Stacie Ashley-Williams
Hi! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California with 30 years of clinical experience. I have been a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) since 2017 and PEERS® certified since 2021. I hold a master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University. I specialize in working with neurodivergent adults, with a particular focus on women, including individuals who are autistic, have ADHD, identify with both, or are exploring whether neurodivergence may be part of their experience. Many of the clients I work with experience anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, burnout, masking, sensory overload, executive functioning challenges, or difficulty balancing their own needs with the expectations of work, school, relationships, and everyday life.
I provide therapy for adults ages 18 and older who are experiencing anxiety, depression, difficulty managing emotions, or challenges related to autism spectrum disorder.
First session
The first session is an opportunity to become comfortable with the therapy process and begin identifying what matters most. We will discuss current concerns, strengths, needs, and goals at a comfortable pace. Clients can expect a supportive, nonjudgmental environment and will leave with greater clarity about their concerns and an individualized plan to guide our work together.
Strengths
With 30 years of clinical experience, I bring compassion, insight, and practical guidance to each session. One of my strengths is helping clients recognize patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, or burnout while also identifying the strengths and strategies they already possess. My approach stands out because I combine Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a neurodiversity-affirming perspective. I work with neurodivergent adults, with a particular focus on women, to better understand their experiences without treating neurodivergence as something that needs to be fixed. Together, we explore difficult thoughts and emotions, masking, personal values, boundaries, and individual needs, while developing practical strategies you can use outside of therapy. I believe therapy should be collaborative, individualized, and meaningful. My goal is to create a space where clients feel understood while also providing the structure and tools needed to make progress toward a life that feels more authentic, manageable, and aligned with what matters most to them.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are neurodivergent adults, with a particular focus on women, who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, burnout, masking, sensory overload, or executive functioning challenges. Many are balancing work, school, relationships, and everyday responsibilities while feeling exhausted or disconnected from their own needs. They seek greater self-understanding, emotional balance, healthier boundaries, and practical strategies to build a more meaningful, sustainable life.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage difficult thoughts and emotions without feeling controlled by them. ACT focuses on building mindfulness, self-compassion, and coping skills as you take meaningful steps toward the life you want. Instead of trying to “get rid of” every uncomfortable feeling, we work on accepting what we can’t control and committing to actions that align with our values.
Location
Virtual sessions