Aetna Therapists in Howard County, MD

Are you suffering from symptoms of depression, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, autism spectrum, OCD, and/or PTSD? I'm here to help facilitate your healing process and provide a safe space to voice your deepest concerns freely. Our goal is to significantly improve your self-concept, increase a positive outlook on life, and, most importantly, feel like your best self.

Do you experience anxiety, including social fear and avoidance? Do you feel anxious in romantic relationships or just want to feel less worried and depressed? I get it! Does your angst leave you feeling empty, angry and irritable? Life can be absolutely overwhelming and actually scary, at times, especially when stress piles up and we’re trying to juggle a career, a marriage and parenting. Unhealed wounds and traumatic experiences from our past wreak havoc on our present and we don’t know how to repair the damage. But there are answers!

Feeling depressed, anxious or lost in your life? Struggling to find happiness? Having behavioral issues with children at home and in school? I work with adults, children and families specializing in depression, anxiety, self-esteem, adjustment issues, as well as household strife and behavioral issues.

I have a unique therapeutic style; I would consider my style a mixture of client-centered/ solution focus based therapy. I alter my techniques to best fit the client I am serving at the time. I tend to use non-traditional methods to address your concerns and tackle different aspects of your mental health.

I work with those struggling with confidence/self-esteem/self-compassion, those interested in working on emotion identification and regulation, and those struggling with inattentiveness/focus difficulties. I help those who want to build up their coping skills toolkit. I am interested in working with those striving to identify and live aligned with their values and eager to engage in therapy. I am comfortable with people who might be the first generation willing to engage and trust the therapeutic relationship. I want to work with someone who wants to find balance and acceptance in a life of suffering and joy.

Therapy opens a door to new awareness and growth as we give ourselves permission to understand our needs and feelings. It has been an honor for me to be a part of this process and to witness the courage, integrity and resiliency of the human spirit. Over the last several decades, I have worked with adolescents, adults, couples and families, helping them to identify the blind spots we sometimes have that block our inner truths. I have been privileged to guide this process by creating a safe space and facilitating the hard work of self exploration and self revelation that leads to improved self care.

With the demands life makes on us, sometimes it becomes too much. The same way we go to the doctor for physical ailments, sometimes we need assistance managing our mental and emotional wellbeing. Do you need support as you balance the many roles you have in your life? Have you noticed your physical health being impacted by the stress? Maybe you've had huge milestones or life events happen and are having a hard time adjusting? Or maybe you've been hearing buzz phrases like 'self care' and are wondering what that looks like beyond home spa days?

I love working with clients who are serious about getting better, willing to engage in introspection, attempt to display consistency, and who struggle with their self-esteem.

Are you feeling hopeless, or more lethargic than usual? Have you recently experienced a loss/death? Are you experiencing difficulties adjusting to a new environment? If your answer to any of these questions is "Yes", or have questions of your own, it may be time to reach out and talk through those thoughts and feelings.

If you’ve made it to this website you probably already have a sense that something in your life is keeping you stuck or just isn’t working for you. Perhaps you’ve tried therapy before, or maybe this is your first time reaching out for help. Either way, you’ve come to the right place! I have 8 years of training and experience working with clients to address a broad range of psychological symptoms, with expertise in treating ADHD, anxiety, and addiction. I take an integrative approach to treatment, using strategies grounded in science and tailored to your individual strengths and interests.

I believe that people have the ability to change and reach their greatest potential. My role as a therapist is to encourage personal growth and help clients to reexamine their thoughts and feelings, gain insight into the underlying purpose behind their behavior and their goals for living, and ultimately to effect positive life changes.

Do you grapple with an unshakeable sense of discontentment, feeling that something vital is missing in life? Do you recognize a void within yourself despite your achievements that is driving you to seek therapy? Do you seek to unravel the complexities of your identity, motivations, and desires, hoping to uncover the root cause of your dissatisfaction? You may want to address surface-level issues and embark on a journey of self-exploration and understanding. I specialize in anxiety, depression, college mental health, ADHD, and life transitions, making me equipped to address a wide range of concerns.

All of us experience stressful, emotionally challenging times throughout our lives, and sometimes we struggle to effectively cope with these challenges. In these situations, it can be very helpful to reach out for help. Seeking help is not always an easy step to take, and you doing so now is a demonstration of your strength. I help my clients develop their understanding of themselves as unique individuals within the context of their life, their relationships and society as a whole, and to identify and work toward their goals for change.

I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and families. Most of my experience has been with younger clients facing trauma, depression, anxiety, loss and family crisis. I believe it is important for me to have a collaborative professional relationship with each client so that we can collectively meet the client's needs.

Ashley Reid is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland and a Registered Art Therapist who has been practicing since 2017. She has a Master’s in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling from Seton Hill University. Ashley’s approach to therapy is eclectic and creative with an emphasis on person-centered therapy. She incorporates techniques from trauma-informed practices, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), compassion-based therapy, and mindfulness as well as other therapeutic approaches. Ashley will do her best to meet your unique therapeutic goals.

Glad you found me and I look forward to working with you! I enjoy working directly with people to allow a deeper connection on a personal level whether you're new to therapy or not. I actively engage honestly and authentically in the counseling and healing process, exploring and addressing issues directly as they arise. I allow time for deeper understanding as the counseling process unfolds. I have been a successful clinical social work therapist for many years, working with a wide range of both hearing and deaf people (I sign fluently) on individual, children, youth, couple, and family issues. I also supervise other clinicians.

Do you want to increase self-awareness, reduce symptoms of anxiety/depression, improve communication & relationships within your family, process grief, find balance in your maternal role, and learn effective stress management techniques? Ultimately, do you want to regain control over your life and cultivate greater resilience and happiness? My primary goal is to provide my clients with coping strategies, build resilience, foster a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships, & create a more fulfilling life.

My ideal client presents depressive symptoms related to trauma & grief. They express that they want to process unresolved childhood issues. They express that the issues have prevented close relationships with their adult children. They want forgiveness and help in creating better ties. The goal may be to explore & resolve issues related to traumatic events and improve overall mood. Interventions may include sharing details of the event and how it has affected their relationships, using positive self-talk, developing positive coping skills, and identifying effective strategies to communicate thoughts and feelings.

In working with families and individuals, I use both traditional psychotherapies such as positive psychology, psychodynamic techniques, and cognitive and behavioral therapies. In addition, I am trained in mind/body techniques such as EMDR and hypnosis. I also believe in the healing connections we make with nature and will often use pet therapy in assisting my clients to reach their goals.