Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rhys
Hi Ashley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Where d0 I begin. My name is Ashley Rhys, MS, LMFT, EMDR-C. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and a Trauma Therapist. I was born in Ft Myers, Florida, but was quickly moved from Florida to Los Angeles California at the age of 2 months old with my 2 year old Sister and Birth Mother at the time. I was placed in the arms of my Maternal Grandparents and never left, while My Birth Mother went back to Florida with my Sister. I never knew my Biological Father and as I grew up I found out that I was 1 of 7 children. My Mother leaving caused abandonment issues, depression, and anxiety that would later catch up to me especially in my 20s. At the age of 5, my Maternal Grandparents adopted me and we moved to Belize, Central America where my Grandparents were born and raised. I had a great childhood despite questioning my worth and wondering why my Birth Mother didn’t want me, but that later changed when I went to college and was able to ask her all the questions I needed that started my healing journey. Living in Belize taught me so many lessons about humility, helping others in need, and realizing that I wanted to one day be a Therapist. In Belize, I had a great education that when I graduated High School and then Community College, I was ready to come back to America to pursue my future career. I attended Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga in 2008 and received my Bachelors and Masters within 6 years and never left the “Deep South”. I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, but I knew something was missing. I wasn’t happy and I realized I did not heal any of the trauma and childhood wounds even though I was considered “successful” in today’s society. I was determined to see my own Therapist and do the work necessary to heal myself, especially when I thought other people could make me happy, being in toxic/abusive relationships, not feeling safe, not even liking myself, and realizing that this whole time I was tucking my thoughts/feelings far away so didn’t have to deal with them. How often do we do that as a Black Community. And as I was doing my healing work I realized not only how much healing I needed to do, but how much my community needed it too despite the continuous stigma of mental health. After years of working in various Therapeutic agencies, private practices, shelters, and even an inpatient facility for teens I realized it was time to build my own private practice (Positive Mindset Counseling Services). And even though I was scared I did it anyway, tears and all. One day as I was praying I realized as Black Women we take ourselves for granted and generationally this has been passed down. I thought about how often my Great Grandmother, Grandmother, and Mother put themselves first for a change. And the answer was NEVER. I soon came up with the idea that Black Women needed safe spaces for ourselves to be free, while we heal all of the generational and current trauma that we experienced. And as much as we want to say that we are “strong” and “I’m good”, we are really not and it is a cover up for the tsunami that is waiting to wipe us out. Needless to say the little girl in me was ready and it was not easy, but I couldn’t wait on anyone to save me. I had to save myself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Obstacles/Challenges I faced were, at times doubting myself and not trusting the process. God is a huge factor in my life and how I proceed in my decision making. At times it can be hard to be still and trust God, but for years I struggled with Depression and Anxiety thinking someone would save me. I also struggled with loving myself and that was due to my Birth Mother just not being accessible because of her own struggles, but I will never regret being taken to my Maternal Grandparents. I would not be who I am if it were not for them, but being adopted and not being around my siblings was a struggle. I am so happy that I was able to overcome those challenges and tell my story. There is of course so much to tell, but I am truly blessed. I think it is important for people to know that obstacles/challenges are just an opportunity for you to grow and keep going even if you have to pivot.
As you know, we’re big fans of Head to Body Retreat. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Head to Body Retreat is a retreat business that hosts self care events and wellness retreats for Black Women. I started this business because through my own experiencing of trauma, depression, and anxiety I realized I needed more than just trying to figure things on my own, and that having a community to heal myself was important in the process. I have been a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist for 12 years specializing in trauma, Depression, Anxiety, & Racial Issues. All issues that I’ve noticed our community struggles with and I wanted to teach Black Women on how to empower and heal themselves, especially when I learnt how to do it for myself. I learnt that regulating our nervous systems with breathing techniques, sound bath sessions, going out in nature, moving my body( e.g.- dancing, walking, yoga, etc), and meditations helped me and my clients to be more present. When we are anxious we are not being present in our bodies and we can feel that. Some people feel that in their gut, chest, get headaches, pain, etc, and that is the body’s way of saying that something is wrong and we need to do something about it. That is what sets us apart from other retreat business and we are truly intentional about everything that we do to make sure that everyone that comes to our events and retreats leave feeling at peace, rejuvenated, relaxed, and free as they learn new ways to live, while diving into a community of other Black Women that just get it and are truly supportive of each other. We don’t have to sit in “stuckness”. So often, we tell ourselves that ” this is just who I am” and it doesn’t have to be that way as you live in misery. I am really proud about bringing my many years of knowledge, skills, and my own personal journey to help other Black Women. I want my readers to know that sharing space with us is a beginning to being the best version of yourself. We all have a part of us that needs to go in order to heal, so why not start with us?
I am also an Energy Healer as well, so I provide Reiki Services and sound bath sessions (Individual & Group). I have an upcoming immersive self-care event called “Out of your Head & Into Your Body” October 11th-12th, 2024. We will have vendors, speakers, panelists, workshops, goodie bags, prizes, tons of fun and much more. The night before the self-care event, we have an amazing pool sound bath session + a Dinner Mixer to kick off the sisterhood festivities .We also have our WInter Retreat coming up February 20th-23rd, 2025 in North Georgia, where we will dive deeper with a 4 day 3 night stay of amazing workshops, morning yoga & sound bowls sessions, meals, sisterhood, and an opportunity to just put yourself first as you enjoy the nature trails and beautiful waterfall. I also have a 7 day retreat to my homeland Belize, Central America. I can’t wait to show people about the country I grew up in as it will aid in the healing of so many. So often as Black Women we put ourselves last and we continue to put ourselves in the “Strong Woman” box, but that is literally killing us. This is an opportunity to put you as a priority.
You can go to www.headtobodyretreat.com to check out all self care events and retreats. We would love to have you!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I want readers to know that whatever it is that they are going through they can transform and heal. And yes, it can be challenging, scary, and overwhelming but when you have the right support system and community it makes a huge difference. I also want the readers to know that it was a journey for me to get here and I am continuing to learn about myself and what I am capable of doing but not giving up on myself. My prayer is that everyone will continue to fight to heal and to be better so that life becomes more rewarding. Happiness is found on the inside by the work you do, not by external objects and other people. So keep going and if you have to pivot, do that too!
Pricing:
- Reiki $100
- Sound Bath Sessions $80-$200
- Breathwork Session $80
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.headtobodyretreat.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headtobodyretreat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/headtobodyretreat
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@headtobodyretreat
Image Credits
By: Bethany Erby & Brianna Mcclain
