Meet Ashley Nelson

We recently connected with Ashley Nelson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I grew up in a family of hard workers, but I was especially influenced by my father. He went to work every day, sometimes holding multiple jobs, demonstrating what it meant to provide for and support a family. From him, I learned the value of a strong reputation and the importance of integrity in the workplace—being someone others could trust and rely on. He instilled in me honor, respect, and dedication, shaping the person I am today and the values I continue to uphold.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a mom of five, and a full-time grad student operating a consulting business. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and am working towards my master’s in Clinical Mental Health. I started working as the office manager at a local counseling & consulting practice and quickly learned that I am gifted in certain areas. I took every opportunity to expand my knowledge and skill base, and with the support of the owners of the counseling practice, took a leap of faith to start a consulting practice related to private practice/behavioral health.

Divergent Billing & Consulting was founded in March 2024. I provide consulting, education, billing/credentialing training, and services. Basically, everything you may need to start a private practice or bring your practice to an efficient, effective level of performance. Starting Divergent Billing & Consulting, I wanted to encapsulate who I am while setting an example for my children that nothing can stop you! I am an Autistic woman who has achieved a lot in my life so far through hard work and perseverance. I wanted to show my children that even though we may have hurdles in life, we can learn, grow, and do so much more than we realize! DBC highlights that for me! My company motto is “From complexity to clarity”. I believe through my neurodivergence, I can view the world in an unusual way that allows me to take difficult tasks and simplify them so that it is easy for everyone to understand. I love what I do and want to share the knowledge with others!

Divergent Billing & Consulting is your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of behavioral health billing, contracting, credentialing, claim resolution, and office management training. With over a decade of unwavering dedication and expertise, we bring a distinctive perspective and unparalleled learning capabilities to every obstacle we face.

At Divergent Billing & Consulting, we understand that each practice is unique, facing its own set of hurdles and opportunities. That’s why we offer tailored solutions designed to address your specific needs. From office management to private practice start-up and practice efficacy processes, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Our neurodivergent approach sets us apart, allowing us to provide personalized consultations that truly resonate with your needs. Whether you’re grappling with rejections, denials, or other billing issues, our team of experts is here to offer expert guidance and unwavering support.

We offer a comprehensive range of services designed to address all your billing and administrative needs. Some of these services are:

Behavioral Health Billing, Consultation & Education
Contracting and Credentialing Guidance
Claim Follow-up Support
Rejection and Denial Resolution
Billing Process Optimization
Personalized Guidance and Support
Office Management Training
Learn to Bill Insurance through an EHR system
Private Practice Administrative Start-Up

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

That’s a great question! If I had to reflect on what has made the biggest impact in my journey, I’d say these three things stand out:

Adaptability & Continuous Learning – The ability to take in new information and adjust responses accordingly. This means staying curious and open-minded. Learn from your peers, seek feedback, and embrace learning from failure just as much as from success.

Effective Communication – Understanding how to express ideas clearly and engage meaningfully with different audiences is key. Whether it’s writing, public speaking, or just day-to-day conversations, practice by explaining complex topics in simple terms, seeking out diverse perspectives, and actively listening.

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking – Being able to analyze challenges and approach them methodically has made a huge difference. Developing this skill means asking good questions, breaking problems down into smaller parts, and testing solutions systematically.

For someone early in their journey, I’d recommend focusing on developing a growth mindset—seeing challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. Seek mentors, set small learning goals, and continuously push outside your comfort zone.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client would be behavioral health private practice owners and operators who are looking for expert guidance in billing, practice management, credentialing, or starting their private practice.

The best fit would be professionals who:
Are growth-oriented – They want to scale their practice efficiently and are open to implementing best practices.
Value organization and compliance – They understand the importance of proper credentialing, accurate billing, and operational efficiency.
Are proactive but need expert support – They’re hands-on with their practice but recognize the need for specialized help to streamline processes.
Want to improve financial health – They’re focused on reducing claim denials, optimizing revenue cycles, and ensuring financial stability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.divergentbilling.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562611683821

Image Credits

@blue suite image- Renee Bentley