is a Counselor-in-Training and recent Bachelor of Social Work graduate from James Madison University who is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work through the University of Maryland’s Advanced Standing Hybrid Program. She is passionate about creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered through their therapeutic journey.
Ashley believes that every individual has unique strengths and that meaningful change begins with a trusting therapeutic relationship. She is committed to meeting clients where they are, helping them navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and work toward personal growth and improved well-being.
During her undergraduate years, Ashley gained experience working with children, adolescents, and individuals in community-based settings. During her time with Maryland Addiction Consultation Services (MACS), she helped expand statewide substance use treatment resources, maintained referral information, and observed clinical consultations to better understand addiction treatment and interdisciplinary care. During her senior-year field placement at SexEdVA, she facilitated evidence-based health education programs in middle and high schools, supported youth outreach initiatives, contributed to the development of a new outreach program for youth aging out of the foster care system, and assisted in organizing a community teen health fair. These undergraduate experiences strengthened her passion for education, prevention, advocacy, and client-centered practice.
Ashley has also experienced mentoring youth, providing one-on-one educational support, and working collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams. She is particularly interested in working with adolescents, young adults, and individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, self-esteem concerns, and other mental health challenges.
As she continues her clinical training, Ashley plans to integrate a person-centered, strengths-based approach with practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as mindfulness-based practice to help clients develop practical coping skills and build resilience. She believes that psychoeducation is an important part of the therapeutic process, empowering clients to better understand their emotions, behaviors, and relationships while helping clients build personal growth, develop healthy coping skills, and create meaningful change.