Meet Ashley Ward

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Ward. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

How have you overcome or persisted despite the challenges related to mental health issues?

As a psychotherapist, I have learned that we all have our story and that we all face challenges in our lives. Throughout my life experiences of growing up in different neighbors and learning how to embrace being African American and Hispanic, was quite a challenge. Being multiracial was not easy for me because I was challenged by both communities for being “mixed”. It was either “ you’re too light skin”, “ your hair isn’t like mine”, and unkind comments that made it evident that I did not fit in a specific group. I always felt like I was different and struggled being “ black enough”, “brown enough”, and “ fitting in”. In addition, I was made fun of in elementary school by classmates for being overweight. All of these challenges contributed to trauma, depression, and anxiety. However, I used these experiences to build character and embrace being different and unique. I had to learn to change my mindset and focus on “ just being the best version of me for me”. I am grateful that my parents and my mentor always remind me until this day of my beauty and intelligence. Having people that believed in me helped me get out of my head and move forward. I used all the criticizing remarks as fuel to embrace being multiracial and to love myself more.
Playing sports such as basketball, track and field, volleyball, soccer , and softball from elementary to graduating from college. I played basketball for two years of college. Sports helped me overcome mental health. Being an all around athlete and being good at it helped me find a place in which “I fit in”. I remember being captain of the basketball varsity team my junior year of high school and going to shot put and discus CIF championships every year of high school. Sports helped me push through depression and anxiety and taught me to be mentally and physically strong.As I was passionate about sports and being good at it I was awarded athlete of the year when I graduated from St.Matthias High School. I remember that I dreamed of having my name up in the gym as athlete of the year and I made it happen.
Being the first generation in my family to earn a Master’s of Arts degree was also another milestone I pushed through. It’s tough when you’re the first generation to graduate undergraduate and graduate school. I had anxiety and demonstrated some symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I had to learn how to navigate college life on my own and thankfully I had few professors and staff to guide me. As I diligently stayed focused and disciplined, I graduated from Loyola Marymount University with both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and continued my education by completing a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling.

Reflecting on how I have overcome mental health challenges in my life, I was inspired to be a psychotherapist. It’s was not easy to process the pain that came with trauma, depression, and anxiety, but I made a choice to use that pain to build me up and be the successful woman I am today.

I am a business owner in which I have my private practice, Awardwellness Psychotherapy Services. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor In California, Florida, Oregon, and Washington. I specialize in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. I am certified in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Mindfulness Therapy.

There is a stigma about therapy which makes it difficult for people to seek help. I understand that culturally we have our personal beliefs about mental health, generational beliefs about mental health, and a preference for medication only to “numb the pain” while not addressing the root of the problem.

I can empathize and understand the barriers that limit us from seeking mental health treatment. In addition, finding a therapist that can provide quality treatment and understand me as an individual is another barrier when seeking mental health services.
It can be a lonely and difficult process to get the help we need.

As a mental health provider, I emphasize on the importance of being authentic and professional with my clients. That is why I create a space for my clients to be comfortable with discussing their mental health concerns while they show up as their “authentic self” in sessions. I help clients that are motivated to meet their mental health goals and we work together as a team to get results within my scope of practice and specialization.

In conclusion, being able to look at my life journey and share how strong it made me and how I have used it to help others in my career “is as real as it gets”. “It hits differently” when using my personal experience and education as an inspiration to help others in my career. That is why, I’m passionate about helping others because there is hope to push through and succeed just as I have done in my life. We just need a little help along the way.

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

I am a Psychotherapist and female business owner. My private practice is Awardwellness Psychotherapy Services. I graduated from Loyola Marymount University and have 11 years of experience in the Mental Health field. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor ( LPCC) and licensed in California, Florida, Oregon, and Washington. I specialize in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. I am certified in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Mindfulness Therapy. I provide Telehealth services via video and via telephone to make therapy readily accessible for my clients.

Therapeutic services provided are individual therapy and services are out of pocket. My private practice is also contracted with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Award Psychotherapy Services also collaborates with Equinox to host wellness events by providing psychoeducation about the importance of mental health and to discuss research findings about the positive effects of physical fitness on mental health. I am passionate about teaching the community about mental health and erasing the stigma that comes with mental health services.

There is a stigma about therapy which makes it difficult for people to seek help. I understand that culturally we have our personal beliefs about mental health, generational beliefs about mental health, and a preference for medication only to “numb the pain” while not addressing the root of the problem.

I can empathize and understand the barriers that limit us from seeking mental health treatment. In addition, finding a therapist that can provide quality treatment and understand me as an individual is another barrier when seeking mental health services.
It can be a lonely and difficult process to get the help we need.

As a mental health provider, I emphasize on the importance of being authentic and professional with my clients. That is why I create a space for my clients to be comfortable with discussing their mental health concerns while they show up as their “authentic self” in sessions. I help clients that are motivated to meet their mental health goals and we work together as a team to get results within my scope of practice and specialization.

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?

Focus – You have to stay focused on what you want to achieve
Discipline – always working towards your goals
Ambition – have the willingness to accomplish your goals

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

I specialize in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma.
My ideal clients expierence symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, anxiety, difficulty focusing, worried mood, and muscle tension. Also clients that have experienced trauma.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Miguel Lozano
Mlozanophotography

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