As someone who has experienced first-hand my own issues with depression, anxiety, and grief, I understand how hopeless it can feel sometimes.
When you’re exhausted with feeling overwhelmed, or you’re confused about which direction to move in to feel better, it can truly feel like no one in your immediate life understands what you’re going through.
But everyone would benefit from therapy if they were willing to try it. It’s definitely pulled me out of some of the worst times in my life and guided me back to myself when I felt like I was drowning.
When people get to this point when they are really struggling, most aren’t brave enough to ask for help, or they convince themselves to just hang on until things get better.
Yeah, sometimes things do get better, and sometimes things actually get worse and your life can feel like it’s spiraling out of control.
If things don’t seem that catastrophic for you right now, that’s great, but it’s also true that wallowing in confusion about what you want in your life or what you need to be happy can start to feel heavy, depressing, and anxiety-provoking. Sometimes it’s all we can muster up to just get out of bed in the morning and get ourselves moving. And trying to sort things out on your own can just feel insurmountable, or even impossible when you feel like you are barely holding it all together.
Believe it or not, there is actually peace and fulfillment on the other side, even if right now on your worst days you’re feeling consumed by negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The truth is, the REAL you is in there, and I can help you sort through the confusion, trauma, or unhelpful coping mechanisms you’ve developed over the years. In fact, I actually do my best work with clients who long to feel contentment within themselves, but feel haunted by their traumatic past or they can’t seem to garner their strengths because they feel crushed by the demands of life and the needs of others.
When I’m working with clients, my therapeutic style is down-to-earth and flexible, and I’ve been known to use humor at times to break through negative patterns and behaviors that can cause barriers to growth. I have found a lighter, casual approach can help clients feel more relaxed in opening up about the painful experiences that have held them back.
I love working with those who come into the therapy process motivated, exhibit openness to trust the process, and are willing to test out new ways of thinking and behaving that might be out of their normal comfort zone. In fact, what I’ve seen is that this combination of traits can be a catalyst for true change.
By providing a space of warmth and safety, I strive to make my clients feel comfortable enough to be themselves, while also challenging them to develop the confidence and strength to make decisions that are aligned with their values and best life.
People tell me I am different than other therapists they have had, as I have a refreshing approach that makes them hopeful and excited for the future. I provide feedback to my clients rather than “just listening” or giving advice, I make them feel at ease even when they are talking about things they have never told someone else before, and I teach them how to move forward in their lives rather than dwelling on the past.
More about Ashlie…
Ashlie completed her undergrad at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, and completed her Masters in Counseling at the University of Houston. Early in her counseling career, she spent many years working at a suicide hotline, the Harris County Jail System, community mental health, and psychiatric hospitals. In all these contexts she encountered clients who had dual diagnoses and/or complex trauma histories and she eventually learned that she felt unequipped with traditional CBT and talk therapy. Ashlie sought out more training, and this is when she found EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, NARM, and hypnotherapy, which she has found to be “game changers” in the work she does with clients.
Ashlie’s work with clients is also deeply informed by the work of Pia Mellody and Diane Poole-Heller, as she has found that our family of origin and early attachment figures create our earliest patterns of how we relate to ourselves, as well as other people.
Ashlie enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as going to concerts, seeing movies, and traveling. She loves to try new restaurants, while also holding a special place in her heart for chocolate, Gardetto’s, and Dr. Pepper.
Fees:
$220 for 60-minute intake
$195 per 50-minute session
