Our Team

Our Team

Ashley A. Starzec, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in MA & CT | Owner & Founder of Perfect Harmony Relationship Solutions, LLC

Welcome to a Path Towards Harmony with Ashley A. Starzec, LMFT

Are you seeking to strengthen your relationships, find greater balance in your life, or navigate challenging times with more ease? As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Massachusetts and Connecticut, I’ve been a dedicated guide for relationships, families, and individuals on their journeys since 2007.

My approach is rooted in understanding the bigger picture – how your experiences and the dynamics within your relationships (“the system”) influence the challenges you face. Instead of focusing solely on individual struggles, we’ll explore how these interconnected parts contribute to the whole, fostering a collaborative and non-judgmental space for growth.

I offer empathetic and empowering therapy services tailored to your unique needs, drawing from strengths-based, solutions-focused, and systemic perspectives. I utilize highly-effective therapy models such as Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help you achieve your treatment goals. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, navigating the complexities of a committed relationship, or seeking individual support to improve your most important connections, I’m here to help you cultivate positive change.

My Focus: Relationships and the Systems We Live In

My passion lies in helping relationships and individuals like you restore harmony and build stronger foundations. I believe that therapy is a proactive step you can take to create the positive shifts you desire. Together, we’ll explore your goals and work towards achieving them in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

While professional ethics prevent me from sharing client testimonials directly, I’m often told that I create a safe and trusting environment where honesty and vulnerability can flourish. It’s an honor to witness and support each client’s unique journey, and I bring a diverse range of therapeutic approaches to ensure our work together aligns with your individual preferences and needs. I also have preliminary training in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), which is one of the most effective and powerful form of couples therapy (more info on that, below!).

My Journey to Systemic Therapy

My interest in understanding relationships began long before my formal training. As a teenager navigating family communication challenges and intense emotions, I intuitively knew that individual struggles were often intertwined with larger relational dynamics. This personal experience fueled my desire to understand these complex systems, leading me to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. Today, as an LMFT, I am deeply grateful to support the individuals, couples, and families who entrust me with their stories.

Beyond the Therapy Room

Outside of my practice, I cherish time spent with my husband and our cat, connecting with family and friends, and embracing my role as a proud Auntie. I also find joy in exploring new cultures through travel (Spain’s Balearic Islands hold a special place in my heart!), practicing yoga, expressing my creativity, soaking up the sun, and floral design!

Let’s Connect

Finding the right therapist is a crucial first step, and I welcome you to schedule a complementary 15-minute consultation to get a sense of my personality and therapeutic style, and to see if we might be a good fit. A strong therapeutic connection is essential for meaningful progress. Please call my office or send me an email – I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

Ashley A. Starzec, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in MA & CT | Owner & Founder of Perfect Harmony Relationship Solutions, LLC

Welcome to a Path Towards Harmony with Ashley A. Starzec, LMFT

Are you seeking to strengthen your relationships, find greater balance in your life, or navigate challenging times with more ease? As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Massachusetts and Connecticut, I’ve been a dedicated guide for relationships, families, and individuals on their journeys since 2007.

My approach is rooted in understanding the bigger picture – how your experiences and the dynamics within your relationships (“the system”) influence the challenges you face. Instead of focusing solely on individual struggles, we’ll explore how these interconnected parts contribute to the whole, fostering a collaborative and non-judgmental space for growth.

I offer empathetic and empowering therapy services tailored to your unique needs, drawing from strengths-based, solutions-focused, and systemic perspectives. I utilize highly-effective therapy models such as Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help you achieve your treatment goals. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, navigating the complexities of a committed relationship, or seeking individual support to improve your most important connections, I’m here to help you cultivate positive change.

My Focus: Relationships and the Systems We Live In

My passion lies in helping relationships and individuals like you restore harmony and build stronger foundations. I believe that therapy is a proactive step you can take to create the positive shifts you desire. Together, we’ll explore your goals and work towards achieving them in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

While professional ethics prevent me from sharing client testimonials directly, I’m often told that I create a safe and trusting environment where honesty and vulnerability can flourish. It’s an honor to witness and support each client’s unique journey, and I bring a diverse range of therapeutic approaches to ensure our work together aligns with your individual preferences and needs. I also have preliminary training in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), which is one of the most effective and powerful form of couples therapy (more info on that, below!).

My Journey to Systemic Therapy

My interest in understanding relationships began long before my formal training. As a teenager navigating family communication challenges and intense emotions, I intuitively knew that individual struggles were often intertwined with larger relational dynamics. This personal experience fueled my desire to understand these complex systems, leading me to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. Today, as an LMFT, I am deeply grateful to support the individuals, couples, and families who entrust me with their stories.

Beyond the Therapy Room

Outside of my practice, I cherish time spent with my husband and our cat, connecting with family and friends, and embracing my role as a proud Auntie. I also find joy in exploring new cultures through travel (Spain’s Balearic Islands hold a special place in my heart!), practicing yoga, expressing my creativity, soaking up the sun, and floral design!

