Ashley Alton R.TCMP R.Ac

When I was 10 years old, I witnessed a fatal car accident. A 19 year old man lost his life that day and the shock and gravity of the situation really stuck with me. That very night I started to come down with what seemed like a flu. My Dad sat beside my bed and connected the dots with me; seeing that accident was what planted the seed for the illness I was starting to experience. And while for years we had had conversations like these, fueled by his own journey into mind-body medicine, it was that night that I first understood it on an experiential level.

I have been passionate about how our minds affect our bodies for over 20 years and have studied this connection both formally and informally for about as long. Seeing my own father cure himself from a chronic, debilitating disease gave me an unwavering belief in the connection, but my need for answers drove me to study it from many angles to ultimately understand the ‘why’ and the ‘how’.  

It was my understanding of this connection that made me fall in love with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - an ancient system of healing that fundamentally addresses the interconnected nature of mind, body and spirit.   I studied TCM for over five years at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Toronto, earning diplomas in acupuncture, eastern herbalism and western herbalism.  I then completed a two year program in Contemplative Psychotherapy through Nalanda Institute, a program that bridges Buddhist psychology with neuroscience and psychotherapy. Following these studies, and while continuing to build upon my clinical experience, I underwent training and eventually worked with Victim Services Toronto as a crisis counselor. This experience honed my understanding of the acute effects of trauma and gave me valuable insight on how to support people through their darkest hours.  

After many years of study and my own healing journey, I now understand health to be a dynamic interplay between thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and environment. The food we eat every day, the coping strategies we lean on, the social environment we are in, the stress we are enduring, all of this matters and all of this needs to be addressed for optimal healing to occur.

Today my clinical practice weaves together my experience and training in TCM, psychotherapy and crisis counseling.  I have always had a particular focus on women’s health and fertility care and am passionate about being an ally to couples as they try to conceive and grow their families. Western medicine has historically failed women, especially when it comes to gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS.  While there has been slow but steady improvement in this regard, a lot more needs to be done, and I endeavor to help women empower themselves with knowledge as they navigate choices that impact their health and wellbeing. 

In January 2021, I found the perfect clinic space to open Haven Healthcare. My understanding of stress and trauma, how they impact our nervous systems, and the fundamental importance of creating a sense of safety in order to facilitate healing has been the driving force behind this clinic space. My vision is to create a refuge for my patients, a place to access quality holistic healthcare in a calming, soothing environment. As a practitioner of mindfulness, I feel that the treatment starts as soon as you walk through the door.

Education & Certification

Diploma of Acupuncture 

Diploma of Acupuncture and Eastern Herbal Medicine

Diploma of Traditional Western Herbalism 

Diploma of Contemplative Psychotherapy 

Certificate in Applied Mindfulness 

Registered TCM Practitioner and Acupuncturist (CTCMPAO)