Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Taylor (they/them/theirs or she/her/hers).
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
“Growing up in the midwest, I was ready for something different — taking me on a journey to five states and multiple universities before completing my bachelor’s degree in 2012. Eventually landing in New Mexico, where I began to find my pace and rooted into my community. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish and later my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling at the University of New Mexico. About midway through my master’s degree, my partner received an opportunity in Austin, Texas. I followed shortly after completing my graduate program.
Getting to Austin, I was excited about the possibilities while still feeling homesick. I loved living near the mountains with the smell of roasting chiles and the established community in Albuquerque. I was hopeful that Austin would be the new place I called home. I began my job search, and shortly after, I landed an interview with the Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team (MOT). I was later offered the position as a Mental Health First Responder. I was ready for it! MOT offered crisis mental health response in conjunction with Williamson County Services such as emergency management services (EMS), the fire department, and law enforcement. We were dispatched anywhere in the county – schools, homes, local businesses, out in the field, anywhere. I learned so much in this role and was supported by an amazing team of mental health professionals as I found my bearings of mobile response and working with folks in crisis. I learned how our local, wider systems work – hospital systems, emergency services (law enforcement, EMS, and Fire), social services, and housing. This role was one of the most impactful opportunities I have ever had. On the other hand, I realized I missed doing long-term therapy with people.
With this awareness, I shifted my focus to long-term therapeutic work. I reintegrated to this type of work at a couple of group therapy practices and continued towards full licensure. In May 2019, I completed my provisional licensing hours, received my LPC (full licensure), and Ashley Taylor Counseling PLLC opened. In the process of building my business, there have been a plethora of ups, downs, and learning curves.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I think back to my counseling program, I remember feeling uncertain, vulnerable, excited, drained, and eager. I was continually reflecting on who I was, diagnosing myself with everything in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), deconstructing my family dynamics, and feeling energized when I deeply connected with another human as they shared their story in a way I have never experienced. In this period of my life, I felt as though imposter syndrome was on repeat. It was through the support of my family, partner, friends, and classmates that kept me going.
Following the completion of my graduate program, I traversed the mountain of gaining my provisional license. For provisionally Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), you must complete 3000 hours of direct and indirect client contact along with supervision from a fully licensed LPC supervisor. One of the biggest hurdles was navigating the job market in a new state where I didn’t have any connections and were finding an employer who hired provisionally licensed counselors was few and far between. I completed several interviews, rewrote my resume, and joined networking groups to build more connections in my new state. There was no movement on the job front; with such little traction, it felt like I had hit a wall. During that period, I experienced an immense amount of negative self-talk – Why wasn’t I hirable? What was I doing wrong? I felt depressed and unmotivated. I ended up taking a trip with my family, and this re-energized me for my job search. Upon my return, this refocused energy paid off.
I had a job interview the following week, and I was offered the position after a day-long evaluation. I felt invigorated that Austin was where I was supposed to be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ashley Taylor Counseling is an inclusive mental health practice that provides telehealth counseling to individuals 15 years and older and couples with specialties in anxiety, relationship challenges, and identity. As a queer therapist, I work frequently with 2SLGBQIA+ and trans community who may be exploring sexuality, gender, or other elements of their life. A major focus of my work is finding how you live boldly. Living boldly is the act of embracing daily who you are. In my work, I help people restore self-confidence, worth, and compassion through curiosity, humor, and action. I would describe myself as soft and direct in getting each client where they want to go.
When I am not doing therapy, I am enjoying the latest reality TV show, being outside, snuggling my fur babies, reading or listening to the latest true crime book or podcast, and pretending to know the lyrics to the song on the radio as I sing them loudly in my car. I identify as a human first, therapist second.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To pace myself. I tend to be interested in a lot of things. By finding my pace, I can do things in a more sustainable way. Pacing myself looks like getting enough sleep, eating regularly, drinking water, movement, and taking time for rest. Pacing also looks like not over-scheduling myself or starting multiple projects simultaneously. At times, I still struggle with finding my pace, and I am trusting the process through these awarenesses. I continue to become more aware in the subtle ways that impact finding my pace. That’s the beauty of it. I can always adjust my pace by checking in with myself. In the continued practice of pacing myself, I reduce the chances of burnout, which is really common in the mental health field. I want to make this work sustainable, that starts with checking in and finding my pace.
Pricing:
- $150 for 50 minute individual/couples session
- $225 for 75 minute individual/couples session
- $50 for 75 minute group therapy session
- $150 for 50 minute session for letter of support for gender affirming surgeries
Contact Info:
- Email: info@AshleyTaylorCounseling.com
- Website: www.AshleyTaylorCounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleytaylorcounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyTaylorCounseling/
Image Credits:
Photography (head shots + desk photo + book photo) by Evan Slagle, http://tinyurl.com/ESDesign-Home Mural Arts for headshots created by: Charlotte Barbini, Janet Fulk, Janet Oh, and Tracie Storie Living Boldly photo credit: Canva, Getty Images Signature Couple holding each other photo Credit: FatCamera from Getty Images Signature
