About Ashley

Ashley Obrero is a first-generation Filipino American therapist whose own experience navigating traditional cultural values while carving out her own identity has deeply shaped her practice. 

She holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of San Francisco and a Master's in Counseling from CSU East Bay, and is pursuing a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy specializing in children and adolescent therapy.

Her career began as a Registered Behavioral Technician providing ABA services to children and adolescents with autism, before moving into community-based work with foster youth and marginalized communities, and school-based therapy. She brings extensive experience supporting youth and families through depression, anxiety, complex trauma, self-harm, identity exploration, and suicidality.

Ashley's approach guides clients from a narrative of shame toward empowerment and self-awareness — using culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and systemic methods tailored to each person. She is passionate about breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma, and believes that work begins early, with social-emotional learning for youth.

What drew me to this work:Growing up navigating the tension between Filipino cultural expectations and her own developing identity gave Ashley a firsthand understanding of what it means to feel caught between worlds. That experience is at the heart of everything she does.

What to expect in the room: Ashley leads with warmth and without judgment. Expect a space where shame gets challenged, identity gets explored, and empowerment is always the destination.

Outside the therapy room:Disney, anime, cozy video games, Pokémon Go, powerlifting, making playlists, and photography. Ashley brings her full, unfiltered self to everything — the therapy room included.

I believe:“Breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma starts with being seen. My work begins the moment someone feels genuinely heard for the first time.”

Specializations:

• Trauma & Trauma-Related Disorders

• PTSD

• Children/Adolescents

• Asian American Population

• Suicidal Ideation

• Self-Harm

• Cultural & Systemic Oppression

• Play Therapy

• Co-occurring Disorders

• Self-Esteem/People-Pleasing

• Helper Stress

i stand

on the sacrifices

of a million women before me

thinking

what can i do

to make this mountain taller

so the women after me

can see farther

- legacy | rupi kaur