LCSW, 25 years of experience
Hello and welcome. I’m Ashley Butt, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, and trauma. I offer a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to do deep, meaningful work. My approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and centered around your unique needs and goals. I’m here to help you move beyond survival and reconnect with the version of yourself that feels whole, grounded, and empowered.
In our first session, we’ll talk through what’s bringing you to therapy, what you’re hoping to achieve, and any history or patterns that might help guide our work. You don’t need to have all the answers—I’ll meet you where you are. My goal is to create a supportive environment where you feel heard and respected as we begin building a plan that fits your needs and pace.
One of my greatest strengths is creating a space where clients feel deeply supported and emotionally safe. I specialize in EMDR therapy, which helps people process unresolved memories, reduce emotional distress, and gain lasting clarity. I integrate grounding, parts work, and nervous system regulation into sessions to help you heal both cognitively and somatically. Clients often describe our work as empowering, transformative, and relieving.
I work best with individuals who are feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or weighed down by past experiences. You may be highly capable on the outside but struggling internally with anxiety, low mood, or self-doubt. Many of my clients are looking for more than short-term coping—they want to understand what’s driving their patterns and create real, lasting change. If you’re ready to explore what’s holding you back and take the next step toward healing, we’ll likely be a great fit.
Recognizing the profound bond between humans and animals, Ashley has developed a unique expertise in assessing patients' needs for ESAs. She conducts thorough evaluations that consider individual histories, attachment styles, and environmental factors, ensuring that each client receives personalized recommendations. Her holistic approach draws from Attachment Theory and Ecological Systems Theory, emphasizing the importance of supportive relationships in fostering emotional healing.
This approach emphasizes the importance of personal growth, self-actualization, and the individual's experience. Ashley values the therapeutic relationship and understands that ESAs as a means to foster connection, compassion, and empathy, helping clients explore their feelings in a safe space.
I am a trained EMDR practitioner, having completed formal training accredited by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Over the past several years, I’ve used EMDR with a diverse range of clients, particularly those dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and early attachment injuries. EMDR has consistently proven to be a powerful and effective tool in helping clients process distressing memories that continue to impact their current functioning. How I Use EMDR in My Practice: If a client expresses interest in trauma work, however does not want to participate in a long term psychotherapeutic trauma informed approach, EMDR is a viable option as it is a highly effective short term intervention. In my clinical work, I incorporate EMDR as part of a holistic, client-centered approach. After a thorough intake and assessment phase, the client and I determine whether EMDR is an appropriate intervention. If so, I educate the patient on the process and then facilitate the 8-phase EMDR protocol: History Taking and Treatment Planning – We identify targets for EMDR based on past traumatic events, current triggers, and desired future adaptive responses. Preparation – I help clients develop coping skills and internal resources to ensure emotional stability throughout the process. Assessment – We target specific memories and identify associated images, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations. Desensitization – I guide clients through bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones) to process the targeted memory. Installation – We strengthen a positive belief to replace the previously negative or dysfunctional one. Body Scan – The client checks for any residual somatic distress. Closure – Each session ends with grounding techniques to ensure the client leaves feeling safe and contained. Re-evaluation – We review progress and determine if additional processing is needed. I take great care in pacing the work based on each individuals readiness and resilience. For clients with complex trauma or dissociative symptoms, I may spend more time in the preparation and stabilization phases before initiating memory processing. Benefits I’ve Observed: Many clients report significant shifts in emotional reactivity, self-perception, and overall functioning after EMDR. It often accelerates healing compared to traditional talk therapy alone and can lead to a sense of resolution and empowerment that allows individuals to move forward in their lives.
1 rating with written reviews
June 16, 2025
Immediate connection. Warm, caring. She gave me hope!!