Barbara Ashton

Barbara Ashton is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy and Director of Music Therapy at Wartburg College. She holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Music from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and completed her music therapy training at Arizona State University in Tempe. Currently pursuing a doctorate at Temple University, her dissertation explores clinical improvisation in addressing weight stigma.

• Mental Health
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Chemical Dependency
• Clinical Improvisation
• Weight Stigma
• Transpersonal Music Therapy
• Community-Centered Approach

Her clinical work spans adolescent, adult, forensic, military, and women-identified populations, alongside experience with developmental delays, disabilities, and dementia. Barbara integrates drumming, singing, and group songwriting into sessions, emphasizing cognitive-behavioral, resource-oriented, and improvisational perspectives. She also worked as a massage therapist since 2003 and in human services at domestic violence shelters and community welfare programs.