Ash West received their undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman University in Psychology with minors in mental health and criminology. They completed their graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia while specializing in affirmative sex-positive counseling for alternative relationship dynamics. Ash is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II. They have been trained in EMDR and AFFIRMative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and uses these approaches to work with trauma and create a safe, affirming therapeutic alliance.
Ash has spent their clinical career working with a diverse range of populations and is passionate about advocacy and ending mental health stigma. They work from a humanistic perspective meaning that they place a strong emphasis on personal and emotional growth, authenticity, and client empowerment. Ash believes that growth occurs when we accept ourselves as the experts on our own lives and embrace our authentic selves. They seek to use the therapeutic relationship to help clients find and accept the best possible version of themselves. Therapy is collaborative is nature and, Ash seeks to meet all clients where they are in the moment with empathy and non-judgement.