Ashleigh Cole, MS
Clinical Areas of Interest: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, identity issues, trauma/PTSD, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Domestic Violence (DV), Borderline Personality Disorder, emotional dysregulation, chronic suicidality, non-suicidal self-injury, eating disorders, women’s issues
Treatments Provided: Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Strengths-Based, Solution-Focused, Humanistic, Positive Psychology
Education: MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Trauma and Crisis specialization; Walden University, anticipated 2024); MS Forensic Psychology (Victim Advocacy specialization; Walden University, 2021)
Private pay fee: $50 per individual session (sliding scale sometimes offered); rate will increase to $100/session in November 2024.
Ashleigh Cole (she/her) is currently earning her second master's degree at Walden University's CACREP-accredited program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after deciding to take her passion for victim advocacy further in helping minds, bodies, and souls heal. She is under the supervision of Upaya's Director, Amanda Bittner, PHD and able to see clients (18+) located in either Missouri or Illinois. After experiencing her own life-altering events, Ashleigh vowed to dictate the writing of her own story and help others who look like her, to rewrite theirs. She is dedicated to becoming a Black counselor so that the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) population has proper representation and support.
Ashleigh wants her clients to know that even the strongest need support. Vulnerability can be difficult, especially when one is taught it is a sign of weakness. She believes that when we accept and learn new strategies to manage complicated emotions and harmful thought patterns, we begin to value our strengths, and only then can things start to change. Clients can expect a focus on enhancing congruency, empowerment, and self-actualization with Ashleigh. She works with all gender identities and especially enjoys helping women find their voice and take control over their autonomy through strength-based therapy that encourages becoming her own hero. Using CBT, solution-focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Ashleigh works with clients to break down barriers and achieve goals. Ashleigh is on the DBT Team at Upaya and is pursuing core certification by the state of Missouri's Department of Mental Health.
When Ashleigh is not seeing clients or studying, she is doing family time with her son: crafting, painting, and exploring nature. She loves creating clean skincare beauty and home products; it is one of her favorite self-care rituals. Ashleigh is a major Olivia Benson (Law & Order SVU) fan and loves anything related to true crime, forensics, or science. Please reach out if you are interested in doing therapy with Ashleigh by contacting us below or calling 314-252-0675.