Dr. Ashley Neal, DNP
Hi everyone! I'm Dr. Neal. I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) based in Connecticut. I received my Doctorate from Fairfield University and have 9 years experience in mental health. Everyone deserves a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with professionalism, compassion and techniques empowering you to overcome any obstacles. I specialize in Medication Management, Trauma-Informed care (TIC), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I use these modalities to assist me in supporting my clients to reach their goals and become the best versions of themselves. Let's work together!
First session
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, we'll get a sense of safety and collect emergency contact information, but then we'll get right into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a person-centered plan for us to work through in subsequent sessions.
Strengths
Having chosen a profession that was a lifelong dream, I have an ability to connect with others in a way they haven't experienced before. I've developed the ability to meet people where they are and without immediate expectations. I've developed the ability to truly listen, and to provide empathy so that individual treatment planning actually makes sense and encourages compliance, which enables clients to finally meet their goals.
Ideal clients
I love working with clients who have a general awareness of their mental health needs and are open to free-flowing, gentle but also realistic conversation about treatment goals and options. Individuals who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed about life in general, those needing some direction about their careers, or those struggling with the aftermath of trauma, no matter how big or small, are the clients that I am best positioned to serve at this time.
Treatment methods
Trauma-Informed Care
Experience with any form of trauma can have long-lasting effects on a person's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. In using Trauma Informed Care (TIC), my aim is to create a safe and empowering environment for my clients by understanding the impact of trauma on their lives. This treatment approach emphasizes the importance of safety for those who feel hyper vigilant and vulnerable. My focus is to build a trusting and collaborative therapeutic alliance with my clients, as well as respecting a client's background and experiences. This approach encourages empowerment and choice! Clients actively participate in their treatment decisions to regain a sense of control over their lives. TIC also acknowledges the interconnectedness of the trauma on other aspects of well-being such as mental health, substance abuse, and social support. This approach allows me to provide a compassionate and effective approach to help my clients begin to heal from their experiences and promote their overall well-being. Intuitive psychotherapy and trauma informed medication management (as desired/needed) are the mainstays of this powerful approach to healing.
Reality Therapy
Reality therapy focuses on the present moment and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and to make choices that lead to positive change. In treatment, this is used for clients who may feel "stuck" in their lives. I use this approach in treatment to help my clients identify their unmet needs and develop strategies to meet those needs in a responsible and satisfying manner. The emphasis here is on self-awareness and personal accountability, self evaluation, and the creation of realistic plans to achieve your desired goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely used in psychotherapy and is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is a form of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. CBT replaces negative thoughts and behaviors by challenging them with more realistic and positive ones, empowering my clients to develop healthier coping strategies and improve their overall well-being. This therapy is helpful for anxiety, depression, and phobias.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- ConnecticutLicense 11601