Ashley Adams
Ashley Adams has her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Child-Centered Play Therapy from the University of North Texas. Ashley is now in pursuit of her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University. She is also member of Chi Sigma Iota, the international and professional academic honor society for counseling students, counselor educators, and professional counselors.
Ashley’s Master’s level training has prepared her to counsel children, adolescents and adults as well as families. She is experienced in working one on one and in a group setting. Ashley provides parenting education using Child Parent Relationship Training and Child Teacher Relationship Training. She also works with child clients in the public school system.
During her undergraduate studies, Ashley worked as a recreational supervisor at a juvenile detention center for boys ages 7-17 in Grove City. Ashley values culturally competent communication skills and trauma-informed approaches when working with clients. While attaining her Master’s degree, Ashley worked as a counseling intern at Cancer Care Services in Fort Worth, TX providing services to cancer patients, survivors, and their family members. She also worked as a counselor intern at the university mental health center.
Ashley has experience working in nonprofit organizations and is excited to bring her skills to private practice. Ashley is self-driven, motivated, and always looking forward to learning new things. Her strengths include empathy, compassion, and active listening. She has experience working in a self-contained special education classroom. She also worked with Fort Worth ISD Child Find Program assisting in evaluations for special education and or other academic accommodations. While at the University of North Texas she assisted in providing academic accommodations for university college students for two years.
Ashley typically works from a Person-Centered Theory perspective. She believes the client-counselor therapeutic relationship is necessary and sufficient for progress to occur. Person-Centered Theory uses a non-directive approach to talk and play therapy. Person-Centered Theory allows clients to take more of a lead in the discussion so that, in the process, they will discover their own solutions. Ashley acts as a compassionate facilitator, listening without judgment and acknowledging your experience without moving the conversation in another direction. Ashley encourages, supports, and guides her clients through the therapeutic process of self-discovery. When working with child clients Ashley uses Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). CCPT is a developmentally responsive mental health intervention for young children ages 3 to 10. Ashley uses CCPT to fully accept, empathize and understand child clients’ inner experiences and feelings through play.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows on Netflix and reading Shakespearian plays. Since her big move from Texas to Pittsburgh, she is looking for the best spots in town for pizza! Ashley also works for the biggest cheerleading company in the country, Varsity Spirit. Ashley spends her summers as a head instructor at cheerleading camps around all around the country. She also takes an opportunity to travel to new and exciting places!
How to Get Started
Ashley provides in-person therapy in our Pittsburgh office. You can reach us at 412-322-2129 or contact us here.