Ashley Plotnick, LCSW, MAJS, M.Ed., is a licensed psychotherapist and trained spiritual director with extensive experience in the Jewish community. In addition to her robust private practice, she has been the Director of Congregational Learning at a reform synagogue for over ten years.
Ashley completed training in spiritual direction through the Morei Derekh program and is a spiritual director for HUC-JIR rabbinical students, as well as a mentor for the Kol Dodi spiritual direction training program at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Ashley is completing a Doctor of Ministry degree in contemplative practice, spiritual renewal, and strategic leadership at Claremont School of Theology. As a counselor, Ashley is relationship-centered and draws upon family systems theory in her work. Ashley believes that the therapeutic relationship must foster a sense of warmth, authenticity, and acceptance, enabling clients to bring their full selves to the process, creating deeper awareness and a more connected, lived experience. Ashley’s extensive training in mindfulness practice enables her to hold each person’s story with compassion and to meet them with presence.
Ashley holds Masters’ degrees in Social Work and Human Sexuality Education from Widener University, as well as in Jewish Studies from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She completed a grief support specialist certificate through the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2021 and volunteered extensively for the COVID Grief Network. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her family.
We'll be available to share more exciting information about our Israel Experience this summer, including some of the incredible pieces of the itinerary we won't be posting on the website! We'll also be on hand to answer questions and help support you as you navigate moving forward in hopes of joining us!
Choose the best time option to join us live over Zoom based on your location and convenience: