Ashlea Palafox, LPC, C. HYP, BC-DMT
Ashlea Palafox, LPC, C.HYP, BC-DMT, is a Dallas–Fort Worth–based psychotherapist and founder of Heart Door Healing, a private practice dedicated to helping high-achieving women overcome childhood and relational trauma. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, she specializes in addressing patterns such as people-pleasing and perfectionism that often impede women’s careers, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Ashlea combines a variety of techniques—including rapid transformational therapy, hypnotherapy, somatic practices, and board-certified dance/movement therapy—to create a personalized approach that supports profound healing and transformation.
Ashlea’s journey into mental health began as a professional dancer in New York City. Following a career-ending injury, she experienced depression and discovered the transformative power of dance/movement therapy while working with clients facing severe mental health challenges. Inspired by the potential of movement and mind-body integration, she pursued advanced training in dance/movement therapy at Columbia College Chicago, earning her master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, along with certifications in movement analysis and hypnotherapy. She has also been influenced by Rapid Transformational Therapy, which allows her to address subconscious beliefs that hold her clients back.
Throughout her career, Ashlea has held roles in mental health hospitals, inpatient facilities, and group practices, gaining extensive experience with diverse populations. Today, she leads Heart Door Healing with a focus on empowering women to break free from limiting patterns and live more authentic, fulfilling lives. An active member of the American Dance Therapy Association and former president of the ADTA Illinois Chapter, she continues to contribute to the professional community while guiding clients toward meaningful personal transformation.
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Registered Dance/Movement Therapist
• Graduate Laban Certification in Movement Analysis
• Columbia College Chicago - M.A.
• American Dance Therapy Association
• ADTA Illinois Chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to following my calling and building my own practice from the ground up. After a career as a professional dancer was cut short by injury, I discovered dance movement therapy and the power of movement to support mental health. Inspired by experiences in mental health facilities and by Marisa Peer’s Rapid Transformation Therapy, I now help high-achieving women overcome perfectionism, heal from trauma, and transform patterns that hold them back in life, work, and relationships.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it’s possible to have a successful, rewarding career while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. You don’t have to choose between personal achievement and impact—you can do both.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to remember that you can cultivate a career rooted in service—helping others live happier, healthier lives—while also finding joy and fulfillment in your own journey.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is growing my business as a new owner while reaching and supporting every woman who could benefit from my work. Building the systems and visibility to help more people is both demanding and incredibly rewarding.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is at the center of my life. As a mom of three young children, I cherish creative play, art, and movement with them, and my husband and I love spending time in nature, seeking peaceful moments to reflect. In my work, my core values are helping high-achieving women transform and heal from childhood or relational trauma, as well as patterns like perfectionism and people-pleasing that hold them back. I use a variety of techniques I’m trained in, including a method I’ve developed, to guide women toward achieving their goals. This work is deeply personal to me, rooted in my own journey of transformation after my dance career ended.