Ashley Latona
I am Ashley, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified (LCSW-C) dedicated to supporting individuals and families on their journeys toward healing and growth. In my practice, I work with adults and adolescents (ages 12 and up), and I especially enjoy working with parents who are navigating the unique challenges and stressors of parenting. I also work with young children (ages 2 to 7) specifically seeking virtual Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Utilizing a client-centered and solution-focused approach, I provide a warm, collaborative space designed to help you and your family build resilience, strengthen relationships, and achieve lasting change.
First session
During our first session, our primary focus will be on building a comfortable connection and understanding your unique needs. We will discuss what brings you to therapy, explore your current challenges, and begin identifying your personal goals for our work together. This initial meeting is a collaborative, low-pressure conversation where we will map out a tailored plan using client-centered and solution-focused approaches. For parents seeking virtual Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), this first session is a caregiver-only consultation. Together, we will discuss your child's developmental history and current behavioral challenges, and we will thoroughly review what to expect over the entire course of the PCIT program. Ultimately, my goal is for you to leave our first session feeling heard, respected, and clear on the path forward.
Strengths
My clinical approach is defined by a unique blend of deep empathy, structured evidence-based practice, and a commitment to meeting you exactly where you are. Having worked across the continuum of care since 2015—from direct care to clinical practice—I bring a grounded, real-world understanding of human resilience. My practice stands out because of how seamlessly I integrate client-centered and solution-focused therapies. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all model, I honor your autonomy and expertise in your own life, while actively helping you identify practical, actionable steps to move forward. Additionally, my specialized training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) allows me to bring highly effective, real-time coaching to parents navigating behavioral challenges. Whether I am working with an adult, a teenager, or coaching a parent virtually, my strengths lie in my ability to build a safe, non-judgmental alliance, translate complex clinical concepts into practical daily tools, and empower you to recognize and build upon your own inherent strengths.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is an adult, teenager (12 and up), or parent who is ready to collaborate and actively participate in their own growth, even if they currently feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain of the next steps. They may be navigating anxiety, depression, major life transitions, or interpersonal conflict, and are looking for a supportive space to process these challenges while developing practical tools for change. I also love working with parents who are struggling with parenting stressors and feel motivated to strengthen their relationship with their child. For virtual Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), my ideal client is a caregiver of a child aged 2 to 7 who is experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges and is open to learning, practicing, and implementing new positive parenting strategies in real-time. Ultimately, my ideal client does not need to have all the answers. They simply need a willingness to partner with me, a desire for positive change, and an openness to exploring their own strengths and resilience.
Treatment methods
Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT)
In my practice, I utilize Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) as a highly collaborative, virtual intervention designed to strengthen the parent-child bond and address challenging childhood behaviors. Because I conduct PCIT virtually, caregivers and their children (ages 2 to 7) are able to participate from the comfort and natural environment of their own home, where behavioral challenges typically occur. The treatment is structured into two distinct phases, which we navigate together: Child-Directed Interaction (CDI): In this first phase, the focus is on enhancing the parent-child relationship. I teach caregivers specific, play therapy-based skills to build a secure attachment, increase your child's self-esteem, and encourage positive social behaviors. Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI): Once a strong relational foundation is established, we transition to the second phase. Here, I teach caregivers structured, consistent, and safe discipline techniques to manage non-compliance, defiance, and emotional outbursts. The Virtual Coaching Model During our active PCIT sessions, I use a "coaching" model. You and your child will engage in play while I observe via a secure video feed. Using a discreet earbud (or computer audio), I provide you with real-time, immediate coaching and feedback. This allows you to practice new parenting strategies in the moment, build immediate confidence, and successfully manage behaviors as they happen. By utilizing PCIT in this way, I empower you with concrete, lifetime tools to foster a calmer, more cooperative, and loving household.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a collaborative, highly practical framework to help adults and adolescents (ages 12 and up) understand the powerful connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When we experience anxiety, depression, or high levels of stress, it is easy to fall into negative or distorted thinking patterns that keep us feeling stuck. Here is how I integrate CBT into our sessions to help you achieve lasting change: Identifying Negative Thought Patterns: Together, we will identify automatic, unhelpful thoughts—such as catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, or self-doubt—that may be fueling your emotional distress. Reframing and Challenging Beliefs: I will guide you in objectively examining these thoughts and replacing them with more balanced, realistic, and compassionate perspectives. Developing Practical Coping Skills: CBT is highly action-oriented. We will work on building concrete, daily strategies—such as problem-solving techniques, behavioral activation, and stress-management tools—that you can immediately apply outside of our sessions. Client-Centered Collaboration: Because my approach is client-centered, we move at your pace. You choose which challenges to target, and we work as a team to break down overwhelming problems into manageable, actionable steps. By using CBT, my goal is to equip you with a personalized "toolkit" of cognitive and behavioral strategies, empowering you to become your own therapist and confidently navigate future life challenges.
Strength-Based
In my practice, I utilize strength-based therapy as an empowering, collaborative framework that shifts the focus from "what is wrong with you" to "what is strong within you." It is easy to lose sight of your capabilities when navigating anxiety, depression, parenting stressors, or difficult life transitions. My role is to help you rediscover and leverage the internal resources you already possess. Here is how I integrate a strength-based approach into our work together: Identifying Inherent Strengths: We begin by exploring your unique history, values, and past successes. Together, we identify the resilience, coping skills, and personal insights that have helped you survive and navigate challenges in the past. Reframing Challenges: Instead of viewing your struggles solely through a lens of deficit or pathology, we reframe them as opportunities to build upon your existing toolkit. We look at how your natural traits can be redirected to help you overcome current obstacles. Collaborative Goal Setting: Because this approach is deeply client-centered, you are the expert on your own life. We collaborate to set goals that align with your personal values, ensuring the strategies we develop feel authentic, sustainable, and empowering to you. Fostering Self-Efficacy: By focusing on your strengths, we build your confidence and self-esteem. This shift in perspective helps you feel more capable of managing stress, navigating interpersonal relationships, and making positive changes. Whether I am working with an individual adult, a teenager, or coaching a parent, my goal is to ensure you leave therapy not just with fewer symptoms, but with a profound appreciation for your own resilience and the power to direct your own growth.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- MarylandLicense 30150