LCSW, 7 years of experience
Therapist, social worker, recovering alcoholic, dog lover. That's me in a nutshell. My name is Ashley, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in CA, CO, NE and SD. I have worked in the behavioral health field for 20+ years, and have been licensed since 2017. I see clients of all ages for individual sessions via telehealth. I have a plethora of experience with different populations including homeless veterans, survivors of domestic violence, terminally ill patients, and children affected by trauma. I have also worked in settings such as the emergency room, crisis lines, and EAP programs, to name a few.
I like to hear what they perceive the issue to be, how did it get to this point, what kind of support do they have, what have they tried before to help with the issue, and what are they wanting to get out of our sessions together.
Probably my ability to "think outside the box" and come up with creative solutions. I would say I am an "unconconventional" therapist. If my client wants to practice yoga and meditation in session, let's do it. If they want to pray together, I'm in. If they want to know about my life experience, I'm an open book. Does my dog come to sessions with me? Sure does, and clients love her!
I love working with substance abusers, trauma survivors, and dual diagnosis clients. I know, firsthand, how difficult an addict can be to work with, and how we often break our loved ones' hearts and put them through the ringer. I do not believe there is just one way to "get sober," and I am supportive of a client's choice on which path they take. I firmly believe that as long as we are still breathing, there is still hope.
I have used ACT mostly with individuals and groups, who suffer from chronic illness and pain issues. ACT includes the use of mindfulness and clarifying one's values, and helps the client to change their relationship with their troubling health symptoms so they no longer hold the them back from "valued living."
CBT is almost always a clinician's first learned and most easily used treatment when starting out, and I can say that rings true for me, as well. It is fairly simple to learn for the client, and involves assisting them with identifying and changing problematic thoughts that have a negative effect on their emotions and behavior. I use it with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, stress, self-esteem and/or relationship issues.
I am certified in TF-CBT and have used it with children ages 3-18, who have experienced events such as witnessing/being the victim of violence, serious injury, physical or sexual abuse, or separation from caregivers/entering the foster system. Treatment is structured and can be completed in as few as 12 sessions. Typical treatment includes: a. Education about trauma and common reactions of children b. Help with parenting and behavior problems c. Stress Management d. Learning about feelings and ways to express them e. Coping skills f. Learning about our thoughts, feelings, and actions g. Developing creative ways for kids to gradually tell their stories about the trauma h. Changing unhelpful thoughts about the trauma and integrating trauma into child’s life experience i. Caregiver sessions to help the caregiver talk together about the trauma j. Learning and practicing safety skills
I love SFBT because it is much less costly for the client than other forms of therapy, and can usually be completed in 5-8 sessions. I have used it extensively with EAP clients, who have a goal in mind or want to focus on a solution. We pull from the client's strengths and already-existing resources to tackle the issue at-hand.
Before I went into private practice, I was a hospice and palliative care social worker. As you can imagine, I did a lot of grief therapy with the patient's loved ones, but sometimes also with the patient themselves. I encountered many who were experiencing anticipatory, and some prolonged grief. Treatment used involves CBT, ACT, and sometimes spirituality. I have also worked in a busy ER in my younger days, and have experienced treating traumatic grief involving a sudden, unexpected loss such as a death caused by an accident or violence, a death by suicide, or the premature death of a child.