. I’m a big fan of supporting local restaurants – OHSO, The Gladly, and Mochilero Kitchen would all be on the list. Depending on the time of year, Phoenix also has some great farmer’s markets!
No visit to Phoenix would be complete without taking a trip to Sedona, which is a short hour and a half drive north. Sedona is breathtakingly beautiful – you could spend a week there and still not be ready to leave. If I had to pick just one hike it would be West Fork Trail, a combination of the red rocks, lush forest, and Oak Creek. Ending the day with dinner at Mariposa would be the perfect way to wrap up the trip (the empanadas are incredible!).
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who have supported me, mentored me, and encouraged me on this journey and I am filled with gratitude for every one of them.
My mom, who I lost to ALS long before the dream of opening my private practice was even born, has been a constant inspiration in my life. She taught me to dream big, to believe in myself, and to not let anyone else tell me what I’m capable of. I feel so lucky to have learned so much from her in a short amount of time and know she will continue to be a guiding light.
My family – my husband, my dad, my sister – and my friends have been unwavering in their support and encouragement, even when I doubted myself. They’re my biggest believers and I am eternally thankful for them.
My Summit Therapy team, where do I begin? I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be surrounded by such incredible people. They’re incredibly kind, passionate, and dedicated. Every time I get the opportunity to talk about them I struggle to find the words to express how much I appreciate them and how lucky I feel to get to work alongside them.
Website: https://summittherapyservices.com/