Ms. Ashley graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and minors in Educational Studies and Disabilities in Society. While completing her undergraduate degree, she worked as a teacher at a local preschool, where she discovered her interest in working with children.  She also volunteered at a local elementary school, working with the guidance counselor to provide support and encouragement, as well as one-on-one attention, to those children in need.

 

Following graduation, Ms. Ashley returned to school to pursue a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.  During her time in her graduate program at the University of South Florida, Ms. Ashley continued to work with children, as an ESE teacher at a local elementary school, as an ESL teacher, and as a Behavior Therapist.  Ms. Ashley had a variety of clinical experiences while completing her Master’s Degree, including interning at a private practice to counsel children and teens, at a women’s residential substance abuse facility to help clients with dual diagnoses (substance abuse and mental health concerns), and at the Department of Education’s Vocational Rehabilitation to work with individuals with disabilities and mental health diagnoses.

 

Additionally, she earned a scholarship awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and completed coursework pertaining to career counseling and the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. Ms. Ashley is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

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After obtaining her Master's Degree, Ms. Ashley worked as a mental health counselor at a private practice in South Tampa, working with clientele ages 4 years old to individuals in their mid-30's.  Ms. Ashley's work with these individuals centered around anxiety, depression, stressful transitions, trauma, and self-esteem.  She also worked as a vocational evaluator, in which she interviewed and assessed clients with disabilities who were seeking vocational services.  Ms. Ashley provided insight into the abilities, interests, aptitudes, and limitations of these individuals, and assisted with evaluating the labor market to determine opportunities for these individuals to succeed.

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Ms. Ashley moved on to work for the Florida Department of Education's Vocational Rehabilitation program, where the focus was to provide guidance and counseling to clients with physical and/or mental disabilities ages 16 years old to over 70 years old, and assist them with finding employment.  Ms. Ashley worked with these clients using a collaborative approach, assessing their abilities, limitations, and needs, and providing referrals and resources to pursue a positive employment outcome.

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Ms. Ashley was employed with the University of South Florida, working with students seeking services through the university's Counseling Center.  Due to the short-term nature of treatment at the center, Ms. Ashley is familiar with and utilized Solution-Focused therapy modalities as well as more directive approaches.  The majority of the mental health concerns that Ms. Ashley addressed and worked on with this population included anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, college and career counseling, life transitions, and self-esteem.