Ashley Smith is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado, Virginia, and West Virginia, committed to guiding individuals through their journey toward optimal and holistic wellness. With a deep dedication to helping clients overcome various personal and emotional barriers, Ashley specializes in providing support to those facing life’s complex challenges. Her approach focuses on understanding each individual’s unique needs and circumstances, offering tailored strategies to promote healing and growth. By fostering a compassionate and empowering therapeutic environment, Ashley aims to assist clients in navigating their difficulties and achieving a balanced, fulfilling life. Her goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves, supporting their efforts to reach their fullest potential and enhance their overall well-being.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
When working with me, expect a compassionate, patient, and solution-focused approach. The intake process involves a thorough assessment to tailor sessions to your unique needs. Progress is made through small, manageable steps, focusing on both short-term achievements and long-term change. I often assign homework to reinforce session discussions and help apply new skills to real life. I prefer working with clients committed to personal growth and open to exploring new strategies for managing their issues. My specialties include anger management, trauma, behavioral therapy, and animal-assisted therapy, making my expertise particularly beneficial for clients dealing with applicable challenges. Overall, you’ll find a supportive, encouraging environment where your well-being is the priority, and we work collaboratively toward your healing and personal development.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Becoming a therapist was my first career choice in high school. My upbringing instilled a deep desire to help those who struggle to help themselves. My path was shaped by a strong sense of empathy and a natural inclination to encourage others. For the past five years, I’ve worked in addiction and co-occurring disorders counseling, gaining invaluable insights and skills. This experience has shaped my compassionate, patient, and solution-focused practice. I specialize in anger management, trauma, behavioral therapy, and animal-assisted therapy; these specializations are integral to my approach. Anger management and trauma therapy help clients navigate their emotions and past experiences; behavioral therapy focuses on developing positive behaviors to replace harmful patterns; and animal-assisted therapy uses the therapeutic power of human-animal interactions. Overall, my background and experiences have equipped me with diverse skills and a deep commitment to helping others.
About Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals live more meaningful lives by encouraging them to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them. It focuses on increasing psychological flexibility through mindfulness, acceptance, and value-based actions. In practice, therapists assess clients' values and goals, then use techniques like cognitive defusion and mindfulness exercises to help them stay present and aligned with their values. ACT also involves setting and pursuing goals that reflect what is most important to clients, despite any internal struggles. This approach can be integrated with other therapies to address various aspects of a client's needs, although resistance to acceptance might be a challenge. The core aim is to help clients lead a more fulfilling life by embracing their experiences and taking action in line with their values.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors by identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It involves structured sessions where clients learn to recognize distorted thinking and replace it with more realistic, balanced thoughts. CBT focuses on setting specific goals and using practical strategies to address issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. Therapists work with clients to develop coping skills and behavioral changes through techniques such as cognitive restructuring and behavioral experiments. The approach is often short-term and evidence-based, aiming to improve clients’ functioning and quality of life. By addressing both cognitive and behavioral aspects, CBT empowers individuals to make lasting changes and enhance their overall well-being.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling helps partners address and resolve relationship issues through guided communication and problem-solving. It focuses on improving emotional connection, understanding, and effective communication between partners. Therapists assist couples in identifying and discussing underlying problems, setting mutual goals, and developing strategies to enhance their relationship. The process often involves exploring patterns of behavior, managing conflicts, and building intimacy. By fostering a supportive environment, couples counseling aims to strengthen the relationship and help partners navigate challenges together. The ultimate goal is to create a healthier, more fulfilling partnership by addressing both individual and relational dynamics.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve interpersonal relationships. It integrates mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to address issues like borderline personality disorder and self-harm. DBT involves individual therapy sessions and skills training groups where clients learn practical strategies to handle emotional distress and enhance their coping mechanisms. The therapy emphasizes balancing acceptance and change, aiming to help clients develop healthier ways of managing their emotions and interactions. By fostering skills in these key areas, DBT supports clients in leading more stable and fulfilling lives.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered counseling approach designed to enhance motivation and commitment to change. It involves exploring and resolving ambivalence by guiding clients to articulate their own reasons for change and reinforcing their intrinsic motivations. Through empathetic listening and open-ended questions, therapists help clients build self-efficacy and develop a plan for achieving their goals. MI is particularly effective for addressing behaviors like substance abuse or lifestyle changes, focusing on strengthening the client's own desire and readiness for change. The approach fosters a collaborative relationship, empowering clients to take ownership of their decisions and progress.