Ashley D. Harper
I'm Ashley Harper, MSW, LISW-S, a Licensed Independent Social Worker with supervisory designation and the proud owner of Serenity Pathways Behavioral Health Services, LLC. I am passionate about helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges, strengthen relationships, embrace their authentic selves, and achieve meaningful emotional and personal growth. My practice is rooted in compassion, inclusivity, authenticity, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe, affirming, and judgment-free environment. I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, personality disorders, emotional dysregulation, grief, relationship difficulties, intimacy concerns, and challenges related to sexual health and wellness.
My work is informed by both clinical expertise and lived experience, allowing me to provide grounded, compassionate, and authentic care.
A significant focus of my work involves intimacy, sexuality, and relationship dynamics. I provide sex-positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, kink-aware, and consensual non-monogamy-affirming care. Whether you are exploring sexual identity, navigating desire discrepancies, addressing sexual shame, rebuilding intimacy, healing from sexual trauma, or working through challenges associated with polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, or BDSM dynamics, my goal is to provide a supportive space where difficult or sensitive conversations can occur openly and without fear of judgment. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed interventions. Treatment is individualized because no two people, relationships, or experiences are identical. My therapeutic style combines genuine empathy, honesty, humor, direct communication, and practical tools. I believe therapy should feel like a collaborative partnership where you are supported, appropriately challenged, and empowered to make meaningful changes. Above all, I want clients to know they do not need to hide parts of themselves to be accepted. Whether you are seeking emotional stability, deeper intimacy, healthier boundaries, greater self-awareness, or stronger relationships, you deserve care that recognizes and respects the whole person.
First session
Our first session is about getting to know you—not expecting you to have everything figured out. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what has been weighing on you, and what you would like to change or better understand. My style is conversational and relaxed, and we’ll work together to identify goals at a pace that feels comfortable and realistic for you.
Strengths
I bring a combination of clinical experience, genuine empathy, authenticity, humor, direct communication, and a strong commitment to creating a safe, collaborative, and judgment-free therapeutic environment. I believe effective therapy involves more than simply listening; it requires meaningful conversations, practical strategies, accountability, and a willingness to explore difficult topics with compassion and honesty. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to help clients feel comfortable discussing subjects they may have previously avoided because of shame, embarrassment, stigma, or fear of judgment. I approach conversations surrounding sexuality, intimacy, sexual functioning, identity, kink, BDSM, consensual non-monogamy, polyamory, infidelity, desire discrepancies, and relationship challenges with openness, professionalism, and respect. I recognize that sexual and relational concerns rarely exist in isolation. Trauma histories, attachment patterns, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and communication difficulties can significantly influence intimacy and relationship satisfaction. My approach considers the interconnected nature of emotional health, sexual wellness, and interpersonal relationships. I integrate evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based interventions. I focus on helping clients develop emotional regulation skills, identify unhealthy patterns, improve communication, strengthen boundaries, and build healthier connections. My personality is an important part of my therapeutic approach. I am compassionate and supportive, but I am also honest and straightforward when appropriate. I believe there is room for humor, authenticity, and even a little tough love within a strong therapeutic relationship. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach or imposing personal beliefs on clients. Instead, I meet individuals where they are, respect their autonomy, and collaboratively develop treatment goals that reflect their needs and values. Ultimately, my strength lies in helping clients feel accepted while encouraging meaningful growth, self-awareness, confidence, and lasting change.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves, improve their relationships, and create meaningful change in their life. I enjoy working with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, intimacy or sexual concerns, communication difficulties, identity, and major life transitions. I especially value clients who want a supportive, open-minded, and judgment-free space where they can be authentic, explore difficult topics, and work toward greater confidence, connection, and emotional well-being.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person-centered approach by meeting clients where they are and creating a supportive, accepting, and nonjudgmental space where they can feel heard and understood. I believe clients are the experts on their own lives, so therapy is collaborative and guided by each person’s individual needs, strengths, values, and goals.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based framework throughout my clinical work to help clients identify, access, and expand the internal and external resources that support resilience and change. My experience with this approach is grounded in the belief that individuals come to therapy with existing competencies, values, and coping skills that can be leveraged to promote growth, healing, and improved functioning.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach by creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can move at a pace that feels comfortable for them. I focus on understanding how past experiences may impact current emotions, relationships, behaviors, and coping patterns while emphasizing choice, collaboration, empowerment, and personal strengths throughout the therapeutic process.
Sex Therapy
I use sex therapy to help clients explore concerns related to intimacy, sexual wellness, desire, communication, relationships, and sexual identity in a safe, affirming, and judgment-free environment. My approach is sex-positive, kink-aware, and inclusive of diverse relationship structures, with a focus on helping clients improve communication, build confidence, strengthen connection, and develop a healthier relationship with sexuality and intimacy.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions645 Linden Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- OhioLicense I.2405422-SUPV