Ashley Hutchens, LICSW, LCSW

Ashley Hutchens is a licensed clinical social worker who supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, and life changes. She has seven years of experience in community mental health and helps people manage grief, trauma, addictions, and intimacy or self-esteem struggles. Ashley emphasizes small, steady changes that can lead to clearer thinking and better day-to-day functioning.

Her approach blends practical therapy methods that focus on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and shift unhelpful thinking. Mindfulness techniques are used to build awareness of emotions and reduce reactivity.

Ashley also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Motivational Interviewing is used when people want support finding motivation for change. She incorporates the Gottman Method to address communication and relationship patterns.

In sessions she aims to create a calm, respectful space for people to talk through concerns and, when needed, to tell a trauma story at a pace that feels manageable. Her social work background informs a focus on practical solutions that connect with family, community, and health needs.

Based in West Virginia, she offers counseling in English. Prospective clients who are outside the United States should confirm whether services are available for their location before booking.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Ashley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice how thoughts affect mood and behavior, then practice new ways of thinking and acting to reduce anxiety or depression. Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers concrete skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple exercises to increase awareness of thoughts and bodily sensations and to reduce reactivity.

Finding the right approach is a joint effort. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, symptoms, and daily life and then suggest which methods to try first. Plans can be adjusted over time so the work matches what the person needs and prefers.

Confirm which session formats are offered before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Some people find video useful for practicing interpersonal skills, while phone or audio sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or a quicker check-in is preferred. Licensed professionals can help decide which format best fits current needs and routines.