Who I Am

Ashley is a Cape Codder- born and raised on Cape Cod.  She graduated from Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.  Ashley earned a bachelor of science degree in rehabilitation services from the University of Maine at Farmington and a master of science degree in counseling specializing in mental health from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has work experience in wilderness therapy and agency settings, as well as in equine assisted counseling.  She entered private practice in the fall of 2014.

 Ashley practices an integrative approach to counseling, which means that she has pulled different bits and pieces from different theories and models and has woven them together.  She pulls from this to tailor her counseling approach to the unique needs of each client as an individual.  Elements of her approach include cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, solution focused, and Gestalt/experiential.  Ashley believes in the power of nature and of animals and incorporates animal assisted interventions.  She also uses books, art, and creativity as well as play, and brings in developmental frameworks and the wellness model. 

Ashley collaborates with clients, their families, and communities. 

cades cove, great smoky mountains national park

Ashley and teddy

Ashley and blondie

teddy is a therapy dog in training, providing animal assisted therapy interventions

Lucky and Ducky- Ashley’s other four-legged family members

Teddy and Blondie

Teddy

Teddy is a cockapoo who is currently in training to become a therapy dog.  Therapy dogs are dogs that are trained to provide animal assisted interventions in counseling sessions, nursing homes, and schools as well as other community locations.  They are not service dogs or emotional support animals.

Teddy loves to meet new people and play.  He has a great sense of humor and is very expressive.  Teddy’s favorite places are the beach and the barn where Blondie lives.  His favorite thing to do is to play with his toys, cuddle, and give puppy kisses.

Blondie           

Blondie is a Haflinger mare and is a rescue.  While Blondie has officially retired from work with clients, she still has a significant impact on Ashley’s work with clients.  Blondie loved her work, but needed a break from the emotional weight of interacting with clients.  She enjoys a good belly scratch and eating her hay.  She is also very expressive and is very perceptive of what’s going on around her and with the people she meets.  She enjoys meeting new people and figuring things out.  Anything left on her fences is fair game for her to play with and she especially loves gloves and zippers.  Ashley’s experiences providing equine-assisted counseling and her partnership with Blondie helped her to develop skills that make her a better counselor. There are many instances where her experiences at the barn come into her work with clients in the office.

Office Location

Located in Dennis, MA, a short drive from exits 8 or 9 off the Mid-Cape Highway (Route 6), along scenic Route 6A. Situated in the heart of Dennis Village in Theatre Marketplace.