Ashley Harden

LPC

She | Her | Hers

Anxiety | Depression | Life Transitions | Romantic & Non-Romantic Relationships | Identity Exploration | Musicians & Creatives | ADHD | Grief & Loss | Veterans | Perfectionism | High Performance Work | Spirituality

From an early age, I was drawn to understanding human emotions and the ways in which people navigate life and its challenges. After joining the military and recognizing the value in simply being someone that was willing to listen, I was able to realize my passion for people which ultimately led me to pursue a degree at Grand Canyon University. There, I studied psychology with an emphasis on performance and sports psychology. Later, I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. My journey into the field of mental health was fueled by a deep desire to help others navigate life’s challenges, whether big or small. Prior to joining Empowered, I gained valuable experience working in high-pressure environments while in the Navy and as an Audio Engineer after separating from the military. In these spaces, I honed my skills in communicating with others but more importantly, listening and learning about others’ stories. I view audio engineering as both an art and a science and I believe these two words also encapsulate my approach to therapy. As an engineer my job is to understand technical information and systems while also being creative in my approach and creating an environment that allows the artist that I am working with to feel seen and heard both sonically and emotionally.

In my practice, I work with adults across their lifespan as they navigate the ups and downs of life which often includes challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, perfectionistic tendencies and meaningful relationships. I truly believe that a lot of healing can happen in community with others. We are relational beings and because of this, I find it important to work with clients who are navigating challenges in various types of relational dynamics including familial, romantic, friendship, and professional. I am particularly passionate about working with creatives in any form as well as black and brown women exploring their role in their relationships and larger society and the impact of perfectionism and mental and emotional wellbeing. My approach is collaborative, meaning that I truly believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and that this relationship is the biggest contributing factor to success in therapy. I believe that therapy is inherently political because mental health is inextricably linked to systemic power, identity, and access to resources.

I am excited to act as a compassionate yet direct guide that assists you in accomplishing your goals. I can’t promise that we won’t laugh in session (I’m hilarious, at least by my own standards!). I want to know who you are and that means more than only what troubles you. What makes you laugh is just as important as what makes you cry. What gets you excited about the day even if that feeling doesn’t come as frequently as you would like? I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, narrative techniques, and person-centered therapy as well as a deep appreciation for IFS and parts work, I attempt to work with clients not only to remove things they don’t like but also incorporate what they find most important into their daily life. I am level 1 Gottman trained and tailor sessions to meet each client’s unique needs. I utilize these approaches to ensure that clients have the tools and support to move forward with confidence. Therapy with me is not just about exploring struggles—it’s about growth, insight, and finding ways to thrive while becoming more authentically you based on your own values and vision for yourself.

While I am sure we are different in many ways, my experiences have solidified my understanding of the late Dr. Maya Angelou’s words “ We are more alike than we are unalike”. I look forward to walking alongside you and your journey toward healing, self-discovery, and becoming more YOU!