Ashley Vaden

Do you ever feel like your emotions get the best of you? Do you wonder why you have little, if any, control over how you feel? Do you think that you’re on auto-pilot?

If you’re a parent, do you worry that your child or teenager hasn’t found their voice? Do you want them to believe in themselves more? Do you find yourself just wanting them to find joy in the little moments?

Our emotions communicate important needs and wants. As an example, anxiety is often an adaptive and dare I say normal response to stress, life events, and trauma. But for some of us and our loved ones, worry becomes so big and overwhelming that we are left with little clues or insight as to why. We cannot be present in our daily tasks, and more importantly, we cannot be our best selves and connect meaningfully with others. When we are not aware of our needs, or we identify too heavily with our emotions, we miss out on the fullness that life has to offer.

As a marriage and family therapist, I feel passionately about helping children, teens, and adults put anxiety in its place. I believe in teaching individuals and families tools to honor and comprehend emotions, so that we can be more present in our relationships, and know ourselves more deeply. Embedded within each of us is the ability to love ourselves, and therefore be our best selves, and I am dedicated to helping others along that journey of self-exploration, mastery, and connectivity.

My specialties include:

Children and Teens With Anxiety

Self-Harm in Children and Adolescents

Emotional Dysregulation

Adults With Work-Related Anxiety and Stress

Chronic Pain Conditions

Building Inner Strength, Trust, and Intuition

My clients would describe my approach as:

Nurturing

Warm

Solution-focused

I believe in a creative, holistic, and solution-focused approach to helping others live full lives; my mission is to teach my client’s skills that they can carry with them throughout their journey. I have several years’ clinical experience working with teens and families in crisis and feel happiest when I am providing hope and guidance in times of chaos. Originally from Louisville, I’ve traveled and lived in North Carolina and New York as well as abroad. I love animals, reading, yoga, and listening to podcasts.