Ashley Camacho

MA, NCC, LPC

Therapist

I began my work in the mental health field in 2013 while completing my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of Missouri. I have spent the past 11 years working in a variety of settings, including: inpatient psychiatric hospitals for children and adults, a residential care facility for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses, a substance abuse treatment facility for adult women, a maximum security prison housing adult males, and an outpatient facility for the treatment of first responders (Fire, EMS, Police, Dispatch, and Correctional Officers). I completed my Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and hope to continue my education at the doctoral level in the future.

I currently specialize in the treatment of first responders, working with a variety of issues including but not limited to: trauma/PTSD, substance use, relationship issues, anxiety, and anger management. I utilize mindfulness, psychoeducation, validation, and active listening in session to maintain that my clients feel heard, while exploring effective coping skills to navigate any current challenges.

My passion for therapy took off in high school after I lost a friend to suicide. I struggled immensely with grief, guilt, and understanding how someone so silly and free-spirited on the outside could have felt so low on the inside. I realized through attending my own therapy, how important it is to have open, honest conversations about mental health and suicide. I walk alongside my clients as they begin to have new, eye-opening conversations about mental health on their own journeys.

I am eclectic in my approach using a combination of CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based methods. I believe in providing a supportive and validating space while also encouraging the reframing of negative thought processes to help my clients get “unstuck” from whatever undesirable pattern is holding them back from being the best version of themselves.

Top Specialties

First responders

Substance Use

Trauma and PTSD

Expertise

Addiction

Anger Management

Anxiety

Alcohol Use

Bipolar Disorder

Coping Skills

Domestic Abuse

Depression

Drug Abuse

Infidelity

Narcissistic Personality

Relationship issues

Self-esteem

Stress

Veterans

If someone was to ask you what they should know before going - what would you tell them?

Talking to an unfamiliar person and being expected to be vulnerable with them can feel scary, and it can also be an extremely rewarding process. Everyone deserves a space to speak freely with a non-judgmental, objective listener who is there for YOU, which is why even therapists have therapists!

Fun Fact

My husband and I are MARVEL nerds and have a Pitt/Husky mix named Banner (after Bruce Banner-the Hulk!)

If you were an emoji (or series of emoji's), which one(s)?

🌻🍝🌶️🧘‍♀️🎧🏝️👻☕️