Let’s Connect

Finding the right therapist is a crucial first step, and I welcome you to schedule a complementary 15-minute consultation to get a sense of my personality and therapeutic style, and to see if we might be a good fit. A strong therapeutic connection is essential for meaningful progress. Please call my office or send me an email – I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

Education History

  • Antioch University New England (2009), Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Keene State College (2007), Bachelor of Arts in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and a Minor in Women’s Studies

Education History

  • Antioch University New England (2009), Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Keene State College (2007), Bachelor of Arts in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and a Minor in Women’s Studies

Professional Licenses

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MA #1449)
  • Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (CT #2701)

Information About MFTs And The EFT Model

A: Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems. They evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, other health and behavioral problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues within the context of the family system.
Marriage and Family Therapists broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary relationship networks such as marriage and the family. MFTs take a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families.
MFTs have graduate training (a Master’s or Doctoral degree) in marriage and family therapy and at least two years of clinical experience. Marriage and Family Therapists are recognized as a “core” mental health profession, along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing.
Source: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015.

A: MFTs are unique because they are trained in both psychotherapy and family systems, which allows them to focus on understanding client symptoms in the context of the relational interactions that influence behavior. The problem does not define the client, but rather is a symptom of his or her system.

  • MFTs work with individuals, couples and families. Whoever the client, MFTs view problems from a relationship perspective.
  • Family-based therapy is a powerful model for change. Research has shown that family-based interventions such as those utilized by MFTs are as effective as– and in many cases more effective than– alternative therapies, often at a lower cost.
  • MFTs work with a wide range of clinical issues, including depression, relationship problems, anxiety, affective (mood) disorders, substance abuse, and more.
  • MFTs apply a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families.
  • MFTs practice short-term therapy; 12 sessions on average. Over 65% of cases are completed within 20 sessions and over 87% by 50 sessions.

Source: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015.

A: Refer to the AAMFT therapist search tool to locate a skilled MFT near you. Or, try Googling “LMFT near [your town, state].”

A: EFT is usually a short-term (8-20 sessions), structured approach to couples therapy formulated in the 1980’s and has developed alongside the science on adult attachment and bonding to expand our understanding about what is happening in couple relationships and to guide therapists. In the last fifteen years, Dr. Sue Johnson and her colleagues have further developed and refined the model and completed numerous studies. EFT is also used with families and individuals. A substantial body of research outlining the effectiveness of EFT now exists. Research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements. The major contraindication for EFT is on-going abuse in the relationship. EFT is being used with many different kinds of couples in private practice, university training centres and hospital clinics and many different cultural groups throughout the world. These distressed couples include partners suffering from disorders such as depression, post traumatic stress disorders and chronic illness.
Source: International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), 2015.

A: EFT is based on clear, explicit conceptualizations of marital distress and adult love. These conceptualizations are supported by empirical research on the nature of marital distress and adult attachment.

  • EFT is collaborative and respectful of clients combining experiential Rogerian techniques with structural systemic interventions.
  • Change strategies and interventions are specified.
  • Key moves and moments in the change process have been mapped into nine steps and three change events.
  • EFT has been validated by over 20 years of empirical research. There is also research on the change processes and predictors of success.
  • EFT has been applied to many different kinds of problems and populations.

Source: International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), 2015.

A: EFT is based on clear, explicit conceptualizations of marital distress and adult love. These conceptualizations are supported by empirical research on the nature of marital distress and adult attachment.

  • EFT is collaborative and respectful of clients combining experiential Rogerian techniques with structural systemic interventions.
  • Change strategies and interventions are specified.
  • Key moves and moments in the change process have been mapped into nine steps and three change events.
  • EFT has been validated by over 20 years of empirical research. There is also research on the change processes and predictors of success.
  • EFT has been applied to many different kinds of problems and populations.

Source: International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), 2015.

***For real-life application and understanding of your OWN interactional cycle with your partner, I highly recommend purchasing and completing the couples’ EFT workbook: “An Emotionally Focused Workbook for Couples: The Two of Us,” by Veronica Kallos-Lilly & Jennifer Fitzgerald (2015).***

Request A Consultation Today

If you’re interested in creating more harmony in your life, contact us to schedule a complementary 15-minute phone or video consultation so we can get to know each other before deciding to work together. We pride ourselves on tailoring a specialized treatment plan to address each client’s unique needs and goals. Let’s start working together to build a better future for all of your relationships!

If you’re interested in creating more harmony in your life, contact us to schedule a complementary 15-minute phone or video consultation so we can get to know each other before deciding to work together. We pride ourselves on tailoring a specialized treatment plan to address each client’s unique needs and goals. Let’s start working together to build a better future for all of your relationships!

SERVICE AREA

Proudly providing couple/relationship, family, and adult individual therapy to Southern Worcester County and teletherapy to residents of Massachusetts & Connecticut!

CONTACT INFO

Ashley A. Starzec, LMFT
351 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540
Office Phone: (508) 987-1287
Email: [email protected]

LICENSED & VERIFIED