Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Nollenberger.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, thank you so much for having me! My professional story started with a decision in undergrad at North Georgia College and State University to follow my heart and change my major from biology (pre-pharmacy) to psychology. Several personal life events (i.e., a family member’s suicide attempt and unexpected losses) affirmed this choice, which had been sparked as a 14-year-old girl navigating her parents’ divorce. Fast forward through graduate school (MS from University of North Georgia in Clinical Mental Health Counseling), completing the required three years of supervision at a treatment center for opiate dependency and working at a group practice, I made another big directional decision and stepped out in faith and courage to begin my own practice at the onset of a global pandemic in June 2020. Here, one and a half years later, I couldn’t feel more humbled and grateful for the practice I have been blessed to cultivate.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has definitely been wrought with detours, bumps and sharp curves. I find something to be grateful for in each unforeseen challenge, as it all led me to where I am presently in my career, which is honestly somewhere I never imagined.
I found myself feeling heavy laden and nearing burnout with the weight of working exclusively with substance use disorder on a daily basis for three years after grad school. The treatment center was an invaluable stepping stone for me towards working in a group practice. I became discouraged and uncertain of where to go next, as I applied tirelessly to multiple practices and organizations only to keep facing the same response of reconsideration after receiving LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). You can imagine my surprise and relief when one practice reached back out to me in August 2017 to discuss working together as I awaited LPC status.
I began seeing clients at the group practice in February 2018 as I continued working at the treatment center through May 2018. Despite diligent and thorough efforts, I faced some delays in achieving full licensure status due to the misplacement of my application somewhere within The Office of Georgia Secretary of State. In September 2018, I finally became an LPC, at which point I began the credentialing process to become an in-network provider with many major insurance providers. This can be a rather untimely process, so I continued to build my caseload with private paying clients, too. As I worked to comply with contractual obligations, including maintaining a certain caseload to receive desired compensation percentages, I began to feel discord in how I wanted to work with my clients and what I felt was expected. I gained so much knowledge about this profession and made several friendships with other clinicians, which I cherish deeply, from this season of my career. My dream had always been to work at a group practice until it wasn’t what I had dreamt of anymore.
I felt the stir to start my own practice in February 2020 and I wrestled with it greatly. I had never before considered having my own practice and I believed that it could be the best way to ensure the environment, quality of care and professionality I had began dreaming of. While it was not the easiest decision, it did feel simple, which is something I discuss frequently with my clients: often the best choices are simple, though rarely easy. The hard work of this decision included submitting my resignation, informing my colleagues and clients, working out my notice and sorting through the logistics of breaking my contract with the group practice. The reward of having so many clients choose to take the step of faith with me and continue our work together is something I cannot describe justly. I learned that dreams can change and while the road wasn’t smooth, it was worthwhile.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and I work with individuals ages 16 years and older, as well as couples. I specialize in working with clients navigating life stage transitions, including grief and loss, as well as mental health experiences of depression, anxiety and adjustment disorder. I also assist clients facing trauma disorders, anger management and disordered eating. When requested, I provide Christian counseling services. I am also an LGBTQ+ ally. I have noted feedback from clients that it can be challenging to find LGBTQ+ ally providers, and especially Christian counseling services as part of the LGBTQ+ community, which I feel is something that sets my practice apart from others as I provide both. I am proud of my strong work ethic and commitment to responding to every contact (existing clients and new inquiries) promptly and with the most extensive assistance, I am able to provide.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The big takeaway has been that we are all navigating this together, whether we want to or not. We were all faced with innumerable choices and we could choose to lean in, utilizing and supporting one another or lean out, isolating and hurting (unintentionally and/or intentionally) one another. We have all been impacted, facing experiences of grief, transition and to some degree, anxiety. I feel the lesson of “what you feed will grow” has been illuminated during the COVID-19 Crisis. I have attempted to “feed” wellness, respect, authenticity, vulnerability and humility, as a start.
Contact Info:
- Email: ashley@amncounseling.com
- Website: www.amncounseling.com
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/385561
