Let’s Talk Personal Training

At Ash & Birch Counseling, this is how we differ from traditional personal training. 

Goal Focus: Traditional approaches often push limits for performance, while trauma-informed training prioritizes safety, control, and the client's overall well-being.

Client Expertise: Acknowledges that the client is the ultimate authority on their own body and internal experience. 

Flexibility: Adjusts the session based on the client's immediate needs and internal state, rather than rigidly adhering to a pre-set plan. 

At Ash & Birch, our approach to personal training is grounded in values that honor the whole person—body, mind, and nervous system. These guiding principles shape a practice that is trauma-informed, collaborative, and deeply attuned to each individual's autonomy and well-being. 

Safety: Establishing a secure and supportive training space, avoiding triggers, and ensuring clients feel comfortable and protected. 

Choice and Consent:  Empowering individuals to make choices around intuitive movements.

Collaboration: Treating the client as the expert of their own body and working with them as a partner, rather than dictating their experience.

Empowerment: Shifting the focus from prescribed goals to fostering control over one's body and promoting a sense of agency. 

Nervous System Regulation: Utilizing movement to help manage the stress, anxiety, and symptoms of trauma by promoting self-regulation and inner safety. 

Everyone can benefit from personal training, no matter their starting point. Some people simply want to get stronger and feel better in their bodies, while others are recovering from injuries and need guided support to move safely again. Many athletes also use personal training to sharpen their performance and take their skills to the next level, and it can also support people recovering from an eating disorder by helping them rebuild a positive, safe relationship with movement. Whatever the goal, having the right guidance makes progress easier and more effective. 

Not at all, personal training is accessible to all bodies, all genders, and abilities. Sessions are tailored to your comfort level, and there’s no expectation of prior experience with exercise or movement practices. 

Our personal training is designed to work with whatever you have—whether that’s nothing but open floor space and comfy clothes, or a fully equipped home gym. You can train in your living room, backyard, garage, or private dedicated workout space. The approach is completely adaptable: we build your sessions around your environment, using bodyweight movements when equipment is limited, and incorporating tools like dumbbells, resistance bands, or machines if you’ve got them. No matter your setup, our personal trainers meet you where you are and helps you make the most of it. 

Yes! We offer this service nationwide, so you can participate from anywhere in the U.S.