About Ashley
Ashley is one of our maternal mental health therapists. Her therapeutic style is relational and strengths-based. She believes in supporting and empowering women to reach their therapeutic goals in an empathetic, personalized way. Ashley believes that you are the expert in your own life, and she will come alongside you in your journey with compassion and encouragement. As a mother of three, Ashley relates to both the abundance of joy and the emotional challenges that come with being a mother.
Therapeutic Style
Ashley’s therapeutic style is integrative and collaborative, as she recognizes each client’s uniqueness and expertise in their own life. Ashley considers the therapist-client relationship to be the most important factor in helping women reach their mental health goals. Ashley wholeheartedly believes women should come as they are to sessions and know it is a safe, judgment-free space.
A key focus of Ashley’s work is guiding clients to live fully in the present moment and encouraging clients to consider the values that give their lives meaning. She often utilizes mindfulness-based techniques and leads clients toward accepting and embracing life’s changes.
Ashley also works using a strengths-based approach, helping clients to recognize and focus on how things are going right, rather than dwelling on what is going wrong. She is there to cheer clients on and celebrate successes as clients move along their journeys of wellness.
Experience
For the past five years, Ashley has been a perinatal peer mentor, walking alongside new mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Her volunteer work in this role through Postpartum Support International sparked a passion for helping new mothers professionally. Prior to returning to school to earn her master’s degree in social work, Ashley spent fifteen years as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist.
In addition to peer mentorship and teaching, Ashley has experience interning at a homeless shelter for youth and young adults in her community. During her internship, she conducted diagnostic assessments, provided individual therapy, and helped youth who were pregnant and parenting with resources and parenting education.
Looking toward the future, Ashley plans to earn her social work independent license and is actively working toward her Perinatal Mental Health Certification through Postpartum Support International.
Licensures/Education
Bachelor of Art in Education – Wright State University
Master of Art in Teaching – Marygrove University
Master of Art in Social Work – Wright State University
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) – S.2410748
Perinatal Mood Disorders Components of Care – Postpartum Support International