Ashley Witherspoon
Hey! I'm a queer, Caribbean-American (of Gullah descent) Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in New York. I received my Masters from the Alliance University (formerly Nyack College) and have been practicing for approximately 5 years, but I've been in the Mental Health/Healthcare field for approximately 10.
I also believe that my personal experiences as a Queer woman with a Caribbean background helps me to understand clients with a similar background in a way that doesn't need to be explained.
I help older teens and adults who struggle with LGBTQ+ issues, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Management, and Grief become the best version of themselves.
First session
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. I'll make it feel more like a conversation so it flows well. This is the time to give as much information as possible so we know where to start and where you want to go.
Strengths
Having such a well-rounded experience over the past 10+ years of mentoring children in foster care, to providing care to adults with I/DD, to working as a therapist for all ages in the past 5 years, has helped me to gain so much experience with how to help others work towards their goals. I also believe that my personal experiences as a Black, Queer woman with a Caribbean background helps me to understand clients with a similar background in a way that doesn't need to be explained.
Ideal clients
If humor, comfortable conversation, and millennial lingo are your thing, you're gonna love it here! I love connecting with people where they're at and helping them feel progressively better about making positive changes. Even though I keep things comfortable, I also keep it real and my clients appreciate that soft, but tough, love from me. My clients are motivated to make change, respond well to feedback and are able to be self-aware.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a great method to help clients see the relationship between feelings and behavior in order to change the way clients think and behave. While using this method, I have helped clients to face changes that they wanted to make in their own lives and the behaviors/thoughts that held them back from the goals they had for themselves.
Motivational Interviewing
I use this method as a way to help clients identify their goals and their motivation to change not only their mindset and behavior. Through empathy and reflective listening, we'll identify your goals, current barriers, and create an action plan to make the changes you want to see.
Psychodynamic
I will work with you to help you identify and understand the relationship between habits, patterns and beliefs that may influence the choices one may make, as well as their everyday level and function.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I work with clients to increase and improve their motivation towards achieving their goals and overall functioning. I will also help you to understand your thoughts and feelings through reflection and conversation.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 014278